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🇿🇦 South Africa · constitutional court

Constitutional Court of South Africa

Reviewed· 2026-05-08Johannesburg

Since 2013 the highest court on all matters. Renowned for enforcing socio-economic rights and for confirming orders of constitutional invalidity, which no other court can finally make.

How the court is constituted

Tier
constitutional
Court type
Apex constitutional court
Jurisdiction
National
Seat
Johannesburg
Established
1994
Composition
Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and nine judges
Appointment
Presidential appointment on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; twelve-year non-renewable term

Where an appeal goes next

Final

Decisions worth knowing

  • S v Makwanyane1995

    The death penalty is unconstitutional.

  • Government of RSA v Grootboom2000

    Housing rights require a reasonable state programme.

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