The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) has announced a range of employment opportunities under Vacancy Circular 33, together with a 24-month Graduate Internship Programme commencing in April 2027.
The advertised vacancies are located across different divisions of the High Court, including positions in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. The opportunities include court interpretation, judicial support, court administration, and security-related roles.
The closing date for the advertised vacancies is 28 September 2026.
Office of the Chief Justice Vacancies – Circular 33
The following positions are included in the latest vacancy circular:
- Senior Court Interpreter – 1 Post
- Judge’s Secretaries – 12 Posts
- Registrar (MR3–MR5) – 1 Post
- Security Supervisor – 1 Post
- Security Officer – Vacancy reference numbers 2026/137/OCJ and 2026/135/OCJ
1. Senior Court Interpreter
Reference Number: 2026/131/OCJ
Division: Western Cape Division of the High Court, Cape Town
The Office of the Chief Justice is recruiting a Senior Court Interpreter for the Western Cape Division of the High Court in Cape Town.
The position is suited to a candidate with the appropriate language and court-interpreting background who can support effective communication during court proceedings.
Applicants should consult the full vacancy circular for the specific qualification, experience, and application requirements attached to this position.
2. Judge’s Secretaries – 12 Posts
Reference Number: 2026/132/OCJ
Division: Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria
Number of Posts: 12
Twelve Judge’s Secretary positions are available at the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria.
The role provides administrative and secretarial support within the judicial environment. Successful candidates will work in an environment where professionalism, confidentiality, organization, and attention to detail are essential.
Candidates interested in these positions should review the official vacancy information for the complete requirements and duties.
3. Registrar (MR3–MR5)
Reference Number: 2026/130/OCJ
Division: Gauteng Division of the High Court, Johannesburg
The Office of the Chief Justice is also recruiting a Registrar (MR3–MR5) for the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg.
This position falls within court administration and provides an opportunity for a suitably qualified candidate to contribute to the effective administration of court-related processes.
Applicants should check the full advertisement for the prescribed qualifications, experience, salary information, and application procedure.
4. Security Supervisor
Reference Number: 2026/134/OCJ
Division: Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria
One Security Supervisor vacancy is available at the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria.
The position is intended for a suitably qualified and experienced security professional capable of working within a court environment.
Interested applicants should consult the detailed vacancy advertisement to confirm the specific requirements before applying.
5. Security Officer
Reference Numbers: 2026/137/OCJ and 2026/135/OCJ
Division: KwaZulu-Natal Local Division of the High Court, Durban
The Office of the Chief Justice has also advertised Security Officer opportunities at the KwaZulu-Natal Local Division of the High Court in Durban.
Candidates with the relevant security qualifications and experience may consider applying, subject to meeting the detailed requirements contained in the official vacancy circular.
Graduate Internship Programme 2027
In addition to the permanent and other employment opportunities, the Office of the Chief Justice is inviting applications from qualifying unemployed graduates for its Graduate Internship Programme.
The internship programme will provide graduates with an opportunity to gain workplace exposure within the justice and court administration environment.
Internship Duration
Start Date: 1 April 2027
End Date: 31 March 2029
Duration: 24 months
The programme is intended for unemployed graduates who meet the eligibility requirements set by the Office of the Chief Justice.
Who Can Apply for the Graduate Internship?
Applicants for the Graduate Internship Programme must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be unemployed graduates.
- Not have previously participated in an internship programme.
Applicants should also review the detailed list of internship opportunities because individual internship posts may have specific academic qualifications and other requirements.
Employment Equity Considerations
The Office of the Chief Justice is an equal opportunity employer.
When filling the internship opportunities, the department’s Employment Equity Plan will be taken into consideration, with preference given to persons with disabilities.
For vacant posts generally, the Office of the Chief Justice states that relevant constitutional, employment equity, and human resources requirements will be considered. Preference will be given to women, persons with disabilities, and youth.
How to Apply
Because the advertised positions have different requirements and application details, candidates should first review the complete vacancy information before submitting an application.
The full list of vacancies, qualifications, requirements, and application instructions is available through the Office of the Chief Justice website:
Candidates should identify the position they qualify for and follow the application instructions provided for that particular vacancy.
Application Deadline
The closing date for the Office of the Chief Justice Vacancy Circular 33 opportunities is 28 September 2026
Candidates should submit their applications before the closing date and carefully follow all instructions contained in the official vacancy advertisements.
The Graduate Internship Programme is scheduled to commence on 1 April 2027 and run until 31 March 2029.
Final Thought
The latest Office of the Chief Justice recruitment provides opportunities for candidates across several areas, including court interpretation, judicial administration, secretarial support, court registration, and security services.
The 24-month Graduate Internship Programme also provides unemployed South African graduates with an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience within the justice sector.
Candidates should review the complete vacancy details, confirm that they meet the requirements for their preferred position, and submit their applications before the applicable deadline.
