1. In a landmark step to revolutionise insolvency litigation in South Africa, the Johannesburg High Court has launched a Pilot Dedicated Insolvency Court. Effective from 14 April 2025, this initiative establishes two specialist structures – the Insolvency Motion Court (“IMC”) and the Insolvency Trial Court (“ITC”). The new insolvency court will exclusively manage all insolvency-related applications and trials with the goal of improving efficiency, turnaround times and legal certainty.

PURPOSE

2. This publication outlines the structure, scope, procedures, and timelines associated with the new court. It is intended as a practical guide for practitioners navigating this shift in insolvency proceedings.

THE INSOLVENCY MOTION COURT (“IMC”)

3. The IMC will hear all applications relating to:

• Sequestration proceedings
• Rehabilitation proceedings
• Liquidation proceedings
• Business rescue proceedings
• Extension of powers of provisional liquidators
• Perfection of security (e.g., notarial bonds)
• Reviews of decisions by the Master of the High Court
• Interlocutory applications and exceptions in insolvency matters.

4. Enrolments open on 14 April 2025. Hearings commence the week of 12 May 2025. All insolvency matters already enrolled on other motion rolls will automatically be redirected to the IMC.

5. The IMC will follow a 4-week cycle.

6. Urgent applications will only be entertained in exceptional circumstances. The urgent motion court will no longer hear insolvency matters during term time. During recess, the senior judge will decide whether to allocate urgent matters to the IMC or the urgent motion court.

7. To qualify for urgency:

Matters must meet standard urgency criteria

Interim relief or rule nisi should be sought in the application

Papers must be concise and focused

8. Matters that require oral evidence or are too complex or voluminous for the IMC, may be referred to the Deputy Judge President for special allocation.

THE INSOLVENCY TRIAL COURT (“ITC”)

9. The ITC will hear trials involving:

Impeachment of dispositions

Section 424 action proceedings in terms of the Companies Act, 1973;

Other actions substantially related to insolvency

10. Parties must ensure the matter is trial-ready in line with practice directives and approach the Deputy Judge President with a motivated request for a trial date.

STRATEGIC IMPACT

11. The Dedicated Insolvency Court promises greater speed, efficiency, legal specialisation, and commercial sensibility. It marks a shift towards a litigation environment that recognises the urgency and nuance of insolvency, business rescue and related matters.

12. Practitioners should become familiar with the process and adapt swiftly to leverage this specialised forum for the benefit of their clients.

FLOW CHART INDICATING THE TIME PERIODS IN THE DEDICATED INSOLVENCY MOTION COURT

Written by Eric Levenstein, Director and Head of Business Rescue & Insolvency, Amy Mackechnie, Senior Associate and Kaymana Han, Candidate Attorney; Werksmans