South Africa Approves 20% Judicial Pay Rise and New Court Seats

June 13, 2026 3 min read

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has confirmed a 20 percent increase in judicial salaries alongside the creation of new local court seats, after cabinet gave the go-ahead for broader court rationalisation measures. The announcement marks the most significant restructuring of South Africa's judicial footprint in years, directly affecting how citizens access legal services across multiple provinces.

Cabinet Green Light for Court Reform

The cabinet approved the rationalisation framework during its weekly meeting, handing Kubayi the authority to proceed with both the salary adjustment and the spatial expansion of court services. Officials confirmed the decisions reflect years of advocacy from the judiciary, which argued that stagnant pay and insufficient court infrastructure were undermining access to justice. The minister is expected to table implementation details before parliament within the next fortnight.

The High Court will oversee the redistribution of new seats, ensuring that previously underserved districts gain dedicated court facilities. Kubayi's department estimates the changes will bring legal services closer to approximately two million residents in rural and peri-urban areas.

Salary Increase Draws Mixed Reactions

The 20 percent salary bump applies to judges at all levels, from district courts through to the High Court bench. Legal practitioners welcomed the move, noting that South African judicial pay had fallen behind regional benchmarks over the past decade. The Judicial Service Commission had submitted detailed remuneration reports to support the increase, citing retention risks for experienced magistrates.

Critics, however, have questioned the timing given ongoing budget pressures on provincial courts. The treasury will need to approve additional funding outside the normal appropriations cycle. Treasury officials declined to comment on whether supplementary estimates would be required before the end of the fiscal year.

New Seats Target Access Gaps

The new local court seats will be distributed across five provinces, prioritising areas where litigants currently travel more than 100 kilometres to reach the nearest court. Kubayi's statement identified the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal as the primary beneficiaries of the spatial expansion. Each new seat will handle civil, criminal, and family law matters within its jurisdiction.

Infrastructure development will proceed in phases, with the first two seats expected to become operational by early next year. The department has allocated funds for temporary courtrooms in each location while permanent buildings are constructed. Local government officials in targeted municipalities have already begun identifying suitable land.

Legal Profession Responds

The General Council of the Bar issued a brief statement supporting both measures, calling the pay increase a necessary step toward judicial independence. The Law Society of South Africa urged the government to ensure that new court seats receive adequate support staff and technology to function effectively from day one. Both organisations emphasised that physical access alone does not guarantee meaningful justice without proper resourcing.

What Happens Next

Parliament's portfolio committee on justice will hold public hearings on the implementation plan next month. Citizens in affected regions will have the opportunity to submit comments on the proposed locations and service scope of new court seats. The treasury's supplementary budget request, if approved, would release funds for the first phase of infrastructure by the third quarter of the year.

Watch for the publication of final seat locations in the government gazette, expected within six weeks. That notice will trigger a 30-day public comment period before construction timelines are confirmed.