Case Reports
Find analyses and discussions of recent child law cases, judgments, and developments. Our team, partners and analysts provide insights to advocate for children’s rights and the development of child law domestically and internationally.
A successful contempt of court application protects the paramountcy of the best interests of the child: BMGS v MBS and Others (GP) (unreported case no 26675/2022, 8-1-2024) (Phahlane J)
Reinforcing the Rights of Children Deprived of Liberty in Secure Care Centres in South Africa: A Baseline Study to Inform a Model for Independent Oversight (2022)
Research Report | Download PDF
8 August 2023
Model for Independent Oversight of Secure Care Centres in South Africa | Download PDF
8 August 2023
Adjudicating sexual offence matters involving children as victims (2022)
Research Report | Download PDF
28 March 2022
Recommendations: Minimum criteria for judicial officers in sexual offence matters involving children | Download PDF
28 March 2022
Research Report | Download PDF
28 March 2022
Mapping a multi-faceted child rights strategic litigation and advocacy campaign in relation to the South African Sexual Offences Act (2021)
Advocacy Brief: Advancing children’s rights while making tough financial decisions!
Advocacy Brief | Download PDF
February 2021
Child Trafficking in South Africa: Exploring the Myths and Realities
Publication | Download PDF
August 2020
Policy Brief | Download PDF
August 2020
Provision of School Infrastructure in Gauteng: Progress and Obstacles
Publication | Download PDF
December 2019
Infographic | Download PDF
December 2019
Questionable Correction: Independent Oversight of Child and Youth Care Centres in South Africa, 2018 (The Centre’s Zita Hansungule wrote this policy brief that was produced by the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF))
Harmonizing the Legal Environment for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: A review of 23 countries in East and Southern Africa, 2017 (The Centre’s Ann Skelton and Karabo Ozah contributed to the writing of the report that was produced by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA))
Advocacy Brief: Advancing the Rights of Children with Disabilities, 2017 (This report was written by Patricia Martin; based on research by Ann Skelton and Zita Hansungule and consultative workshops with disability rights advocates)
Strategic Litigation Impacts: Equal Access to Quality Education, 2017 (Research was done and written up by Ann Skelton. It was commissioned by the Open Society Justice Initiative)
The Size of the Pie and How to Cut It: Assessing the NAWONGO Case and the Effects on Social Welfare Allocations for Children, 2016 (This research was done and written up by Debbie Budlender for the Centre for Child Law)
Budgets and Bricks: Progress with school infrastructure following the Rivonia Primary School Case, 2016 (This research was done and written up by Carmen Abdoll for the Centre for Child Law)
Guidelines for legal representatives of children in civil matters, 2016 (Commissioned and edited by the Centre for Child Law)
Making Room: Facilitating the testimony of child witnesses and victims, 2015 (This research was done and written up by Charmain Badenhorst for the Centre for Child Law)
Promoting Effective Enforcement of the Prohibition Against Corporal Punishment in South African Schools, 2014 (This research was done and written up by Faranaaz Veriava for the Centre for Child Law)
South Africa’s progress in realising children’s rights: A law review, 2014 (Morgan Courtenay & Zita Hansungule wrote a chapter for this Children’s Institute publication)
Children at the Centre: A Guide to the Registration of Child and Youth Care Centres, 2012 (This report was researched and written up by Patricia Martin and the Centre for Child Law)
Justice for child victims and witnesses of crimes, 2008 (This report was edited by the Centre for Child Law)
Centre for Child Law Report on selected cases from 2004 – 2011
20 Years of Imagining Children Constitutionally – Strategic Litigation and Advocacy for Children’s Rights in South Africa
Children’s Environmental Rights and Climate Justice in South Africa: Impacts of Coal-Related Air Pollution
Publication | Download PDF
November 2023
Advocacy Brief | Download PDF
November 2023