The formality of address in any court room in South Africa has always amazed me. In the Magistrates Courts, the magistrates are addressed as “Your Worship”. In the high courts, male judges are addressed as “My Lord”, and female judges are addressed as “My Lady”.
This practice becomes second nature to those of us within the Legal Profession and has a deep rooted history in our complex non-codified legal system. The English law influence on our law is particularly responsible for this practice. However, today, many years after the decolonisation of South Africa, one must really ask oneself “What is in a name?” What is the significance or insignificance of us addressing presiding officers the way we do?
Click here to read the full article by Tasneem Antulay, Director of Maponya. She was assisted by Nape Masipa.