The application deadline was 28 August 2026.
The Office of the Chief Justice has current vacancies in court administration, legal research and human-resource management. The latest Office of the Chief Justice jobs include a Chief Registrar for the North West Division of the High Court, a Senior Law Researcher at the Gauteng Division in Pretoria and an Assistant Director: Human Resource Management in the Western Cape Provincial Service Centre. These roles span legal, court-management and corporate-support functions, with salary scales ranging from R487,197 to more than R1.4 million depending on the position and occupational dispensation.
Office of the Chief Justice Vacancies Overview
- Organisation: Office of the Chief Justice
- Current Posts: 3
- Locations: Mmabatho, Pretoria and Western Cape
- Closing Date: 28 August 2026
- Application: New Z83 and comprehensive CV
Available Positions
- Chief Registrar — North West Division of the High Court, Mmabatho — Ref 2026/96/OCJ — R610,434 to R1,442,451 per annum
- Senior Law Researcher — Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria — Ref 2026/97/OCJ — R605,742 to R713,535 per annum
- Assistant Director: Human Resource Management — Western Cape Provincial Service Centre — Ref 2026/98/OCJ — R487,197 to R573,897 per annum
Chief Registrar – Mmabatho
The Chief Registrar leads court-registry and case-documentation functions at the North West Division of the High Court. Applicants need an LLB or another recognised four-year legal qualification and at least eight years of post-qualification experience obtained as a Registrar. A valid driver’s licence is required.
The role manages case and court documentation systems, information services, complaints processes and case-flow management. It also supports quasi-judicial functions, court-efficiency projects and strategic service arrangements with external providers. As a senior court-management position, it includes leadership, supervision, quality control and staff development.
Senior Law Researcher – Pretoria
The Senior Law Researcher supports judges in the Gauteng Division of the High Court through advanced legal research and analysis. An LLB at NQF Level 8 is required, along with at least three years of legal-research experience, including two years at supervisory level. The advert highlights experience using electronic legal research resources such as Westlaw, LexisNexis and Jutastats.
- Conduct legal research on instructions from the judiciary.
- Review court materials and identify legal issues.
- Prepare research memoranda and analytical summaries.
- Check references and footnotes in judgments and legal articles.
- Support drafting of speeches, conference papers and legal articles.
- Keep the judiciary informed of legal developments and landmark judgments.
- Supervise researchers and maintain quality standards.
The role requires strong understanding of South African law and the judicial system, good judgment, research accuracy, confidentiality and the ability to work under strict court deadlines.
Assistant Director: Human Resource Management
The Western Cape HR role is aimed at an experienced public-sector HR professional. Applicants need a three-year National Diploma in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Public Management, Personnel Management or an equivalent NQF Level 6 qualification with 360 credits. At least three years of relevant HR experience is required, including one year at supervisory level, together with formal PERSAL training.
The Assistant Director manages HR administration across conditions of service and benefits, including leave, housing, medical aid, injury on duty, termination, long-service recognition, overtime, relocation, pension and allowances. The role also supports recruitment and selection, appointments, transfers and qualification verification.
Court and Public Service Requirements
The three vacancies require different professional backgrounds, but all sit within the administration of South Africa’s superior courts. Applicants should match their qualification and experience to the exact reference number. Shortlisted candidates are subject to suitability checks, and the Office of the Chief Justice may require practical and integrity assessments as part of the selection process.
How to Apply
Applications must use the current Z83 form and include a recent comprehensive CV. The vacancy circular provides the correct provincial delivery details and, for some posts, dedicated application email addresses. For example, the Chief Registrar application can be sent to 2026/96/OCJ@judiciary.org.za and the Senior Law Researcher application to 2026/97/OCJ@judiciary.org.za.
Open current government vacancies
