Justice Conference to Convene in Sun City
South Africa's Justice Department hosts the Access to Justice International Conference at the Sun City Convention Centre from 11 to 13 November 2026.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Law
Live Poll
Do you trust the justice system in your country to treat ordinary people fairly?
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will host the Access to Justice International Conference from Wednesday, 11 November, to Friday, 13 November 2026, at the Sun City Convention Centre in the North West province. The event coincides with South Africa marking the 30th anniversary of its Constitution, adopted in 1996.
Why it matters
The conference brings together governments, judiciaries, academia, civil society and international organisations to examine emerging justice challenges and share comparative experiences. Organisers aim to develop practical and actionable strategies to improve access to justice for all.
The conference runs for three days, from 11 to 13 November 2026, at the Sun City Convention Centre. It is timed to mark 30 years since South Africa's Constitution was adopted in 1996, and the stub does not report any outcomes yet.
The players
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
The South African government department responsible for the justice system and constitutional affairs, which hosts the conference.
International Criminal Court
The permanent international tribunal based in The Hague that prosecutes genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, whose President is attending the conference.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
The UN agency working against drugs, crime and terrorism, whose Executive Director is among the participants.
The details
Participants include heads of United Nations agencies, the Executive Director of the UNODC, the President of the International Criminal Court and the ICC Deputy Chief Prosecutor, as well as Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development representatives. Ministers from Southern African Development Community and BRICS countries, judicial officers, prosecutors, civil society representatives and academics are also attending.
Timeline
1996: South Africa's Constitution is adopted.
Wednesday, 11 November 2026: The Access to Justice International Conference begins.
Friday, 13 November 2026: The conference concludes.
Constitutional Milestone
The conference is held as South Africa marks 30 years since its 1996 Constitution, which set the framework for the country's justice system. Hosting the event at this anniversary places current access-to-justice debates within that founding framework.
Anyone planning to attend in person should note that the conference is held at the Sun City Convention Centre in the North West province on 11 to 13 November 2026. The event is aimed at judicial officers, prosecutors, civil society and academics rather than the general public.
The takeaway
The conference is an opportunity for governments, courts and civil society to coordinate on making justice more accessible across borders. Its practical outcomes will indicate whether the 30th-anniversary focus on the Constitution translates into concrete reform.
What happens next
The conference concludes on Friday, 13 November 2026, at which point any outcomes or strategies announced will be known.
Further reading
For broader context on how South Africa's legal framework is applied, explore Law coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SAnews.
Live Poll
Do you trust the justice system in your country to treat ordinary people fairly?
