The fun bench — quiz, crossword and a word hunt

A short exercise for chambers. The answers are at the back, and need not be placed on the record.

Eight questions for the sitting month

1. Which committee was asked to finalise the draft policy on artificial intelligence?

2. How many superior-court vacancies is the October 2026 Judicial Service Commission sitting convened to fill?

3. In Van Schalkwyk, how many of the thirteen misconduct findings remained after the concession on review?

4. On what date do the Madlanga Commission’s public hearings resume?

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JASA · Judicial Officers Alliance of South Africa The Bench · Sixth Edition · October 2026

5. By what date is the Commission’s final report to be submitted to the President?

6. On what date are the local government elections to be held?

7. To what sum was the Small Claims Court ceiling raised on 1 August 2026?

8. From what date does interest on general damages for unlawful arrest ordinarily run, after Khedama?

Crossword — across

1. The judicial officer of the district and regional court. (10) 3. What this newsletter is named for. (5) 5. The statute whose section 127(8) was read in Dreyer and Nedbank. (3) 7. uMndeni weNkosi of iNkosi ______. (7) 8. The applicant in the interest case against the Minister of Police. (7)

Down

1. The Commission whose public hearings stand adjourned until 9 November. (8)

Word hunt — circle them in chambers

BENCH KARIKAN KHEDAMA LUTHULI MADLANGA SECTION165

ELECTION INTEREST JASA MAGISTRATE

B E N C H K A R I K A N Q M A G I S T R A T E Z X W K H E D A M A L U T H U L I

S E C T I O N 1 6 5 M A D I N T E R E S T J A S A N E L E C T I O N B E N C H M A D L A N G A K H E D A L U T H U L I M A G I S T

Answers on the last page. Do not put them on the record.