The Committee noted that section 182(3) stipulates that the Public Protector may not investigate court decisions and that this provision was consistent with section 165 of the Constitution which vests the judicial authority of the Republic in the courts and provides that the courts are independent, subject only to the Constitution and the law, which they must apply impartially without fear, favour or prejudice. Furthermore, the Committee also noted that section 165(3) stipulates that no person or organ of state may interfere with the functioning of the courts.