On Friday, 24 August 2012, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Andries Nel, MP, has in terms of the Small Claims Court Act No.61 of 1994, proclaimed in the Government Gazette No. 35602, the establishment of the Small Claims Court for the adjudication of claims for the area of Westonaria.
Deputy Minister Nel would like to congratulate and convey his appreciation to all the role players for their assistance and support in making the Gauteng Region the first Province to have Small Claims Courts in all of its 28 Magisterial districts.
To date, 251 Small Claims Courts have been established country wide and it is our intention to roll out more courts to the remaining 136 Magisterial districts. This would not have been possible without the support of the Commissioners, the Advisory Boards, the court officials and the supporting staff in various courts across the country.Government is indebted to the Commissioners (attorneys and advocates) that preside over small claim matters free of charge and mostly after normal working hours, as a service to the community.
Deputy Minister Nel says Small Claims Courts are a powerful mechanism to provide access to justice, especially to the poor as any person can approach these Courts for assistance in civil matters where the monetary value is not more than R12 000.
Small Claims Courts were created to eliminate time-consuming adversarial procedures before and during the trial and are based on simplicity, speed and cost effectiveness. Lawyers are not permitted to represent any of the litigants and anyone, except jurist persons such as companies, corporations and associations, may institute a claim.
The Deputy Minister calls upon all communities andstakeholders to join hands with government in a quest to enhance access to quality, affordable, prompt, efficient and effective justice to all. We are greatful of the support by the Swiss Development Agency in partnering with the Department to make sure access to justice becomes a reality.
Members of the community in and around Krugersdorp wishing to institute a claim in a Small Claims Court may go to Krugersdorp Magistrates Court, No. 36 Biccard Street, Krugersdorp (Tel: 011 665 5013).
More information on Small Claims Court is available at the Court or on our website link
Enquiries:
Chester Mpane
Cell: 082 3709532
E-mail: pmpane@justice.gov.za
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development establishes a Small Claims Court in Westonaria (Krugersdorp) making Gauteng region the first province to have Small Claims Courts in all Magisterial districts
