The three-day gathering will provide a platform for local and international stakeholders to reflect on the progress made in strengthening constitutional democracy and address ongoing challenges affecting access to justice.
North West
1Min
South Africa
Kubayi to host international access to justice conference at Sun City
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi will host an international conference at Sun City from November 11 to 13, bringing together global justice leaders, ministers, judicial officers and civil society representatives to discuss ways of improving access to justice.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi will host the Access to Justice International Conference at the Sun City Convention Centre in the North West from November 11 to 13.
The conference coincides with the 30th anniversary of the adoption of South Africa’s Constitution, which was adopted in 1996 and established the country as a democratic state founded on human rights, dignity, equality and freedom.
The three-day gathering will provide a platform for local and international stakeholders to reflect on the progress made in strengthening constitutional democracy and address ongoing challenges affecting access to justice.
These include persistent inequality, corruption, gender-based violence, unemployment and declining public trust in state institutions.
The conference will bring together representatives from governments, judiciaries, academia, civil society, international organisations and development partners to discuss ways of building justice systems that are inclusive, accessible and responsive to people's needs.
Key discussions will focus on emerging justice challenges, legal aid, digital transformation, alternative dispute resolution and stronger cooperation between justice institutions.
Kubayi said access to justice should be linked to the broader social and economic rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
“Access to justice cannot be separated from access to the broader social and economic rights guaranteed by our Constitution,” she said.
She said the conference would strengthen partnerships and encourage innovative approaches, including improved access to legal aid, digital justice services, alternative dispute resolution and more responsive support systems for victims of crime.
“Our collective ambition must be to build justice systems that people can access, understand and trust,” Kubayi said.
Among the expected participants are heads of United Nations agencies, the executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the ICC deputy chief prosecutor and representatives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Ministers from Southern African Development Community (SADC) and BRICS countries are also expected to attend, alongside judicial officers, prosecutors, academics and civil society representatives.
The programme will include a gala dinner, a high-level segment and expert panel discussions aimed at turning international experiences and recommendations into practical reforms.
The discussions will also contribute to broader efforts to strengthen the rule of law and advance Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice and accountable institutions.
The Ministry said the conference seeks to develop practical strategies to improve access to justice, particularly for vulnerable and underserved communities.
