X-Nico

2 unusual facts about High Court of South Africa


Abortion in South Africa

In the case of Christian Lawyers Association v Minister of Health an anti-abortion organisation challenged the validity of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act on the basis that it violated the right to life in section 11 of the Bill of Rights; the Transvaal Provincial Division of the High Court dismissed their argument, ruling that constitutional rights only apply to people and not to fetuses.

Seventeenth Amendment of the Constitution of South Africa

It alters references to the High Courts so that they are regarded as divisions of a single High Court of South Africa rather than separate courts.


Northern Cape Division

The Northern Cape Division of the High Court of South Africa (formerly named the Northern Cape High Court and the Northern Cape Provincial Division, and commonly known as the Kimberley High Court) is a superior court of law with general jurisdiction over the Northern Cape province of South Africa.

Prenuptial agreement

In 2004, the High Court of South Africa upheld a cherem against a Johannesburg businessman because he refused to pay his former wife alimony as ordered by a beth din.

Superior Courts Act, 2013

It reorganised the various High Courts into a single High Court of South Africa, with a division situated in each province, including two new divisions to serve Limpopo and Mpumalanga.


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