DocumentClosedother
Procedure before the Court
Supreme Court of Appeal of South AfricaRef: https://www.supremecourtofappeal.org.za/index.php/2-uncategorised/4-procedure-before-the-court
Official source
Source domain: supremecourtofappeal.org.za
Collected on 9 July 2026
Always confirm details on the official source before acting.
What this means
This document is a webpage titled “Procedure before the Court” describing how the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa hears appeals. It states that the Court decides cases based on the record from the lower court and the written and oral arguments, and that witnesses do not appear before the Court. It also explains that parties need not be present during an appeal hearing, that written judgments are usually handed down shortly after argument, and that the Court can make its own factual findings because it hears appeals on fact.
Facts
Reference
https://www.supremecourtofappeal.org.za/index.php/2-uncategorised/4-procedure-before-the-court
Key Takeaways
- Court decides cases on the record of proceedings from the lower court
- Written and oral arguments are considered
- Witnesses do not appear before the Court
- Parties need not be present during appeal hearing
- Written judgment usually handed down shortly after argument
- Court hears appeals on fact and can make its own factual findings
- Judges must read the full record of lower-court proceedings
- Typical allocation: about 30 000 pages of evidence and exhibits per judge per year
- Judges are also allocated petitions for leave to appeal
- Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa
- Appellate Division
- Union of South Africa