appoint attorneys as judges 
2 February 2007

The appointment of attorneys as acting judges can promote the transformation of the judiciary, the Law Society of SA said on Thursday.

"Suitable candidates for acting judicial appointments can be sourced from the attorneys profession to speed up the transformation of the judiciary," said the Law Society's chief executive officer Raj Daya.

Daya was reacting to last week's reports that Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla had not sanctioned the recommendation of two senior white advocates to serve as acting appointments on the Bloemfontein High Court bench.

Many attorneys had the necessary experience, skills and seniority to serve as acting judges on the higher courts, and those seeking candidates for acting appointment should look beyond just the advocates' Bar for acting judges, Daya said.

"Unfilled vacancies on the bench affect the administration of justice as cases cannot be dealt with expeditiously... and the fact that resistance to transformation may be causing the delay is unacceptable and reprehensible," he said. 

Sapa, www.legalnet.co.za