Judicial probity and ethical standards: The Judicial Conduct Tribunal’s decision on Judge President John Hlope

Abstract

This case note on the Judicial Conduct Tribunal’s (hereinafter, “the tribunal”) decision regarding Judge President John Hlophe (hereinafter, “Hlophe” for the sake of brevity) in April 2021 is prompted not only by the increasing attacks on the South African judiciary, but also by the moral force which underlies the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary as constitutional guarantees.