Chief Justice Peter Shivute opened the 2025 High Court Aspirant Judges Training Programme, describing it as an important step in preparing candidates for judicial service.

In an address delivered on his behalf by Deputy Chief Justice Petrus Damaseb, Shivute said the programme is intended to address the shortage of judges in the High Court caused by retirements and an increased caseload.

Justice Shivute noted that recruiting qualified judges, particularly those with the expertise and experience to handle civil matters, remains a challenge because many potential candidates lack exposure to High Court practices and procedures in civil matters.

"Let me be candid: the role of a judge is a demanding and weighty responsibility. It calls for the capacity to operate under constant scrutiny, to decide matters impartially and without fear or favour, and to uphold the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, and independence."

Over the next two weeks, the 34 candidates, comprising senior magistrates, advocates and lawyers, will undergo an intensive legal training programme aimed at equipping and empowering them for the responsibilities associated with service on the High Court Bench.

The Chief Justice said the role of a judge requires maintaining high standards of integrity while carrying the responsibility of making decisions with lasting impact.

Former Acting Judge of the High Court, Advocate Ramon Maasdorp, is among the participants.

"The judiciary is one of the bedrocks of democracy. I have a specific interest in participating in the democratic experiment. I have some strengths that I want to strengthen here with this programme, and there are some weaknesses that I want to address. The people presenting are the best of the best, the most experienced. The attendees themselves are the people who make the decisions on the ground and the deliberations from the lower courts. I don’t often have the opportunity to work with them, so I’m excited to be part of this group, to learn from them, to learn from the presenters, and then hopefully get a chance to give back."

Former Executive Director at the Ministry of Justice and experienced magistrate Gladice Pickering, also a participant, said there is a need for capacity building.

"I believe that as a former presiding officer who has worked at the magistrates’ court and served on the magistrates’ court bench for quite some years, and having accumulated a lot of other knowledge and experience in the meantime in various fields within the law and administration, I have a lot to offer to the High Court Bench. Therefore, I decided to participate or to apply for participation in the programme because we need to build capacity and to strengthen the position, judicially and officially, of the High Court Bench. That is what has prompted me to participate."

The training is conducted by judges of the Supreme Court and High Court.

At the end of the two-week training, the aspirant judges will be subjected to a test and will write judgments. Those who pass will be eligible for an appointment to the High Court Bench.