Department of Justice Details Key Legislative Reforms and Bills Before Parliament

Posted 11 August 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Justice

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has outlined the policy objectives and statutory adjustments driving several key draft Bills, including the repeal of apartheid-era public order legislation and amendments to legal sector governance.

Conspiracy, Instigation & Incitement to Commit Offence Bill

Cabinet has approved the draft Conspiracy, Instigation & Incitement to Commit Offence Bill for tabling in Parliament. Upon enactment, the Bill will formally repeal and replace the Riotous Assemblies Act, No. 17 of 1956. The new legislative framework seeks to establish constitutionally sound definitions and penalties for inchoate offences, ensuring alignment with fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly while maintaining public safety enforcement mechanism.

Judicial Matters Amendment Bill and Legal Practice Act Reforms

In briefings to the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, the department detailed proposals within the Judicial Matters Amendment Bill that directly impact the Legal Practice Act, No. 28 of 2014. The proposed statutory adjustments focus on:

  • Promoting structural transformation across the legal profession by rationalising historical distinctions between legal practitioners.
  • Enhancing access to legal services and justice for ordinary citizens.
  • Updating regulatory and administrative frameworks governing practitioner admission, conduct, and professional bodies.

International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Bill

The department also presented key aspects of the International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Bill currently before Parliament. The Bill seeks to modernise South Africa’s mechanisms for mutual legal assistance, international asset forfeiture, and cross-border evidence gathering in criminal investigations.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Legal practitioners must track upcoming amendments to the Legal Practice Act, No. 28 of 2014 to ensure compliance with updated governance, practice rights, and regulatory frameworks.
  • For your business: Legal practices and corporate counsel must review internal practice structures and compliance workflows to adapt to modernized legal service delivery rules.
  • For your clients: Corporate and individual clients engaged in cross-border enforcement or regulatory matters will experience streamlined procedures under revised international cooperation and mutual legal assistance protocols.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/justice-bills-key-insights-from-minister-and-deputy-minister

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