Prof Elmarie van der Schyff of the Faculty of Law served as an acting judge in the Gauteng division of the High Court of South Africa from 9 October to 17 November 2017. Eish! asked her about this experience.

How did it happen that you were approached?

Acting judges are appointed on the recommendation of the judge president. He considered my curriculum vitae and recommended me.

 

What are your impressions of the time as acting judge?

The past six weeks will definitely stand out as one of the highlights of my career. I worked very hard and slept very little. I was always aware that every decision I make impacts directly upon people – a huge responsibility. I was incredibly impressed with the work ethics and quality of the judicature and the commitment of all the judges who crossed my path.

 

What did you learn from this experience?

I once again realised how important good education is. I hope to plough back my experience in my classes. Although we are definitely not educating students only for the practice of law, it is necessary that we empower them with knowledge and skills to take on the world of work successfully.

 

Our students should master the challenges of legal practice. Analytical thinking, planning, ethics and time management are essential skills that should be honed while students master the necessary knowledge. Practising law is not a game and not meant for lazy people. I also again realised that one always stays a student. My own knowledge increased immensely.

 

Will you seize such an opportunity again and what would you do differently then?

I certainly will if it crosses my path and is meant for me. Experience is always the best teacher and next time I will refine my planning.

 

Where do you originally come from and where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Vereeniging. I went to Overvaal High School and completed my BA Law and LLB degrees at the former PU for CHE. In 1990 I married Fanie van der Schyff – minister in the Reformed Church of South Africa.

 

Fanie’s first congregation was in Pongola and it was there that I started practising as a lawyer. He was later called to Parys and there my path crossed with that of the NWU again. I was appointed as a full-time lecturer in 2002.

 

I studied further and obtained my LLM in 2003 and my LLD in 2007. In the meantime, Fanie was called to Potchefstroom. In 2009 he was called to the Reformed Church Brooklyn in Pretoria. Since 2009 I have been commuting between Pretoria and Potchefstroom. I have three children: Veronica (25), Peet (23) and Cobus (17).

 

Where did your love for law start?

My father is my professional role model. He is still a practising lawyer at the age of 77.  I went to court with him as a child, and even in childhood, he “indoctrinated” me with the principle that everyone is equal before the law. It is also from him that I learnt that legal practitioners do not keep office hours, but serve the law 24/7.

 

What do you do when you are not busy with the academic world?

My people and I love nature and when we have time we like to go hiking. We are also very fond of the sea.

 

 

Prof Elmarie van der Schyff says she gained a lot of valuable experience while acting as judge in the High Court of South Africa in Pretoria.