The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) in South Africa plays a vital role in upholding the country’s judicial integrity and efficient administration of justice. As part of its continuous commitment to excellence, the OCJ periodically announces exciting Judge’s Secretary vacancies—a golden opportunity for individuals passionate about the legal field and committed to administrative precision.
What Does a Judge’s Secretary Do?
A Judge’s Secretary is entrusted with providing secretarial, administrative, and clerical support to assigned judges. These duties are critical to the smooth operation of courtrooms and judicial processes. Typical responsibilities include:
- Provide general secretarial/administrative duties to the Judge.
- Typing (or format) of draft memorandum decision, opinions or judgement entries written by or assigned by Judge.
- Provide general secretarial/administrative duties to the Judge.
- Manage and type correspondence, judgements and orders for the Judge (including Dictaphone typing).
- Arrange and diarize appointments, meetings and official visits and make travel and accommodation arrangements.
- Safeguarding of all case files and the endorsement of case files with an order made by Judge.
- Update files and documents and provide copies of documents to the Registrar.
- Perform digital recording of court proceedings on urgent court cases after hours or on circuit court and ensure integrity of such recordings.
- Store, keep and file court records safely.
- Accompany the Judge to the court.
- Compile court statistics daily.
- Management of Judge’s vehicle, logbook and driving thereof.
- Compile data and prepare reports and documents for assigned Judges as necessary; including expense reports, continuing legal hours, financial disclosure statements and case management.
- Arrange refreshments for the Judge and his or her visitors and attend to their needs.
- Management of Judge’s library and updating of documentation.
- Execute legal research as directed by the Judge and comply with departmental prescripts, policies, procedures and guidelines.
This position demands discretion, strong organizational skills, and an excellent command of written and spoken English.
POSTS: JUDGE’S SECRETARY (X6 POSTS)
SALARY : R325 101 – R382 959 per annum (Level 07). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.
CENTRE :
- KwaZulu Natal Division of the High Court: Durban Ref No: 2025/93/OCJ (X1 Post)
- KwaZulu Natal Division of the High Court: Pietermaritzburg Ref No: 2025/94/OCJ (X2 Posts)
- Land Court: Randburg Ref No: 2025/117/OCJ (X3 Posts)
REQUIREMENTS :
- Grade twelve (12) certificate, a minimum of 20 modules completed towards an LLB, BA or Bachelor Law Degree.
- A minimum of two (2) secretarial experience a valid driver’s license,
- LLB Degree, Bachelor Law Degree will serve as an added advantage and results must accompany the application, shortlisted candidates will be required to pass a typing test.
Skills and Competencies:
- Proficiency in English.
- Good communication skills (verbal and written).
- Administration and organizational skills.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, ability to meet strict deadlines and to work under pressure, attention to details, customer care service skills and excellent typing skills, confidentiality and time management.
- Computer literacy (MS Word) and research capabilities
ENQUIRIES :
- KZN Technical enquiries: Ms K Marais Tel No: (031) 492 5562
- KZN HR Enquiries: Ms SZ Mvuyana Tel No: (031) 493 1723
- Land Court Technical enquiries: Ms N Mhlambi Tel No: (010) 493 6316
- Land Court HR enquiries: Ms T Mbalekwa Tel No: (010) 494 8515
A position as a Judge’s Secretary at the Office of the Chief Justice offers more than just a stable job—it offers a chance to be part of the machinery that drives justice in South Africa. If you’re a skilled administrator with a passion for law and order, this could be the career move you’ve been waiting for.
APPLICATIONS :
- Kwa-Zulu Natal Division of the High Court: Durban should be sent via email at 2025/93/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
- Kwa-Zulu Natal Division of the High Court: Pietermaritzburg should be sent via email at 2025/94/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
- Land Court: sent via email at 2025/117/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE VACANCIES HERE
CLOSING DATE : 23 June 2025
NOTE :
All applications must be submitted on a New Z83 form and should be accompanied by a recent comprehensive CV only; contactable referees (telephone numbers and email addresses must be indicated). Please send your documents in a PDF and put them in one folder. Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from Human Resources.
CHECK OUT 30 COMMON JUDGE’S SECRETARY QUESTIONS HERE
Each application form must be fully completed, duly signed and initialed on both pages by the applicant. The application must indicate the correct job title, the office where the position is advertised and the reference number as stated in the advert. Failure by the applicant to fully complete, sign and initial the application form will lead to 40 disqualification of the application during the selection process.
Applications on the old Z83 will unfortunately not be considered. Should you be in a possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). Dual citizenship holders must provide the Police Clearance certificate from the country of origin (when shortlisted all non – SA Citizens will be required to submit a copy of proof of South African permanent residence). Applications that do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements will not be considered.
Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, reference checks and employment verification). Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful
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