Navigating the maze of court procedures can be challenging, especially with the numerous abbreviations used in High Court documents and listings. To help both new and experienced law practitioners, I’ve put together a straightforward guide to some of the most important abbreviations you might encounter. Understanding these terms will help you manage your cases more effectively and stay on top of your schedule.

F – Fresh Case

A “Fresh Case” is a new case that has just been filed and hasn’t yet appeared on the cause list. This indicates that the case is being introduced into the judicial system for the first time and will soon receive a hearing date.

E – Cause List Case

A “Cause List Case” refers to a case that has been scheduled for hearing and is listed on the court’s official cause list. The cause list is essentially the court’s daily agenda, detailing all the cases to be heard in a session.

S – Supplementary Case

A “Supplementary Case” is added to the cause list after the initial list is published. These cases are typically included at the last minute due to urgent matters or changes in the schedule.

CA – Correction Application

A “Correction Application” is filed to correct any clerical or typographical errors in court records or orders. This ensures that all documents are accurate and that no mistakes affect the case outcome.

IA – Applications

“IA” stands for Interlocutory Applications. These are requests made to the court for interim relief or orders while the main case is still pending. Examples include applications for bail, temporary injunctions, or stay orders.

PO – Passover

“Passover” is used when a case number is called, but the advocate is not present in the courtroom. The case is temporarily skipped and may be called again later in the session, giving the advocate another chance to appear.

LAFT – Laft Passover

“LAFT” or “Laft Passover” refers to cases that are passed over because the case number has not yet been reached. These cases will be attended to once their turn comes up in the sequence.

DF – Date Fix

“Date Fix” means a specific date has been assigned for the next hearing of the case. This helps in organizing the court’s schedule and ensures all parties know when they need to appear.

PH – Part Heard

A “Part Heard” case is one that has started but has not been completed within the allocated time. It will continue on another date from where it left off, ensuring continuity and thoroughness in proceedings.

TU – Tied Up

“Tied Up” refers to cases assigned to a particular judge or bench due to their complexity, sensitivity, or the specific expertise required. This ensures such cases are handled consistently by the same judicial authority.

ED – Early Date

“Early Date” signifies a request or order for an expedited hearing. This is often sought in urgent matters where a swift resolution is critical, such as in cases involving injunctions or stay orders.

WC – Week Commencing

“Week Commencing” indicates the starting week when a case is scheduled to be heard. This broader time frame allows for some flexibility in scheduling.

NCL – Next Cause List

“Next Cause List” means the case will appear in the subsequent published list of cases to be heard. This ensures all parties are prepared for the upcoming session.

NW – Next Week

“Next Week” implies that the case has been adjourned or scheduled for a hearing in the following week. This straightforward term helps in planning for short-term future hearings.

LO – Left Over

“Left Over” cases are those that were not reached or heard on their scheduled date. These cases are carried forward to the next available date for hearing.

OC – Ordinary Course

“Ordinary Course” refers to cases proceeding through the regular schedule without any special urgency or prioritization. These cases follow the standard judicial timeline.

PA – Personal Appearance

“Personal Appearance” indicates that the court has ordered the personal presence of an individual, often the party involved or a witness, to attend the hearing. This ensures that crucial testimonies or statements are given directly.

By understanding these abbreviations, you’ll be better equipped to manage your legal practice and stay organized amidst the complex schedules and requirements of the High Court. Keep this guide handy for quick reference and smoother navigation through your cases.