Be informed about the law surrounding courts in South Africa. South Africa has a variety of courts that hear different cases:
- Constitutional Court – the highest court, their decision is final and cannot be changed by another court.
- Supreme Court of Appeal – except for the Constitutional Court, this is the highest court and only deals with cases sent from the High Courts. Decisions cannot be changed by any other court, except if it’s a constitutional matter.
- High Courts – only hear cases too serious for the Magistrate's Court, or appeals from them, or lower courts in their geographical jurisdiction.
- Magistrate’s Courts – the lower courts that deal with criminal and civil cases, divided into regional and district courts.
- Labour Courts and Labour Appeal Courts – deal with labour disputes between employees and employers and are the highest courts for labour matters.
- Small Claims Courts – hear civil matters involving an amount claimed of less than R15 000, This court does not have jurisdiction to hear the following matters: divorces, wills, malicious prosecution, unfair arrest, seduction, and breach of promise to marry.
(Please note: This is only general advice and should not be relied on solely. The law is complicated and there are many influencing factors that can change the above).