Services as a Small Claims Court

The Magistrates Court of Somerset East DOES operate as a Small Claims Court!

Who may institute a claim? -- Anyone except juristic persons such as Companies, Close Corporations and Associations. A person under 18 must be assisted by a parent or legal guardian.

Against whom may a claim be instituted? -- With the exception of the State, against anyone, including Companies, Close Corporations and Associations. NB: Please note that claims cannot be instituted against Municipalities/Local Government in a Small Claims Court.

What amount can be claimed? -- An amount not exceeding R 15 000. (This amount is determined by the Minister from time to time in the Government Gazette. Latest: G 37450 RG 10153 GoN 185, 18 Mar 2014. If your claim exceeds R 15 000 in value, you can institute a claim for a lesser amount to pursue your case in the Small Claims Court.

More information about the Small Claims Court is available here: http://www.justice.gov.za/scc/scc.htm

Services as an Equality Court

The Magistrates Court of Somerset East DOES operate as an Equality Court!

Equality Courts have been set up to help someone who believes that they have suffered unfair discrimination, hate speech or harassment. These courts make sure that it is easy for someone with such a case to bring their case to the court and that the issue is finalised quickly.

Anyone can take a case to the Equality Court, even if you are not directly involved in what happened. This means a complaint to the court can be made against someone or an organisation you believe have failed to respect the rights of another person.

The Equality Courts deal with complaints that are about unfair discrimination, hate speech or harassment.

More information about the Equality Court is available here: http://www.justice.gov.za/EQCact/eqc_main.html

Location map for Somerset East Magistrate Court