JUSTICE DEPT LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME FOR 1997

Issued by: Department of Justice

MEDIA RELEASE REGARDING THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR 1997

The Department of Justice has prioritised the following legislation to be finalised as early as possible during the 1997-session of Parliament:

• Magistrates' Courts Amendment Bill, 1996 which deals with committal to prison in respect of debt and new simplified debt-recovery procedure.
• Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 1997, which deletes all references to the death penalty from the Statute Book and affects consequential amendments.
• Abolition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 1997, which deletes all references to corporal punishment from the Statute Book and contains numerous consequential amendments.
• Judicial Matters Amendment Bill, 1997. This bill contains amendments which do not justify separate bills and provision is made, inter alia, for
• the increase of the penal jurisdiction of the lower courts;
• the prohibition of military training by non-governmental institutions.
• Divorce Courts Amendment Bill, 1997, whereby the "Black Divorce Courts" are de-racialised.
• National Prosecuting Authority Bill, 1997, that provides for the establishment of the national prosecuting authority and the appointment of Directors of Public Prosecutions.
• Witness Protection Programme Bill, 1997, which provides for the protection of witnesses and the establishment of an Office for Witness Protection.
• Powers of Natural Fathers of Extra-marital Children Bill, 1997. This bill establishes certain rights for the father of an extra-marital child in respect of access to such child and his role pertaining to the adoption of such child.

Furthermore the bills hereunder, although not part of the above- mentioned priority group, are scheduled to be finalised during the 1997-session of Parliament:

• Establishment of Family Courts Bill, 1997, that will provide for the establishment of family courts for the adjudication of divorce actions.
• Assessors Bill, 1997, which will regulate the appointment of assessors in lower courts.
• Judges' Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Amendment Bill, 1997. This Bill makes provision for -

- the payment of a non-taxable allowance to Constitutional Judges;

- the allowance payable to a "Supreme Court" Constitutional Judge to form part of his or her salary;

- increased benefits for a judge discharged from active service who has performed 20 years' active service;

- a judge aged 75 years or older to voluntarily perform further service if so requested; and

- the gratuity payable to the surviving spouse of a constitu- tional judge to be paid to his or her estate if not survived by such a spouse.

• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination Bill, 1997.
• Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Bill, 1997.
• Sheriffs Amendment Bill, 1997, that provides for the rationalisation of the sheriffs profession.
• The prevention of Crime Fund Bill, 1997, which provides, inter alia, for the compensation of victims of crime.
• Rationalisation of Courts Bill, 1997, which will provide for the rationalisation of the Provincial and Local Divisions of the Supreme Court.
• Maintenance Amendment Bill, 1997, containing various amendments to the principal Act.
• Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill, 1997, which will further regulate the granting of bail.
• Unification of Legal Qualification Bill, 1997, which will provide for a single legal degree for the legal profession.
• Money Laundering, Project 104.
• Judicial Service Commission Amendment Bill, 1997, that will provide for the change of name of the Commission.
• Human Rights Commission Amendment Bill, 1997, that will provide for the change of name of the Commission.
• Legal Aid Amendment Bill, 1997 (Review of Legal Aid system.)
• Second Legal Aid Amendment Bill, 1997 (Various amendments to the principal Act.)
• Interception and Monitoring Prohibition Amendment Bill, 1997 Various amendments to the principal Act.)

The promulgation of this legislation will bring our statutory law into line with the demands of an ever-changing society and will provide a more accessible justice system.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE BY THE LIAISON DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

PRETORIA

19 DECEMBER 1996

ENQUIRIES: Mr Paul Setsetse TEL: (012) 323 8581 / 083252 4770 FAX: (012) 324 7387