The Office of the Chief Justice invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for various vacancies closing on 07 August 2026. These opportunities are available in Gauteng, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, and are suitable for candidates with experience in legal research, court interpreting, registrar duties, legal administration and court support services.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer | Office of the Chief Justice |
| Closing Date | 07 August 2026 |
| Location | Randburg, Makhanda, Bhisho, Mthatha, Gqeberha and Thohoyandou |
| Application Method | Email, post or hand delivery |
| Required Documents | New Z83 form and recent comprehensive CV |
| Employment Equity | Preference may be given to Women, Persons with Disabilities and Youth |
Law Researcher Ref No: 2026/82/OCJ
Salary: R487 197 – R573 897 per annum, Level 09
Centre: Land Court, Randburg
Requirements
Applicants must have an LLB Degree at NQF Level 8 as recognised by SAQA.
Applicants must have at least three years’ experience in the relevant field.
Superior Court or litigation experience will be an added advantage.
A valid driver’s licence will be an added advantage.
Applicants must have knowledge of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, related labour laws, departmental policies, Labour Relations Act, Labour and Labour Appeal Court Rules and Practice Manual, Employment Equity Act and the Practice Manual of the Court.
Applicants must have a sound understanding of South African law and the judicial system.
Required skills include interpretation and application of the law, communication, computer literacy, numerical skills, planning, organising, problem-solving, decision-making, interpersonal relations, legal research, analytical thinking, project management, report writing, editing, attention to detail and confidentiality.
Duties
The successful candidate will provide legal research support on statutes, rules, regulations, case law and various legal issues.
Duties include analysing complex legal principles, preparing summaries for judges and supporting judges in preparation for hearings and trials.
The candidate will retrieve legal material from hard copy and electronic sources, analyse legal arguments submitted by litigants and prepare legal memoranda.
Additional duties include proofreading draft judgments, checking grammar and spelling, verifying references and footnotes, monitoring legal developments and ensuring judges have access to the latest legal information.
Enquiries
Technical Enquiries: Ms N Mhlambi
Tel: 010 493 6316
HR Enquiries: Ms T Mbalekwa
Tel: 010 494 8515
Application Details
Applications can be emailed to:
2026/82/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
Law Researcher Ref No: 2026/83/OCJ
Salary: R487 197 – R573 897 per annum, Level 09
Centre: Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Makhanda
Requirements
Applicants must have an LLB Degree or a four-year recognised legal qualification as recognised by SAQA.
Applicants must have at least three years’ legal research experience in the relevant field.
Superior Court or litigation experience will be an added advantage.
A valid driver’s licence will be an added advantage.
Applicants must have knowledge of electronic information resources and online retrieval tools, including Westlaw, LexisNexis, Jutastat, SAFLII and Sabinet.
Applicants must understand the Practice Manual of the Court, South African law, the judicial system, Batho Pele Principles and the interpretation and application of the law.
Required skills include communication, problem-solving, decision-making, research, analytical thinking, report writing, editing, presentation, planning, organising, computer literacy, information management, accuracy, attention to detail, diversity management, conflict management, project management and time management.
Duties
The successful candidate will provide legal research support to judges and court officials.
Duties include researching legal issues, statutes, rules, regulations and case law, analysing complex legal principles and preparing summaries for judges.
The candidate will prepare legal opinions, review legal arguments submitted by litigants, evaluate the merits of arguments and provide recommendations to judges.
Additional duties include proofreading draft judgments, checking citations and footnotes, monitoring legal journals and ensuring judges remain informed about legislative changes, new precedents and emerging legal trends.
Enquiries
Technical Enquiries: Ms L Frazer
Tel: 046 603 5000
HR Enquiries: Ms Z Sulo
Tel: 087 086 6929
Application Details
Applications can be emailed to:
2026/83/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
Senior Court Interpreter Ref No: 2026/84/OCJ
Salary: R338 106 – R398 277 per annum, Level 07
Centre: Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Bhisho
Requirements
Applicants must have a National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or an equivalent qualification at NQF Level 6 with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA.
Applicants must have at least one year of experience as a Court Interpreter.
Alternatively, applicants with Grade 12 must have at least ten years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting.
Applicants must be proficient in English and isiXhosa.
Proficiency in other indigenous languages such as isiZulu, Afrikaans, Sesotho or Setswana will be an added advantage.
A valid driver’s licence will be an added advantage.
Applicants must have knowledge of relevant Acts and regulations, culture, subject area knowledge and translation within required timeframes.
Required skills include computer literacy, communication, time management, interpersonal relations, listening, customer service, problem-solving, planning, organising, decision-making and analytical thinking.
Duties
The successful candidate will render interpreting services in court proceedings and related matters.
Duties include interpreting in matters involving the Children’s Act, criminal proceedings, civil proceedings, domestic violence, older persons, family law, protection from harassment, labour matters, maintenance, child justice, inquests and quasi-judicial matters.
The candidate will interpret in small claims courts, disciplinary hearings, conciliation and arbitration, confessions, pre-trial proceedings and consultations.
Additional duties include translating legal documents and exhibits, developing terminology, supporting reconstruction of records and assisting with audio material translation.
Enquiries
Technical Enquiries: Mr L Ceza
Tel: 040 608 7738
HR Enquiries: Ms Z Sulo
Tel: 087 086 6929
Application Details
Applications can be emailed to:
2026/84/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
Registrar Ref No: 2026/85/OCJ
Salary: R337 563 – R1 155 777 per annum, MR3-MR5, according to OSD
Centre: Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Mthatha
Requirements
Applicants must have an LLB Degree or a four-year legal qualification as recognised by SAQA.
Applicants must have at least two years’ postgraduate legal experience.
MR3 requires an LLB Degree or equivalent qualification plus at least two years’ postgraduate legal experience.
MR4 requires an LLB Degree or equivalent qualification plus at least eight years’ postgraduate legal experience.
MR5 requires an LLB Degree or equivalent qualification plus at least fourteen years’ postgraduate legal experience.
Superior Court or litigation experience will be an added advantage.
A valid driver’s licence will be an added advantage.
Applicants must have knowledge of registrar duties, case flow management, public service legislation, storage and retrieval procedures and Batho Pele Principles.
Required skills include communication, computer literacy, numerical skills, planning, organising, problem-solving, decision-making, interpersonal relations, conflict management, time management, analytical thinking, customer service and confidentiality.
Duties
The successful candidate will process default judgments to support efficient handling of quasi-judicial functions.
Duties include determining whether pleadings comply with court rules, considering applications for default judgment, capturing outcomes and maintaining default judgment registers.
The candidate will execute taxations, process opposed and unopposed taxations, handle taxation reviews and maintain taxation reporting tools.
Additional duties include managing criminal and civil processes, analysing statistical data, resolving Presidential Hotline queries, supporting court room staff coordination and supervising staff.
Enquiries
Technical Enquiries: Mr M Mhlontlo
Tel: 047 504 5500
HR Enquiries: Ms Z Sulo
Tel: 087 086 6929
Application Details
Applications can be emailed to:
2026/85/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
Administration Clerk: Legal Ref No: 2026/86/OCJ
Salary: R237 453 – R279 708 per annum, Level 05
Centre: Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Gqeberha
Requirements
Applicants must have a Grade 12 certificate or equivalent qualification at NQF Level 4 as recognised by SAQA.
No experience is required.
One year of experience in a legal environment will be an added advantage.
An LLB Degree and a valid driver’s licence will be added advantages.
Applicants must have knowledge of Public Service legislation, prescripts and regulations.
Required skills include research, communication, presentation, minute taking, report writing, problem-solving, decision-making, time management, planning, organising, creative thinking, analytical thinking and computer literacy.
Duties
The successful candidate will conduct legal research for the Regional Court President or Chief Magistrate when required.
Duties include compiling statistics, reconciling manual and electronic statistics, supporting audit readiness and data purification, assisting with case flow management and providing administrative support.
The candidate will assist the Regional Court Registrar and members of the public and provide general administrative support as requested by the Court Manager and Supervisor.
Enquiries
Technical Enquiries: Ms P Boya-Nyhiba
Tel: 041 502 6626
HR Enquiries: Ms Z Sulo
Tel: 087 086 6929
Application Details
Applications can be emailed to:
2026/86/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
Usher Messenger Ref No: 2026/87/OCJ
Salary: R170 226 – R200 523 per annum, Level 03
Centre: Limpopo Division of the High Court, Thohoyandou
Requirements
Applicants must have Grade 10 or ABET Level 3 as recognised by SAQA.
Relevant experience is required.
A valid driver’s licence will be an added advantage.
Applicants must have knowledge of clerical duties, data capturing, computer operation, statistics, Microsoft Office, office administration and the legislative framework governing the Public Service.
Required skills include communication, problem-solving, public relations, monitoring, analytical thinking, planning, organising, report writing and typing.
Duties
The successful candidate will render administrative support to judges and the courtroom.
Duties include escorting members of the bench to and from court, assisting judges’ chambers, maintaining silence and order in courtrooms and organising court crews according to daily court rolls.
The candidate will check court rolls, maintain courtroom records, arrange criminal and civil files, report missing files, archive documents and support smooth running of courtrooms.
Additional duties include assisting with scheduling court matters, collecting and distributing court files, keeping court files safe and circulating court rolls according to the distribution list.
Enquiries
Technical Enquiries: Mr BM Tjiane
Tel: 015 495 1444
HR Enquiries: Ms EM Ramaphakela
Tel: 015 495 1744
Application Details
Applications can be emailed to:
2026/87/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
How to Apply
Applicants must submit applications on the new Z83 form and attach a recent comprehensive CV only.
To apply and access more details, visit the Office of the Chief Justice official website.
Applications must quote the correct reference number, job title and office where the position is advertised.
Email applications must be sent to the email address listed under each post.
Postal and Hand Delivery Addresses
For Gauteng or Randburg posts, applications may be posted to:
The Provincial Head
Office of the Chief Justice
Private Bag X7
Johannesburg
2000
Hand delivery:
12th Floor
Corner Pritchard and Kruis Street
Johannesburg
For Limpopo or Thohoyandou posts, applications may be posted to:
Provincial Head
Office of the Chief Justice Service Centre
Limpopo
Private Bag X9693
Polokwane
0700
Hand delivery:
High Court of South Africa
Limpopo Division, Polokwane
36 Biccard and Bodenstein Street
Polokwane
0699
For Eastern Cape posts, applications may be posted to:
The Provincial Head
Office of the Chief Justice
Private Bag X13012
Cambridge
East London
5206
Hand delivery:
59 Western Avenue
Sanlam Park Building
2nd Floor
Vincent
East London
5242
Important Notes for Applicants
The closing date is 07 August 2026.
Applications received late will not be considered.
Applications on the old Z83 form will not be considered.
Each application form must be fully completed, signed and initialled on both pages by the applicant.
The application must indicate the correct job title, office where the position is advertised and reference number.
Applicants must submit a recent comprehensive CV with contactable referees, including telephone numbers and email addresses.
Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview.
Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate.
All shortlisted candidates will undertake two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise and an integrity assessment.
Applicants may be required to provide consent for access to their social media accounts.
Suitable candidates will be subjected to personnel suitability checks, including criminal record checks, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, social media checks, reference checks and employment verification.
Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
If applicants are not contacted within three months after the closing date, they should accept that their application was unsuccessful.
Successful candidates will be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within three months of appointment.
Successful candidates may be required to undergo security clearance within three months after appointment.
The Office of the Chief Justice reserves the right not to make any appointment.
The Office of the Chief Justice complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act.