Deputy Chair, the Magistrates' Courts Amendment Bill amends the Magistrates' Courts Act of 1944, and regulates the qualifications required for the appointment of a person as a magistrate, additional magistrate and magistrate of a regional court. The Bill also seeks to regulate the inclusion of magistrates of regional divisions on the list of magistrates who may adjudicate on civil disputes, amongst other things.
The amendment that most concerned the select committee proposes that the minimum requirement of an LLB qualification be deleted and be substituted with the words:
... any appropriately qualified man or woman who is a fit and proper person may be appointed as a magistrate, an additional magistrate or a magistrate of a regional division.
The Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development, having considered the Magistrates' Courts Amendment Bill [B 23B-2010] (National Assembly-sec 75) referred to it, reports that it has agreed to the Bill without amendments. Thank you. [Applause.] Debate concluded.
Bill agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.