CHIEF REGISTRAR is a South African government vacancy at Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ). This job is part of Circular 15 of 2026 from the DPSA. 2 posts available | centre: Eastern Cape Division of the High Court: Mthatha Ref No: 2026/11/OCJ Eastern Cape Division of the High Court: Makhanda Ref No: 2025/12/OCJ | closing date: 22 May 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Salary
R610 434 – R1 442 451 per annum (MR6). The successful candidates will be required to sign a performance agreement. Salary will be in accordance with Occupation Specific Dispensation determination (Resolution 1 of 2008). Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a service certificate/s for determination of their experience.
Centre
Eastern Cape Division of the High Court: Mthatha Ref No: 2026/11/OCJ Eastern Cape Division of the High Court: Makhanda Ref No: 2025/12/OCJ
Requirements
- Applicants should be in possession of an LLB Degree or equivalent qualification.
- A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience as a Registrar in Legal environment.
- At least eight (8) years’ post graduate legal experience gained as a Registrar.
- A valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage.
- All shortlisted candidates shall undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment method to determine the candidate's suitability based on the post's technical and generic requirements.
- Knowledge and skills: Knowledge of registry duties, knowledge of legislative framework governing the public service, knowledge of storage and retrieval procedures in terms of the working environment, knowledge of Quasi-Judicial, knowledge of Case flow management, knowledge of Court documentation management and Human Management, Batho Pele Principles, numerical Skills, problem solving skills, decision-making skills, computer literacy (MS Office), excellent communication skills (written and verbal), good people skills/ interpersonal relations, planning and organizing skills, report writing skills and interviewing skills.
Duties
- Manage the Information and case/ Court documentation Management System: Implement information desk in the Court, develop and maintain a complaints management system, Interface with external Court stakeholders on a regular basis, Ensure that the checking of relevant registers is done in terms of the codes.
- Provide support to court and caseflow management / Quasi-Judicial functions: Develop & implement case management strategies, Review and implement projects to improve Court efficiency regularly, implement a case/ Court documentation and information management system.
- Implement Service Level Agreements and Strategic Court projects: Ensure that all J33 requests to Service Providers are timeously returned, liaise with the service provider on a regular basis to ensure smooth service delivery, Peruse proposed amendments received from the rules board and provide comments, if any to them.
- Provide leadership of the High Court: Develop annual institutional performance reports & other statutory reports, give direction and guidance to the court based on best court management practices and lead transformation in the High court.
- Supervise and develop staff: Ensure general supervision of employees, allocate duties and perform quality control on the work delivered by officials, manage leave of staff, advise and lead supervisees with regard to all aspects of the work.
Enquiries
Technical Related Enquiries: Ms L Frazer Tel No: (046) 622 5758 HR Related Enquiries: Mr S Mponzo Tel No: (043) 726 5217
Applications
Where to send your application.
Mthatha: Applications can be sent via email to: 2026/11/OCJ@judiciary.org.za Makhanda: Applications can be sent via email to: 2026/12/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
Department Notes
All applications must be submitted on a New Z83 form, which can be downloaded on internet at www.judiciary.org.za / www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp or obtainable from any Public Service Department and should be accompanied by a recent comprehensive CV only; contactable referees (telephone numbers and email addresses must be indicated). Please send your documents in a PDF and put them in one folder. Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from Human Resources. All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One must be a practical exercise, and the other must be an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical competency exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which will be communicated by the Department. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tools. Applicants could be required to provide consent for access to their social media accounts. Prior to appointment for SMS, a candidate would be required to complete the Nyukela Programme: Pre-entry Certificate to Senior Management Services as endorsed by DPSA which is an online course, endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG). The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into the SMS and the full details can be sourced by the following link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/. Each application form must be fully completed, duly signed and initialed on both pages by the applicant. The application must indicate the correct job title, the office where the position is advertised and the reference number as stated in the advert. Failure by the applicant to complete, sign and initial the application form will lead to disqualification of the application during the selection process. Applications on the old Z83 will unfortunately not be considered. Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation considered. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, reference checks and employment verification). Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right not to make any appointment(s) to the advertised post(s). Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late, will not be considered. Failure to submit all the requested documents will result in the application not being considered during the selection process. All successful candidates will be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within 3 months of appointment, as well as be required to undergo a security clearance three (3) months after appointment. The Office the Chief Justice complies with the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA); Act No. 4 of 2013. We will use your personal information provided to us for the purpose of recruitment only and more specifically for the purpose of the position/vacancy you have applied for. In the event that your application was unsuccessful, the Office of the Chief Justice will retain your personal information for internal audit purposes as required by policies. All the information requested now or during the process is required for recruitment purposes. Failure to provide requested information will render your application null and void. The Office of the Chief Justice will safeguard the security and confidentiality of all information you shared during the recruitment process. Erratum: Kindly note that post of Law Researcher (X2 Posts) with Ref No: 2026/05/OCJ advertised Public Service Vacancy Circular 14 dated 24 April 2026 is amended as follows: The correct centre is Labour and Labour Appeals Court: Johannesburg and for technical related enquiries please contact: Ms F Lukhele Tel No: (011) 494 8538. Law Researcher with Ref No: 2026/07/OCJ advertised Public Service Vacancy Circular 14 dated 24 April 2026 is amended as follows: The correct centre is Free State High Court: Bloemfontein, and for technical related enquiries please contact: Mr. A. Knoetze Tel No: (051) 492 4623.
Notes
The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with Employment Equity goals.
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Original Text
SALARY : R610 434 – R1 442 451 per annum (MR6). The successful candidates will be required to sign a performance agreement. Salary will be in accordance with
Occupation Specific Dispensation determination (Resolution 1 of 2008).
Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a service certificate/s for determination of their experience.
CENTRE : Eastern Cape Division of the High Court: Mthatha Ref No: 2026/11/OCJ Eastern Cape Division of the High Court: Makhanda Ref No: 2025/12/OCJ
REQUIREMENTS : Applicants should be in possession of an LLB Degree or equivalent qualification. A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience as a Registrar in Legal
environment. At least eight (8) years’ post graduate legal experience gained as a Registrar. A valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage. All
shortlisted candidates shall undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment method to determine the candidate's suitability based on the
post's technical and generic requirements. Knowledge and skills: Knowledge of registry duties, knowledge of legislative framework governing the public
service, knowledge of storage and retrieval procedures in terms of the working environment, knowledge of Quasi-Judicial, knowledge of Case flow
management, knowledge of Court documentation management and Human
Management, Batho Pele Principles, numerical Skills, problem solving skills, decision-making skills, computer literacy (MS Office), excellent communication
skills (written and verbal), good people skills/ interpersonal relations, planning and organizing skills, report writing skills and interviewing skills.
DUTIES : Manage the Information and case/ Court documentation Management System: Implement information desk in the Court, develop and maintain a complaints
management system, Interface with external Court stakeholders on a regular
basis, Ensure that the checking of relevant registers is done in terms of the codes. Provide support to court and caseflow management / Quasi-Judicial
functions: Develop & implement case management strategies, Review and implement projects to improve Court efficiency regularly, implement a case/
Court documentation and information management system. Implement Service
Level Agreements and Strategic Court projects: Ensure that all J33 requests to
Service Providers are timeously returned, liaise with the service provider on a regular basis to ensure smooth service delivery, Peruse proposed
amendments received from the rules board and provide comments, if any to them. Provide leadership of the High Court: Develop annual institutional
performance reports & other statutory reports, give direction and guidance to the court based on best court management practices and lead transformation
in the High court. Supervise and develop staff: Ensure general supervision of employees, allocate duties and perform quality control on the work delivered
by officials, manage leave of staff, advise and lead supervisees with regard to all aspects of the work.
ENQUIRIES : Technical Related Enquiries: Ms L Frazer Tel No: (046) 622 5758 HR Related Enquiries: Mr S Mponzo Tel No: (043) 726 5217
APPLICATIONS : Mthatha: Applications can be sent via email to: 2026/11/OCJ@judiciary.org.za Makhanda: Applications can be sent via email to:
2026/12/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
NOTE : The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with Employment Equity goals.
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 for reference.
Disclaimer: This vacancy was imported from the official DPSA circular PDF. Please confirm the reference number, closing date, and application instructions in the original circular before applying. View the official DPSA vacancy circulars.



