Search Options

Caselaw.co.za uses a full-text search engine providing fast, size-efficient and relevant full-text search functions. Various search options are available on Caselaw.co.za

Court Searches

You may conduct searches by Court or search the entire database

If you select:-

• "All Searches" - searches the entire database and all cases
• "CCMA" - searches CCMA awards only
• "Labour Court" - searches Labour Court decisions only
• "Labour Appeal Court" - searches Labour Appeal Court decisions only
• "Supreme Court" - searches Supreme Court of Appeal Court decisions only
• "High Court" - searches High Court decisions only

By default, the "All Search" function is selected.

Type Searches

In addition to selecting the Court type you may also refine your search by searching for:

• "Case Number" - note that this refers to the original court or CCMA case number and not the citations used by third parties.
• "Applicant" - searches for the name of an Applicant. Note that sometimes Applicant may be cited differently by legal publishers. For example, some publishers will change South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union obo E Makofane to SACCAWU obo Makofane. When using this search option, if you are unable to find a specific reference, try other search options.
• "Respondent" - searches for the name of an Applicant. Note that sometimes Respondent may be cited differently by legal publishers. For example, some publishers will change South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union obo E Makofane to SACCAWU obo Makofane. When using this search option, if you are unable to find a specific reference, try other search options.

Search Fields

Full Text Search

This is the default search option.

Phrase Search

Using this option you can search for exact phrases. The phrase used must be an accepted legal phrase. For example:-

• sexual harassment
• constructive dismissal
• substance abuse
• reasonable employer test
• reasonable commissioner test
• employment equity
• affirmative action

And Search

Using this option you may search for all words. For example:-

• alcohol substance - will return search results of cases which contain both words.
• cashier credit card - will return search results of cases which contain both words.
• cashier credit card fraud - will refine the above search further.

Or Search

Use this search option to find alternative words.

Some useful search options

• If you wish to find cases decided by a particular Commissioner or Judge, simply type in the surname of the person.
• If you wish to cases represented by a Union or Law Firm, type in the name of the Union, Lawyer, Advocate or Law Firm. For example, to find all cases where a party was represented by Perrott Van Niekerk Woodhouse Matyolo, type in the name of the firm in the search box.
• If you wish to find any cases where the facts are similar to a situation you are currently dealing with, type in key search words. For example, if you would like to find cases involving a cashier who used a drop safe and the drop went missing, conduct a search using the following words "cashier drop safe missing drop".