Gerhard Painter is the Chairperson. Quarterly meetings are held with the Civil Magistrate and Clerk of the Court, Pretoria. Minutes of the Meetings are available from Gerhard on request. During the past year, the greatest problem was the Road Accident matters not been settled and creating an overloaded Court Roll. The problem has been addressed and Road Accident matters have been separated from the balance of the matters heard on a daily basis. The National Credit Act has also resulted in an increase of the workload of the Magistrates and the Clerks of the Court.
Confusion still exists as to how the Act should be applied and problems arise from time to time. Members of the Association are invited to refer problems to Gerhard Painter and he will attempt to resolve same in discussions with the Head Magistrate Mrs. Rademan.
A number of matters are still being heard by the Small Claims Court but there is always a need for Commissioners. The Profession is requested to make themselves available as Commissioners. All in all it appears that the Magistrate Court is running smoothly.
Gerhard can be reached at: painter@friedland.co.za
