The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, John Jeffery, officially launched a Small Claims Court in the Richmond Magistrate’s Court today. The Small Claims Court allows people to institute minor civil claims in a speedy, affordable and simple manner without using an attorney. The community of Richmond and surrounding areas now have a court that will help settle civil disputes and claims that do not exceed R15 000.
The launch of Richmond Small Claims Court is part of the department’s efforts to ensure accessibility and affordability of justice services. Currently, there are 378 established Small Claims Courts nationally and additional Courts are being established on a continuous basis. “Over the past financial year, we have established 40 new Small Claims Court countrywide.
We only need to establish 27 more Small Claims Courts to be fully compliant, which means that we will then have a Small Claims Court in each magisterial district in the country,” said Deputy Minister.
Out of the 27 Small Claims Court that are yet to be established, the department has already initiated the process to establish 10. As it stands, the KwaZulu-Natal province has 54 magisterial districts, with 51 Small Claims Courts established.
The Department encourages all individuals in the legal fraternity to dedicate their time and serve as commissioners in the Small Claims Courts. The survival and effectiveness of these courts depends primarily on the availability of people in the legal fraternity to assist in adjudicating the matters that are brought before these courts.
Justice has an important role to play in the cohesion and stability of our communities. Small Claims Courts will have the biggest impact in societal stability if all role players commit to make them work.
Enquiries:
Mthunzi Mhaga
Cell: 083 641 8141
E-mail: Mediaenquiries@justice.gov.za
