South African Judicial Education Institute Act

1. In this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise— (i) "Constitution" means the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; (ii) "Council" means the Council of the Institute established by section 6; (iii) "Department" means the Department of Justice and Constitutional Develop­ ment; (iv) "Director" means the Director appointed in terms of section 12(1); (v) "Director-General" means the head of the Department; (vi) "Institute" means the South African Judicial Education Institute established by section 3; (vii) "Minister" means the Cabinet member responsible for the administration of justice; (viii) "this Act" includes any guidelines issued under section 16. (cid:13) 4 No. 31437 Act No. 14, 2008 Objects of Act SOUTH AFRICAN JUDICIAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE ACT. 2008

2. The main objects of this Act are to establish a national education and training institution the to enhance transformation of the judiciary, in order to promote the implementation of the values mentioned in section 1 of the Constitution, and for that purpose to— judicial accountability and the judiciary so as for (a) provide proper, appropriate and transformational judicial education and to both our inherited legacy and our new training, having due regard constitutional dispensation; and (b) offer judicial education and training to aspiring and newly appointed judicial officers as well as continued training for experienced judicial officers. Establishment of Institute

3. There is hereby established a body to be known as the South African Judicial Education Institute, which— (a) (b) is a juristic person; and is responsible for the judicial education and training of judicial officers and aspiring judicial officers. Seat of Institute

4. The seat of the Institute is at a place to be determined by the Council with the concurrence of the Minister: Provided that the Institute may, with the approval of the Minister, also conduct its activities away from its seat. Functions of Institute

5. The functions of the Institute are— (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) to establish, develop, maintain and provide judicial education and profes­ sional training for judicial officers; to provide entry level education and training for aspiring judicial officers to enhance their suitability for appointment to judicial office; to conduct research into judicial education and professional training and to liaise with other judicial education and professional training institutions, persons and organisations in connection with the performance of its functions; to promote, through education and training, the quality and efficiency of services provided in the administration of justice in the Republic: to promote the independence, impartiality, dignity, accessibility and effective­ ness of the courts; and to render such assistance to foreign judicial institutions and courts as may be agreed upon by the Council. Establishment of Council

6. There is hereby established a Council responsible for the governance of the Institute. Composition of Council 7. (1) The Council comprises the Chief Justice as chairperson, the Deputy Chief Justice as deputy chairperson and the following other members: (a) The Minister or her or his nominee; (h) a judge of the Constitutional Court, designated by the Chief Justice after (c) (d) (e) consultation with the judges of the Constitutional Court; a judge or any other person designated by the Judicial Service Commission from among its ranks; the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal; two judges president and two other judges, at least one of whom must be a woman, designated by the Chief Justice after consultation with the judges president; (cid:13) 6 No. 31437 Act No. 14, 2008 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16 SEPTEMBER 2008 SOUTH AFRICAN JUDICIAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE ACT. 2008 (f) five magistrates, designated by the Magistrates Commission, and of whom— (i) at least two must be women; and (ii) two must be Regional Court Magistrates; (h) (i) (j) (k) (g) a judge who has been discharged from active service as contemplated in the Judges' Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Act, 2001 (Act No. 47 of 2001), designated by the Chief Justice in consultation with the Minister; the Director; one advocate designated by the General Council of the Bar of South Africa: one attorney designated by the Law Society of South Africa: two university teachers of law designated by the South African Law Deans Association; two other members who are not involved in the administration of justice, designated by the Minister after consultation with the Chief Justice; and (m) one traditional leader designated by the National House of Traditional Leaders referred to in the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act, 2003 (Act No. 41 of 2003). (l) (2) A member designated in terms of subsection (1 )(b), (c), (e), (f), (g), (i), (j), (k), (l) or (m) holds office as such a member for a period of live years, but such a member may be replaced— (i) (ii) in the case of a member designated in terms of subsection (l)(c). (f), (i), (j), (k), (l) or (m) by the designating person or body on written notice to the Chief Justice; or in the case of a member designated in terms of subsection (1)(b), (e) or(g). by the Chief Justice after consultation with the persons required to be consulted in respect of the designation in question. (3) Any member referred to in subsection (2) whose term of office has expired, may be designated again. (4) A vacancy in the membership of the Council does not affect the validity of the proceedings or the decisions of the Council. (5) Due consideration must be given demographic and gender representivity. Meetings of Council in the composition of the Council to 8. (1) Meetings of the Council must be held at the times and places determined by the Chief Justice, but at least every six months. (2) A majority of the members of the Council constitutes a quorum. (3) If the Chief Justice is absent from a meeting, the Deputy Chief Justice must act as chairperson, and if both are absent, the members must elect one of their number to preside at that meeting. (4) The Council may regulate the proceedings at its meetings as it considers fit and must keep minutes of the proceedings. (5) (a) Every member of the Council has one vote. (b) In the event of an equality of votes the person presiding will have both a deliberative and a casting vote. Committees of Council 9.(1) The Council must establish standing committees to take responsibility for each of the following areas of the Institute's activities: (a} Curriculum planning and development; (b) oversight of judicial education; (c) budget and finance; (d) personnel management; and (e) general administration. (2) The Council may further appoint— (a) an executive committee from its ranks, which must be chaired by the Deputy (b) Chief Justice; such further standing committee or other committee for a particular purpose as may become necessary; (3) (a) The members of a standing or other committee may be members of the Council or may be co-opted for that purpose by the Council. (b) The majority of the members of any such committee must be members of the Council. (cid:13) 8 No. 31437 Act No. 14, 2008 (4) The Council— GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. 16 SEPTEMBER 2008 SOUTH AFRICAN JUDICIAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE ACT. 2008 (a) is not divested of any function entrusted to any of its committees by virtue of subsection (1) or (2); and (b) may set aside or vary any decision taken by such committee, subject to any rights that may have accrued to a person as a result of the decision. Powers and duties of Council 10.(1) The Council may do all that is necessary or expedient to achieve the objects of this Act. (2) Without derogating from the generality of subsection (1) but subject to section 13, the Council— (a) may— acquire and alienate movable and immovable property; (i) (ii) hire and let movable and immovable property; (b) must— (i) oversee the appointment of temporary and permanent professional staff: (ii) engage in research into matters affecting the Institute and its functions and engage suitably qualified persons or institutions to conduct such research on its behalf; establish and maintain contact with the Judicial Service Commission, the Magistrates Commission, Heads of Courts, the organised legal profession, academics and other individuals and entities with an interest in judicial education. (iii) Administration of Institute

11. In order to perform its functions the Institute must, amongst other things— (a) employ a Director as the administrative head of the Institute; (b) employ academic staff and procure the services of suitably qualified judicial educators; (c) employ such administrative staff as may be necessary; and (d) enter into contracts with service providers and accept liability for the expenses incurred as a result of such services being rendered. Appointment of Director 12.(1) The Council must appoint a Director for a determined term and on such conditions as the Council may determine. (2) The Council may re-appoint the Director at the end of the term. (3) The Director, as the administrative head and chief executive officer of the Institute, is responsible for the general administration of the Institute, and must— (a) manage and direct the activities of the Institute subject to the direction of the Council; (b) appoint and supervise the administrative staff of the Institute; and (c) provide quarterly management reports to the Director-General. (4) The Minister must, with the concurrence of the Council and after consultation with the Minister of Finance, determine the Director's remuneration, allowances, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment. Finances and accountability 13. (I) Expenditure in connection with the administration and functioning of the Institute must be defrayed from monies appropriated by Parliament for this purpose. (2) Monies appropriated by Parliament for this purpose:— (a) constitute earmarked funds on the Departmental vote; and (b) may not be used by the Department for any other purpose unless the Council has been consulted and the National Treasury approves such use. (3) The Institute may receive funds from donations, contributions or gifts and from in accordance with National Treasury the Council other sources approved by regulations. (cid:13) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. 16 SEPTEMBER 2008 Act No. 14, 2008 SOUTH AFRICAN JUDICIAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE ACT. 2008 (4) Subject to the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999), the Director-General— (a) is charged with the responsibility of accounting for monies received or paid out for or on account of the administration and functioning of the Institute and for donations, contributions or gifts in accordance with National Treasury regulations; and (b) must cause the necessary accounting and other related records to be kept, which records must be audited by the Auditor-General. (5) The Institute must utilise the donations, contributions or gifts to advance the objects of the Institute as contained in this Act or any other law. (6) The financial year of the Institute is the period of 1 April in any year to 31 March in the following year, except that the first financial year of the Institute begins on the date on which this Act comes into operation, and ends on 31 March of the following year. (7) The Institute may invest or deposit money that is not immediately required for contingencies or current expenditure— (a) (b) in a call account or short-term fixed deposit with any registered bank or financial institution in the Republic; or in an investment account with the Corporation for Public Deposits established by section 2 of the Corporation for Public Deposits Act, 1984 (Act No. 46 of 1984). (8) Within six months after the end of each financial year, the Director must prepare financial statements in accordance with established accounting practice, principles and procedures, comprising— (a) a statement, with suitable and sufficient particulars, reflecting the income and expenditure of the Institute during the preceding financial year; and (b) a balance sheet showing the state of its assets, liabilities and financial position as at the end of that financial year. (9) The Auditor-General must audit the financial statements of the Institute each year. Remuneration of staff of Institute

14. The Council may, with the concurrence of the Minister who must consult with the Minister of Finance, determine the remuneration, allowances, benefits, and other terms and conditions of appointment of each member of staff. Annual report 15. (1) The Council must prepare and submit to the Minister an annual report in the form prescribed by the Minister within six months after the end of the Institutes financial year. (2) The annual report referred to in subsection (1) must include the following documents: (a) The audited financial statements prepared in terms of this Act; (b) (c) the auditor's report prepared in terms of this Act; a report of the activities undertaken in terms of the Institute's functions set out in this Act; and (d) a statement of the progress made during the preceding year towards achieving the objects of this Act. (3) The Minister must table in Parliament each annual report submitted in terms of this Act. Guidelines

16. The Chief Justice may issue guidelines, with the concurrence of the Minister, in respect of any matter concerning the exercise of any power and the performance of any function of the Institute. Reimbursement of members of Council 17. (1) No member of the Council, other than the members referred to in section 7(1)(l), may be remunerated for her or his services on the Council. (2) Members may be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in the course of their service as members of the Council. (cid:13) 12 No. 31437 Act No. 14, 2008 Seal of Institute GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16 SEPTEMBER 2008 SOUTH AFRICAN JUDICIAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE ACT. 2008 18. (1) The seal of the Institute must be determined by the Council with the concurrence of the Minister. (2) The President must approve the seal of the Institute. (3) The seal of the Institute must be published in the Gazette on approval by the President. Transitional provisions 19. (1) The Institute must commence with its training functions as from a dale fixed by the Minister by notice in the Gazette. (2) Before the date so fixed, the necessary arrangements must be made for the Institute to be accommodated, equipped and staffed in order to perform its functions properly. Short title and commencement

20. This Act is called the South African Judicial Education Institute Act, 2008, and comes into operation on a date fixed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette. (cid:13)