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Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)

Notices

Directions : All Courts, Court Precincts and Justice Service Points in the Republic of South Africa

5. Civil Cases

 

(a) Civil cases that are not identified as urgent and essential services may not be placed on the court roll for the duration of the period of lockdown. However, Heads of courts retain the discretion to authorise the hearing of matters through teleconference or video conference or any other electronic mode, which dispenses with the necessity to be physically present in a courtroom.

 

(b) The Chief Registrar or Clerk of the Court, as the case may be, must inform the parties and their legal representatives of the new court date in writing.

 

(c) Service of process and execution of writs by sheriffs must be limited to cases which are urgent and essential, including:
(i) Service and execution of Court orders relating to COVID-19;
(ii) Service of domestic violence protection orders;
(iii) Service of protection from harassment orders;
(iv) Service of process relating to claims which are prescribing;
(v) Service of urgent court process relating to court hearings scheduled during the period of lockdown;
(vi) Service of urgent court process in family law matters as determined in these Directions; and

 

(d) Service and execution of other process by Sheriffs, including evictions, are not essential, and are suspended for the duration of the lockdown.