17/08/2026
An important development for South African legal practice.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has published draft Regulations which, if adopted, would replace the current 1972 Regulations governing the administration of oaths and affirmations.
One of the proposed changes is particularly relevant to modern legal practice: remote, audio-visual commissioning of oaths and affirmations could be formally recognised.
The draft also proposes that, in certain circumstances, a typed name or mark could constitute a valid signature for electronically submitted documents.
This could make the commissioning process more accessible and efficient, particularly where physical attendance is impractical.
Important: These are still draft Regulations and are not yet law.
Public comments are open until 31 August 2026.
At M Van Zyl Inc., we welcome developments that promote practical, accessible and modern legal services while maintaining the integrity of our legal processes.
