Strengthening People-Centred Justice Systems: Deepening Democracy
Sun City Convention Centre, North West, 11-13 November 2026
About THE CONFERENCE
South Africa's Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development will convene an International Conference on Access to Justice on 11–13 November 2026, preceded by a Welcome Dinner on the evening of 11 November 2026. The conference commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and contributes to the global implementation of SDG 16 — Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
The conference will bring together Head of State of the Republic of South Africa, Ministers of Justice from the SADC, BRICS, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Canada, judicial officers, prosecutors, civil society leaders, academics, international organisations, and development partners to advance dialogue on people-centred justice, digital transformation, anti-corruption, asset recovery, and partnerships for justice access.
EXPECTED OUTPUTS:
- Policy recommendations
- Policy recommendations
- Justice innovation and best-practice summary
- Strategic partnerships
Conference Objectives
The conference aims to achieve the following strategic objectives:
- Advance international dialogue on building inclusive people-centred justice systems that prioritise dignity, rights, and lived experiences of justice users, especially victims and survivors.
- Identify and address barriers to justice faced by marginalised and vulnerable groups, including women and girls, survivors of GBVF, persons with disabilities, migrants and rural communities.
- Promote innovative and accessible justice delivery models, including digital justice systems, integrated service centres, community justice systems and ADR.
- Strengthen judicial independence, accountability, and institutional integrity as foundations for fair and trusted justice systems.
- Strengthen judicial independence, accountability, and institutional integrity as foundations for fair and trusted justice systems.
- Strengthen regional and international cooperation on justice reform, shared standards, and cross border collaboration.
- Adopt practical recommendations and policy commitments aligned with SDG 16 and the AU Agenda 2063, with emphasis on implementation and impact.
- Commemorate 30 years of constitutional democracy in South Africa by reflecting on progress and gaps in access to justice.
Conference Themes
The five panel discussions are anchored in the following thematic framework:
Theme 1 — Policy& International Best
Practice
International legal and Policy
development, constitutional
jurisprudence, international
benchmarks, SDG 16 alignment.
Theme 2 — Digitisation & the
Law: Future of
Justice
E-courts, AI in judicial systems,
digital legal aid, online dispute
resolution, digital divide risks,
responsible use of technology,
risks of bias.
Theme 3 — Victimand
People centred
Justice Approaches
Victim support and assistance
from reporting to recovery
in Gender-based violence,
Femicide, Victims Lens ,
Trauma informed criminal
justice systems.
Theme 4 — Ensuring
access to Justice
through Integrity,
Accountability, and
Public Trust)
Fighting crime and corruption,
NDPP and DPCI perspectives,
whistle-blower protection, SIU
and AFU work, international
asset recovery cooperation,
anti-corruption, increasing trust,
integrity and accountability in
the criminal justice system as
enabler of access to justice.
Theme 5 — Partnerships and
Innovation for
Justice Delivery
Civil society, business,
youth, legal profession, and
government partnerships in
making justice accessible.
The year 2026 marks the 30th Anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996— a Constitution that transformed South Africa from an unjust society built on colonial domination and apartheid exclusion into a democratic, human-rightsbased state founded on dignity, equality, and freedom for all.
View the Conference Programme for 11-13 November 2026 as soon as it is published.
View all Conference Papers as soon as they are published.
Conference Venue
Sun City
Home to the Valley of Waves and sprawled along the border of the Pilanesberg National Park, Sun City Resort enjoys the fine distinction of being the only surf-and-safari destination within a two-hour drive of landlocked Johannesburg.
