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Practice Directions

Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa

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 Practice Direction issued by the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (M.M. Maya) for the Supreme Court of Appeal on how virtual (telephone/video) hearings are to be conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. It supplements an earlier Practice Direction dated 24 April 2020, is made under delegated powers of the Chief Justice and the authority of the Heads of Court under the Superior Courts Act 10 of 2013, and takes effect immediately. Virtual hearings are the default, but the court’s permission (requested through the registrar) is required for proceedings to be dealt with virtually, and detailed rules cover platforms, participation, etiquette, testing, interruptions, recording, and media attendance.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

virtual court hearing accessClosed

Virtual hearing participation in the Supreme Court of Appeal

Parties to cases before the Supreme Court of Appeal may participate in virtual hearings via telephone or video conferencing platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Webex, or Zoom, provided they obtain the court’s permission through the registrar. The hearing must be conducted with solemnity, participants must robe, and technical requirements like background noise reduction and camera setup must be met.

Who it is for
parties to cases before the Supreme Court of Appeal, legal representatives, litigants in person
How to act on it
Request court permission through the registrar, agree on a platform at the outset of the case, provide contact details to the registrar, and ensure compliance with technical and conduct rules during the hearing.
Closes
17 March 2020
Show the line this came from
Virtual hearings are the default position until further direction.

Facts

Parties

Chief Justice and the authority

Key Takeaways

  • Practice Direction: Supreme Court of Appeal video or audio hearings during COVID-19 pandemic
  • Supplements Practice Direction issued on 24 April 2020
  • Made under delegated powers of the Chief Justice (directives dated 17 March 2020 and 17 April 2020) and s 8(4)(b) of the Superior Courts Act 10 of 2013
  • Comes into force with immediate effect
  • Virtual hearings are the default position until further direction
  • Virtual hearings may use telephone or video-web conferencing; platforms include Microsoft Teams, Webex, Zoom, or other appropriate means
  • Court permission via registrar is required for any part of proceedings to be virtual
  • Platform must be agreed at the outset of each case; parties must provide registrar with participants’ email addresses and WhatsApp contact details
  • Judges and legal representatives must robe; participants should follow courtroom-like solemnity and address rules
  • Participants must manage environment (reduce background noise; counsel/participants alone in secure room; camera/light positioning; blank wall backdrop)
  • Firewalls/security restrictions must be resolved before hearing; video/audio testing before judges join
  • Hearings start promptly; presiding judge will manage appearances and interruptions (including possible camera/mute rules)
  • All video/audio virtual hearings must be recorded; no party may record without court permission; host/organiser provides link to court website after hearing if hosted by legal representative
  • If virtual hearing cannot proceed, hearing may be stopped for technological glitches or a fresh hearing arranged
  • Media attendance accommodated where requested; media must contact the Registrar via presiding judge’s secretary
  • Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa
  • M.M. Maya (President of the Supreme Court of Appeal)
  • Chief Justice (delegated powers referenced)
  • Heads of Court
  • Registrar (of the Supreme Court of Appeal)
  • Presiding judge
  • Legal representatives
  • Media representatives
  • Superior Courts Act 10 of 2013

Dates

Closing Date (read from the document by Govermate)

17 March 2020