The Rules of civil procedure in the Magistrates’ Court in South Africa have undergone significant changes in recent years that have impacted on the procedure, time limits and forms to be used in the Magistrates’ Court. LexisNexis South Africa’s handbook, Civil Practice in Magistrates’ Courts: The Practitioner's Manual, is an essential guide for attorneys practicing in the Magistrates' Court, as well as candidate attorneys and junior attorneys looking to bridge the gap between law school and litigation practice.

With particular emphasis on the new Rules of Practice in the Magistrates’ Courts, the book explains – in practical and concise terms – the legal process, from the first consultation, through the sequence of action and motion proceedings, as well as debt collection measures, appeals, execution, costs and ethics. It discusses the drafting of pleadings for actions and applications and provides detailed precedents in each instance.

The Rules of Court are included in an appendix, together with an extensive index to facilitate easy research synopsis of the essential allegations and easily accessible precedents..

Civil Practice in Magistrates’ Courts: The Practitioner's Manual, (ISBN: 9780409113778) is available through the LexisNexis online bookstore at a cost of R484.50 including VAT, excluding delivery.
 

About the Author
Christo Smith BA(RAU) LLB(Unisa) Cert EEP (Unisa) is a practising attorney of the High Court of South Africa. He is also the author of Eviction and Rental Claims: A Practical Guide.

About LexisNexis Legal & Professional
LexisNexis Legal & Professional is a leading global provider of content and technology solutions that enable professionals in legal, corporate, tax, government, academic and non-profit organizations to make informed decisions and achieve better business outcomes. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. Today, LexisNexis Legal & Professional harnesses leading-edge technology and world-class content to help professionals work in faster, easier and more effective ways. Through close collaboration with its customers, the company ensures organizations can leverage its solutions to reduce risk, improve productivity, increase profitability and grow their business. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 175 countries with 10,000 employees worldwide, is part of RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.

In July 2012, investment firm Tsiya Group, chaired by Fani Titi, acquired a minority interest in LexisNexis® South Africa. Tsiya is a privately owned investment group that was established in 2008 and focuses on acquiring interests in unlisted businesses. The company has a particular interest in the media and information industry and is currently invested in two radio stations, namely Heart FM (which broadcasts in the Western Cape) and Gagasi FM (which broadcasts in KwaZulu-Natal).