David Unterhalter
David Unterhalter | |
---|---|
Judge of the High Court | |
Assumed office 1 January 2018 | |
Appointed by | Jacob Zuma |
Division | Gauteng |
Personal details | |
Born | Transvaal Union of South Africa | 18 November 1958
Parent | Jack Unterhalter |
Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge University of the Witwatersrand University College, Oxford |
David Unterhalter (born 18 November 1958) is a South African jurist and
Early life and education
Unterhalter was born on 18 November 1958 in Johannesburg.[1] His father was Jack Unterhalter, a lawyer who attained public prominence representing political prisoners during apartheid.[2][3] Unterhalter attended Trinity College, Cambridge, where he completed a BA in 1980, converted to an MA in 1987. He went on to an LLB at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1984 and a BCL at University College, Oxford in 1985.[1]
Legal practice
Unterhalter was admitted as an advocate of the
While remaining a member of the Johannesburg Bar, Unterhalter was called to the
Gauteng High Court: 2018–present
In October 2017, the Judicial Service Commission interviewed Unterhalter and recommended him as suitable for permanent appointment to the Gauteng High Court.[11][12] The following month, President Jacob Zuma confirmed his appointment, which took effect on 1 January 2018.[2][13] Later that year, he was seconded as an acting judge to the Competition Appeal Court, where he served between June 2018 and December 2021.[7] In addition, he has served several stints as an acting judge in higher courts: in the Constitutional Court for two terms in 2022, and in the Supreme Court of Appeal on eight occasions between June 2020 and November 2023.[1]
On several occasions, Unterhalter was shortlisted for appointment to higher courts. He interviewed unsuccessfully for vacancies at the Constitutional Court in April 2021,
Academic appointments
Between 2007 and 2013, Unterhalter was a professor of law at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he formerly led the Centre for Applied Legal Studies.
Personal life
Unterhalter is Jewish,[2] and he was a member of the Democratic Party between 1989 and 1994.[7] He was a member of the Helen Suzman Foundation before he joined the bench.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Unterhalter, David". Supreme Court of Appeal. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Unterhalter weighs up his new role as judge". Jewish Report. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Hawker, Dianne (6 April 2021). "Who's up for the top judicial posts in the ConCourt?". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Set aside Simelane order: ConCourt hears". News24. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Respect sex workers' privacy, Concourt hears". IOL. 5 March 2002. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Scorpions battle: Concern over separation of powers". The Mail & Guardian. 20 August 2008. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d "JSC Interview David Unterhalter SC". Judges Matter. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "ConCourt puts Paia in the party-funding spotlight". The Mail & Guardian. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ "Ramaphosa: Marikana violence dastardly criminal". News24. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Faull, Lionel (21 May 2010). "Varsity row over Israel links". Mail and Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021.
- ^ "Aspirant judges grilled on reserved judgments". Business Day. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Seven recommendations for judges made by the JSC". Business Day. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Pijoos, Iavan (2 November 2017). "Zuma appoints 15 High Court judges". News24. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Ferreira, Emsie (14 April 2021). "Judges Rammaka Mathopo and Mahube Molemela among five candidates for ConCourt". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Ferreira, Emsie (5 October 2021). "JSC interviews for ConCourt, round two: better process, same outcome". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Tolsi, Niren (12 October 2021). "JSC lets politics trump conscience and excellence". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Mafolo, Karabo (5 April 2022). "ConCourt candidate David Unterhalter faces unexpected grilling at JSC interviews". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Ferreira, Emsie (6 April 2022). "Unterhalter overlooked by the JSC for a third time". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Unterhalter clarifies "human error" debate at 2022 JSC interviews". SABC News. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Moosa, Tauriq (4 October 2023). "JSC recommends Kathree-Setiloane and Kgoele, but not Unterhalter, for SCA". Business Day. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Seleka, Ntwaagae (15 April 2021). "Attempts to get Judge Unterhalter's ConCourt bid rejected 'because of association with the board'". News24. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "David Unterhalter's recusal error a hot topic at JSC interviews". Business Day. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Ferreira, Emsie (7 April 2022). "JSC says Unterhalter was excluded by majority vote". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Davis, Rebecca (4 October 2023). "JSC fills just half of Supreme Court of Appeal posts – but why?". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Ferreira, Emsie (11 October 2021). "Casac demands record of deliberations on ConCourt candidates". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Jewish lobby slams JSC's treatment of David Unterhalter at ConCourt interviews". The Citizen. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Gordin, Jeremy (14 April 2022). "What's the JSC got against David Unterhalter?". Jewish Report. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Editorial: Vendetta against Unterhalter harms the top court". Business Day. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Sokutu, Brian (5 October 2023). "'Perplexing': JSC's 5th rejection of Judge Unterhalter sparks controversy". The Citizen. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
External links
- David Unterhalter at Supreme Court of Appeal
- David N. Unterhalter at Judges Matter
- Review by the General Council of the Bar