Coronavirus (COVID-19) has forced industries
globally to reinvent themselves in challenging times. Many South
African businesses are frequently conducting virtual meetings.
Parts of the South African judiciary, have embraced technology and
implemented systems to ensure that the hearing of some matters can
continue during the lockdown. A number of matters have been heard
through electronic platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
As seen in the United Kingdom, the conduct of such hearings is
not always smooth sailing.
Recently, the United Kingdom's Court of Appeal (civil
division) delivered a judgment in a recusal application. In
this matter, a hearing was conducted via Zoom. The judge and her
clerk discussed the arrangements regarding the appellant's
evidence, in the judge's chambers. Unbeknown to the Judge, the
link to the "Zoom court room" remained open, despite the
laptop being closed. The judge's private conversation with her
clerk was overheard by the
