Programme of Action & Objectives
PROGRAMME of ACTION and OBJECTIVES
The programme of action sets out JAG's eight objectives.
Advance Constitutional values and Rule of Law
Promote constitutional democracy by ensuring that all courts uphold the rule of law, judicial independence, impartiality, dignity, accessibility and effectiveness.
Actively advance section 165 of the Constitution
Actively advance section 165 of the Constitution and establish channels of communication with the Chief Justice in matters of Norms and Standards to ensure that judges at all levels of the judiciary are given equal access to the judiciary's resources.
Actively advance the cause of a single judiciary
Actively advance the cause of a single judiciary as a priority to ensure that the value of equality of access to independent courts is realised for the benefit of all court users, particularly the disadvantaged and indigent users of courts who may not afford further litigation in the higher judiciary.
Promote and Protect judges
Promote and Protect judges who are prejudiced or intimidated by private or public entities owing to the exercising of the right to freedom of expression as provided in the Constitution.
Advance equality of judicial remuneration and service benefits
Advance the right of equality of judicial remuneration and service benefits and to challenge through litigation or other appropriate means to stop further discrimination against judges of lower courts to fair remuneration, appropriate to qualification and experience.
Protect and support the lower courts
Actively engage with the other organs of government to protect and support the lower courts in particular to ensure the independence, impartiality, dignity, accessibility and effectiveness of the courts.as provided in section 165(4) of the Constitution. The right to safety and security in performance of judicial functions is an aspect of judicial independence in terms of this provision.
Legislative Reform
Advance as a matter of high importance legislative reform, including the legislation to repeal the Magistrates Courts Act and Magistrates Act. The change of names of lower courts is essential to correctly reflect the judicial functions performed by lower courts.
Conforming with constitutional values
Conforming with constitutional values especially the need for all courts to function independently and impartially within the constitutional democracy.
Constitutional Democracy