The lodging of an appeal is a process whereby the order made by a judge or magistrate can be overturned if one can prove that the said judge or magistrate made an error in fact or law in ultimately arriving at the judgement and order. If this can be established, the order can be overturned on appeal.

Both civil and criminal orders in the High Courts and Magistrate’s Courts are appealable. South African courts act in a hierarchy, namely the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, the various High Courts across the Republic and the Regional and District Magistrate’s Courts. The Regional and District Magistrate’s Courts are also known as lower courts and matters of appeal from these courts will be heard by the High Court. Appeals from the High Court can either be heard by a full bench of Judges (three Judges) of the High Court or by the Supreme Court of Appeal. The Constitutional Court mostly adjudicates Constitutional matters, but can also function as the final Court of Appeal.

“You deserve a re-trial. You have the right to a fair trial.”

As the Supreme Court of Appeal is situated in Bloemfontein, our appeals department will be able to advise you as to whether there are merits to appeal the order granted against you, in an attempt to overturn the judgement. Our team is ready to assist you in this regard, as well as with the appeal process generally. We are also vastly experienced in preparing appeal records relevant to appeals noted to the country’s High Courts as well as the Supreme Court of Appeal and our team is ready to provide you with a quotation for the preparation thereof.

Our Personal Approach

Usually, you only have a short amount of time to file an appeal after the judge issues the order or decision that you want to appeal. To start the appeals process, you must file a Notice of Appeal within the time limit. At Seane Mokhele Attorneys, we have an extensive knowledge of the rules and apply our minds and expertise to your matter to ensure that we get your judgement overturned. We first sort in chronological order, all the pleadings, notices, exhibits, transcriptions, judgments, reasons, and any other documents exchanged in the matter in the court(s) a quo