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STATUTES PROMOTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Since 27 April 1994 , the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has promoted 108 Bills, which have been enacted by Parliament. In 1994 the Department promoted 5 Bills, 12 in 1995, 16 in 1996 as well as in 1997 and 1998, 3 in 1999 (election year), 7 in 2000, 10 in 2001, 14 in 2002, 8 in 2003 and 1 in 2004. This is an average of about 11 Bills per year. Forty of these statutes are entirely new statutes, giving an indication of the growth in our law since 1994, mainly in order to give effect to the new constitutional dispensation.
Follow this link to view the list of Acts with summaries and commencement date information (Dated: 21 Aug 2021) or a list the legislation enacted since 1994 (Dated: 10 Apr 2024).
To view legislation administered by other Departments you can visit any of the following sites: www.gov.za (legislation), www.lawsofsouthafrica.up.ac.za (legislation) or LawLibrary.org.za (legislation and judgments).
Copyright Juta & Company Limited (www.juta.co.za) and/or Government Printing Works (www.gpwonline.co.za) and/or GOV.ZA (www.gov.za/documents/acts).
Abolition of Civil Imprisonment Act, 1977 (Act 2 of 1977) Eng
Abolition of Corporal Punishment Act, 1997 (Act 33 of 1997) Eng
Abolition of Juries Act, 1969 (Act 34 of 1969) Eng
Abolition of Restrictions on the Jurisdiction of Courts Act, 1996 (Act 88 of 1996) Eng
Adjustment of Fines Act, 1991 (Act 101 of 1991) Eng
Administration Amendment Act, 1929 (Act 9 of 1929) Eng
Administration of Estates Act, 1965 (Act 66 of 1965) Eng / Regulations / Forms
Administration of Estates Laws Interim Rationalisation Act, 2001 (Act 20 of 2001) Forms
Admiralty Jurisdiction Regulation Act, 1983 (Act 105 of 1983) Eng
Apportionment of Damages Act, 1956 (Act 34 of 1956) Eng
Arbitration Act, 1965 (Act 42 of 1965) Eng
Assessment of Damages Act, 1969 (Act 9 of 1969) Eng
Attorneys’ Admission Amendment and Legal Practitioners’ Fidelity Fund Act, 1941 (Act 19 of 1941) Eng Only section 5 has not been repealed.
Attorneys Amendment Act, 2014 (Act 40 of 2014) Eng/Afr
Black High Court Abolition Act, 1954 (Act 13 of 1954) Eng
Child Justice Act, 2008 (Act 75 of 2008) Eng / Setswana / Regulations / Forms
Citation of Constitutional Laws Act, 2005 (Act 5 of 2005) Eng
Close Corporations Act, 1984 (Act 69 of 1984) Eng [The Department only administers Part IX]
Civil Proceedings Evidence Act, 1965 (Act 25 of 1965) Eng
Commissions Act, 1947 (Act 8 of 1947) Eng
Companies Act, 2008 (Act 71 of 2008) Eng / Regulations Part A-2.9mb,
Part B-4.1mb, Part C-8.4mb [Department only administers Chapters 14 and 15]
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996) Eng
Constitutional Court Complementary Act, 1995 (Act 13 of 1995) Eng
Constitutional Matters Amendment Act, 2005 (Act 15 of 2005) Eng
Contingency Fees Act, 1997 (Act 66 of 1997) Eng
Conventional Penalties Act, 1962 (Act 15 of 1962) Eng
Courts of Law Amendment Act, 2017 (Act 7 of 2017) Eng/Afr
Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act
Criminal Law (Sentencing) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act 38 of 2007) Eng
Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act 32 of 2007) Eng/Afr. Regulations: English/Afr. Forms
Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997 (Act 105 of 1997) Eng
Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1988 (Act 1 of 1988) Eng
Criminal Law Second Amendment Act, 1992 (Act 126 of 1992) Eng
Criminal Matters Amendment Act, 1998 (Act 68 of 1998) Eng
Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act, 2021 (Act 12 of 2021) Eng/Afr [Commencement on 5 August 2022, GG 47195, RG 11468, P 75, 4 Aug 2022]
Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act 51 of 1977) Eng / Froms
Criminal Procedure Act, 1955 (Act 56 of 1955) Eng
Cross-Border Insolvency Act, 2000 (Act 42 of 2000) Eng
Cybercrimes Act (Act 19 of 2020) Eng/Afr
Dangerous Weapons Act, 1968 (Act 71 of 1968) Eng [Department only administers section 4]
Decriminalization Act, 1991 (Act 107 of 1991) Eng
Debt Collectors Act, 1998 (Act 114 of 1998) Eng
Determination of Delegates (National Council of Provinces) Act, 1998 (Act 69 of 1998) Eng
Determination of Remuneration of Office-Bearers of Independent Constitutional Institutions Laws Amendment Act, 2014 (Act 22 of 2014) Eng/Afr
Dissolution of Marriages on Presumption of Death Act, 1979 (Act 23 of 1979) Eng
Divorce Act, 1979 (Act 70 of 1979) Eng
Documentary Evidence from Countries in Africa Act, 1993 (Act 62 of 1993) Eng
Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act 116 of 1998) English - Afrikaans - isiNdebele - isiXhosa - isiZulu - Sepedi - Sesotho - Tshivenda - Xitsonga
Domicile Act, 1992 (Act 3 of 1992) Eng
Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, 1992 (Act 140 of 1992) Eng
Enforcement of Foreign Civil Judgments Act, 1988 (Act 32 of 1988) Eng
Establishment of the Northern Cape Division of the Supreme Court of South Africa Act, 1969 (Act 15 of 1969) Eng
Extradition Act, 1962 (Act 67 of 1962) Eng
Foreign Courts Evidence Act, 1962 (Act 80 of 1962) Eng
Formalities in respect of Leases of Land Act, 1969 (Act 18 of 1969) Eng
Game Theft Act, 1991 (Act 105 of 1991) Eng
General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Act, 2022 (Act 22 of 2022) Eng/Afr
General Laws (Loss of Membership of National Assembly, Provincial Legislature or Municipal Council) Amendment Act, 2008 (Act 55 of 2008) Eng
Immovable Property (Removal or Modification of Restrictions) Act, 1965
(Act 94 of 1965) Eng
Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act, 2002 (Act 27 of 2002) Eng / Regulations
Indemnity Act, 1977 (Act 13 of 1977) Eng
Indemnity Act, 1961 (Act 61 of 1961) Eng
Inquests Act, 1959 (Act 58 of 1959) Eng
Insolvency Act, 1936 (Act 24 of 1936) Eng / Forms
Institution of Legal Proceedings Against Organs of State Act, 2002 (Act 40 of 2002) Eng
Interim Rationalisation of Jurisdiction of High Courts Act, 2001 (Act 41 of 2001) Eng
International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Act, 1996 (Act 75 of 1996) Eng
Interpretation Act, 1957 (Act 33 of 1957) Eng
Intestate Succession Act, 1987 (Act 81 of1987) Eng / Forms
Investigation of Serious Economic Offences Amendment Act, 1995 (Act 46 of 1995) Eng
Judges' Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Act, 2001 (Act 47 of 2001) Eng
Judicial Matters Amendment Act
Judicial Service Commission Act, 1994 (Act 9 of 1994) Eng
Jurisdiction of Regional Courts Amendment Act, 2008 (Act 31 of 2008) Eng
Justice Administered Fund Act 2 of 2017, (Act 2 of 2017) Eng/Set
Justice Laws Rationalisation Act, 1996 (Act 18 of 1996) Eng (The Bophuthatswana Ombudsman legislation was repealed with effect from 1 April 1999. The Transkei and QwaQwa Ombudsman legislation was repealed with effect from 1 August 2000.)
Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act, 1963 (Act 16 of 1963) Eng / Regulations / Froms
Land Court Act, 2023 (Act 06 of 2023) Eng/Zul
Law of Evidence Amendment Act, 1988 (Act 45 of 1988) Eng
Law of Evidence and the Criminal Procedure Act Amendment Act, 1987 (Act 103 of 1987) Eng
Law of Succession Amendment Act, 1992 (Act 43 of 1992) Eng
Legal Aid South Africa Act, 2014 (Act 39 of 2014) Eng / Regulations
Legal Practice Act, 2014 (Act 28 of 2014) English & Xhoza / Afrikaans / Setswana / siSwati / Xitsonga
Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act 90 of 1993) Eng
Magistrates' Court Act, 1944 (Act 32 of 1944) Eng / Regulations
Maintenance Act, 1998 (Act 99 of 1998) Eng / Regulations / Froms
Maintenance of Surviving Spouses Act, 1990 (Act 27 of 1990) Eng
Matrimonial Affairs Act, 1953 (Act 37 of 1953) Eng
Matrimonial Property Act, 184 (Act 88 of 1984) Eng
Mediation in Certain Divorce Matters Act, 1987 (Act 24 of 1987) Eng / Regulations
Natal Advocates and Attorneys Preservation of Rights Act, 1939 (Act 27 of 1939) Eng
Natal Conveyancers Act, 1926 (Act 24 of 1926) Eng
National Council of Provinces (Permanent Delegates Vacancies) Act, 1997 (Act 17 of 1997) Eng
National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998 (Act 32 of 1998) Eng
Petition Proceedings Replacement Act, 1976 (Act 35 of 1976) Eng
Pre-Union Statute Law Revision Act, 1977 (Act 43 of 1977) Eng
Pre-Union Statute Law Revision Act, 1976 (Act 36 of 1976) Eng
Pre-Union Statute Law Revision Act, 1970 (Act 42 of 1970) Eng
Pre-Union Statute Law Revision Act, 1967 (Act 78 of 1967) Eng
Prescribed Rate of Interest Act, 1975 (Act 55 of 1975) Eng
Prescription Act, 1969 (Act 68 of 1969) Eng
Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act, 2020 (Act 15 of 2020) Eng/Afr
Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (Act 12 of 2004) Eng
Prevention and combating of Hate Crimes and Hate speech Act, 2023 (Act 16 of 2023) English/Sepedi
Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Act, 2013 (Act 13 of 2013) Eng+1
Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013 (Act 7 of 2013) Eng - Directives - Forms - Regulations - Regulations S43(3)
Prevention of Counterfeiting of Currency Act, 1965 (Act 16 of 1965) Eng
Prevention of Family Violence Act, 1993 (Act 133 of 1993) Eng
Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 1998 (Act 121 of 1998) Eng
Prevention of Public Violence and Intimidation Act, 1991 (Act 139 of 1991) Eng
Prize Jurisdiction Act, 1968 (Act 3 of 1968) Eng
Prohibition of Disguises Act, 1969 (Act 16 of 1969) Eng
Prohibition of the Exhibition of Films on Sundays and Public Holidays Act, 1977 (Act 16 of 1977) Eng
Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act 2 of 2000) Eng / Regulations / Froms
Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 (Act 3 of 2000) Eng / Regulations
Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 (Act 4 of 2000) Eng / Regulations / Forms
Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, 1995 (Act 34 of 1995) Eng / Regulations / Forms
Protected Disclosures Act, 2000 (Act 26 of 2000) Eng / Practical Guidelines for Employees in terms of section 10(4)(a) [GG 34572, Notice No.702]
Protection from Harassment Act, 2011 (Act 17 of 2011) Eng / Regulations / Forms
Protection of Information Act, 1982 (Act 84 of 1982) Eng
Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act 4 of 2013) Eng / Regulations
Public Funding of Represented Political Parties Act, 1997 (Act 103 of 1997) Eng
Public Protector Act, 1994 (Act 23 of 1994) Eng
Qualifications of Legal Practitioners Amendment Act, 1997 (Act 78 of 1997) Eng
Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders (Countries in Africa) Act, 1989 (Act 6 of 1989) Eng
Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders Act, 1963 (Act 80 of 1963) Eng
Reciprocal Service of Civil Process Act, 1990 (Act 12 of 1990) Eng
Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards Act, 1977 (Act 40 of 1977) Eng
Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 1998 (Act 120 of 1998) Eng
Recognition of Foreign Legal Qualifications and Practice Act, 1993 (Act 114 of 1993) Eng
Reform of Customary Law of Succession and Regulation of Related Matters Act, 2009 (Act 11 of 2009) Eng
Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication Related Information Act, 2002 (Act 70 of 2002) Eng
Reinstatement of Enrolment of Certain Legal Practitioners Act, 2002 (Act 32 of 2002) Eng
Renaming of High Courts Act, 2008 (Act 30 of 2008) Eng
Repeal of the Black Administration Act and Amendment of Certain Laws Act, 2005 (Act 28 of 2005) Eng
Repeal of the Transkeian Penal Code Act, 2023 (Act 04 of 2023) Eng/Xho
Right of Appearance in the Courts Act, 1995 (Act 62 of 1995) Eng
Riotous Assemblies Act, 1956 (Act 17 of 1956) Eng (Only sections 16, 17 and 18 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, 1956 (Act 17 of 1956), are still in force.)
Rules Board for Courts of Law Act, 1985 (Act 107 of 1985) Eng
Security by Means of Movable Property Act, 1993 (Act 57 of 1993) Eng
Security Forces Board of Inquiry Act, 1993 (Act 95 of 1993) Eng
Sexual Offences Act, 1957 (Act 23 of 1957) Eng
Sherrifs Act, 1986 (Act 90 of 1986) Eng
Short Process Courts and Mediation in Certain Civil Cases Act, 1991 (Act 103 of 1991) Eng
Small Claims Court Act, 1984 (Act 61 of 1984) Eng / Regulations / Froms
South African Human Rights Commission Act, 2013 (Act 40 of 2013) Eng
South African Judicial Education Institute Act, 2008 (Act 14 of 2008) Eng
South African Law Reforms Commission Act, 1973 (Act 19 of 1973) Eng
Special Courts for Blacks Abolition Act, 1986 (Act 34 of 1986) Eng
Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, 1996 (Act 74 of 1996)Eng
State Attorney Act (Act 56 of 1957) Eng
State Liability Act, 1957 (Act 20 of 1957) Eng
State of Emergency Act, 1997 (Act 64 of 1997) Eng
Stock Theft Act, 1959 (Act 57 of 1959) Eng
Supreme Court Act, 1959 (Act 59 of 1959) Eng
Supreme Court Decree, 1990 (Ciskei) Amendment Act, 2011 (Act 16 of 2001) Eng
Superior Courts Act, 2013 (Act 10 of 2013) Eng
Traditional Courts Act, 2022 (Act 09 of 2022) Eng/Xho
Transfer of Powers and Duties of the State President Act, 1986 (Act 97 of 1986) Eng
Trespass Act, 1959 (Act 6 of 1959) Eng
Trust Property Control Act, 1988 (Act 57 of 1988) Eng / Forms
Vexatious Proceedings Act, 1956 (Act 3 of 1956) Eng
Wills Act, 1953 (Act 7 of 1953) Eng / Forms
Witchcraft Suppression Act, 1957 (Act 3 of 1957) Eng
Witness Protection and Services Act, 1998 (Act 112 of 1998) Eng
Admission of Advocates Act, 1964 (Act 74 of 1964) - The whole of this Act has been repealed by section 119 of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014, a provision which will come into operation on a date to be fixed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.
Admission of Legal Practitioners Amendment Act, 1995 (Act 33 of 1995) - The whole of this Act has been repealed by section 119 of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014, a provision which will come into operation on a date to be fixed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.
Attorneys Act, 1979 (Act 53 of 1979) - The whole of this Act has been repealed by section 119 of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014, a provision which will come into operation on a date to be fixed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.
Attorneys’ Admission Amendment and Legal Practitioners’ Fidelity Fund Act, 1941 (Act 19 of 1941)
The whole of this Act, except section 5, was repealed by section 86 (1)
of the Attorneys Act 53 of 1979. Section 5 has since been amended by section
26 (1) of the Trust Property Control Act 57 of 1988. The section, as amended,
appears below.
NOTE: The whole of this Act has been repealed by section 119 of the Legal
Practice Act 28 of 2014, a provision which will come into operation on a date
to be fixed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.
Black Administration Act, 1927 (Act 38 of 1927) - Repealed by the The Repeal of the Black Administration Act and Amendment of Certain Laws Act, 2006 (Act 28 of 2005).
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993 (Act 200 of 1993) - Repealed by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, except for certain sections, referred to in Schedule 6 to the 1996 Constitution, which remain in force.
Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Act, 1996 (Act 72 of 1996) - Repealed by section 313 of the Children's Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005), with effect from 1 April 2010.
Human Rights Commission Act, 1994 (Act 54 of 1994) - Repealed by the enactment of the South African Human Rights Commission Act, 2013 (Act 40 of 2013).
Interception and Monitoring Prohibition Amendment Act, 1995 (Act 77 of 1995) - Repealed by the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication Related Information Act, 2002
Judges’ Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Amendment Act, 1997 (Act 77 of 1997) - Repealed by the Judges’ Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Act, 2001 (Act 47 of 2001), with effect from 22 November 2001.
Judges’ Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Amendment Act, 1994 (Act 10 of 1994) - Repealed by the Judges’ Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Act, 2001(Act 47 of 2001), with effect from 22 November 2001.
Legal Aid Act, 1969 (Act 22 of 1969) - Repealed by the Legal Aid South Africa Act, 2014 (Act 39 of 2014).
Loss or Retention of Membership of National and Provincial Legislatures Act, 2002 (Act 22 of 2002) - Repealed by the Constitution Tenth Amendment Act of 2003 with effect from 20 March 2003.
National Youth Commission Act, 1996 (Act 19 of 1996) - Repealed by section 22 of the National Youth Development Agency Act, 2008 (Act No. 54 of 2008).
Natural Fathers of Children Born out of Wedlock Act, 1997 (Act 86 of 1997) - Repealed by section 313 of the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act 38 of 2005), with effect from 1 July 2007.
Section 4 of the Prevention of Family Violence Act, 1993 (Act 133 of 1993) - Repealed in terms of section 313 of the Children's Act, 2005 (Act 38 of 2005), on 1 April 2010
Proceeds of Crime Act, 1996 (Act 76 of 1996) - Repealed by the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 1998 (Act 121 of 1998), with effect from 21 January 1999.
State of Emergency Act, 1995 (Act 86 of 1995) - Repealed by the State of Emergency Act, 1997 (Act 64 of 1997), with effect from 21 November 1997.