The 11 judges of the Constitutional Court are independent. They cannot be members of Parliament, of the government or of political parties. They are required to be impartial and to uphold justice for all without fear, favour or prejudice.
Sections 174 to 178 of the Constitution deal with the appointment of judicial officers. First, the Judicial Service Commission draws up a list of candidates that must have three more names than the number of vacancies. The Commission does this after calling for nominations and holding public interviews.
Then the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly, chooses the judges from this selection.
The judges ordinarily serve for a non-renewable term of between 12 and 15 years.
The first judges were appointed in 1994. Read about the selection of the first judges here.
Read about what it is like to be a Constitutional Court Judge.
Media Statement for JSC Criteria
Summary and Explaination of the criteria and guidlines used by JSC:When considering candidates for judicial appoitment
Erratum
On Tuesday, 5 May 2026, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) published a Notice in the media calling for nominations of interested persons to fill in vacancies in various superior courts. The Notice omitted to advise that for the one vacancy of a non-judge member advertised in the Electoral Court, candidates for this position should be South African citizens who are in the legal profession. In addition, the two advertised Land Court vacancies, candidates for these positions must be persons who, by reason of their training and experience, have expertise in the field of land rights matters.
The JSC hereby advises that the Notice is accordingly amended to reflect these additions. All nominations must reach the Secretariat of the JSC by no later than Friday, 5 June 2026.
JUDICIAL VACANCIES: 05 May 2026
Media Release : Shortlisted cadidates for Judicial Appointment - Scheduled Interviews 13 -17 April 2026
Media Release : Shortlisted cadidates for Judicial Appointment - Reminder
Media Release : Shortlisted cadidates for Judicial Appointment Constitutional Court - Reminder
Media Release : Independent Electoral Commission Interviews, 21 - 22 July 2025
Media Release : Shortlisted Candidates for Judicial Appointment - Constitutional Court
Judicial Service Commisssion media statement
Shortlisted Candidates for Judicial Appointment - 25 July 2025
Media Release : Shortlisted cadidates for three Electoral Commission Vacancies
Judicial Service Commission media statement 12 May 2025 : Judicial Vacancies
Judicial Service Commission Shortlisted Candidates for Judicial Appointment
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) invites nominations to fill vacancies of Judges in the following Courts:
Media Statement for JSC Criteria
Summary and Explaination of the criteria and guidlines used by JSC:When considering candidates for judicial appoitment
Competition Appeal, Court Electoral Court & Labour Court