Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says Cabinet has approved the long-awaited rationalisation of South Africa’s courts, with reforms set to reshape jurisdictions, expand local High Court seats and bring justice services closer to communities.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi says government will begin implementing a major overhaul of South Africa’s court system from July 1, 2026, with reforms aimed at improving access to justice and addressing long-standing inequalities in the judicial landscape.
Announcing Cabinet’s approval of the court rationalisation programme on Tuesday, Kubayi said the reforms were long overdue and would be implemented in phases to ensure courts are better aligned with the constitutional vision of an accessible and effective justice system.
“After 30 years of our constitutional democracy, the rationalisation of the courts is long overdue. Cabinet has approved the rationalization committee report and has given us a go-ahead to proceed with the implementation,” Kubayi said.
She said the rationalisation process seeks to redefine the areas of jurisdiction of magistrates’ courts and divisions of the High Court in a manner that advances access to justice, particularly for poor and vulnerable communities.
