Govermate logoGovermate
Back to opportunities
DocumentClosedother

Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa other

Supreme Court of Appeal of South AfricaRef: https://www.supremecourtofappeal.org.za/index.php/about-us

Official source

Source domain: supremecourtofappeal.org.za

Collected on 9 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 21 July 2026)Official source

What this means

This document is the “About us” page for the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) of South Africa. It explains the constitutional basis for judicial authority, the SCA’s role in the justice system (including its relationship to the Constitutional Court), and the SCA’s composition, jurisdiction, and how appeals work (civil and criminal). It also describes appointment of SCA judges, the court’s procedure on appeal, and lists the SCA court terms (15 February–31 March, 1 May–31 May, 15 August–30 September, 1 November–30 November).

Facts

Places

Free State, Mangaung

Reference

https://www.supremecourtofappeal.org.za/index.php/about-us

Parties

Judicial authority, Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) of South Africa. It explains the constitutional basis

Key Takeaways

  • Document: SCA website “About us” page (Updated: February 2023)
  • Judicial authority: courts are independent; no person or organ of state may interfere with court functioning
  • SCA seat: Bloemfontein; sessions may be held elsewhere when expedient or in interests of justice
  • SCA composition: President, Deputy President, and judges of appeal determined by Act of Parliament; currently 23 permanently appointed judges plus President and Deputy President
  • SCA jurisdiction: hears appeals against High Court decisions; decisions bind lower courts
  • Civil appeals: no automatic right; leave to appeal required (from High Court or, if refused, from SCA); special leave required for certain appeals
  • Criminal appeals: no automatic right; leave required; further appeal only with special leave; National Director of Public Prosecutions may appeal against sentence with leave
  • Minister referral: Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development may refer certain criminal questions of law to the SCA; conflicting civil decisions may be referred to the Chief Justice for argument before Constitutional Court or SCA
  • Judge appointment: appointed by the President on advice of the Judicial Service Commission; President and Deputy President appointed by the President after consulting the JSC
  • SCA court terms: 15 Feb–31 Mar; 1 May–31 May; 15 Aug–30 Sep; 1 Nov–30 Nov
  • Contact/address shown: Cnr Mirriam Makeba & President Brand Streets, Bloemfontein 9301; +27 51 412 7400
  • Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa (SCA)
  • Constitutional Court
  • High Court
  • Magistrates' Courts
  • Chief Justice
  • President of the Republic of South Africa
  • Judicial Service Commission
  • Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development
  • National Director of Public Prosecutions
  • Bophutatswana
  • Union of South Africa