583:, was built between 1994 and 1996 as an "imposing and functional building" to represent "the integrity and soul of the Constitution". It was designed in a north African style in order to avoid resemblance of European colonial buildings, and it is Windhoek's only building erected post-independence in an African style of architecture. The building was constructed to contain two court rooms, four offices for justices, and a law library on the first floor. Erection and design of the building involved extensive geotechnical investigations because it is situated on top of a
397:
32:
697:
for parole only after 25 years, not as previously administered, 10 years. The
Supreme Court ruled that, if a court chooses not to hand out a life sentence, it cannot use this mechanism to impose a longer effective sentence. The longest prison sentence that henceforth may be given in Namibia is 37.5 years, which will make a prisoner eligible for parole after two thirds (25 years) as in a life sentence.
696:
to sentence offenders for so long that there is "no realistic prospect of release in the sense of fully engaging in society again—if at all—during their life times". In 2012 in the amended
Correctional Service Act, the provisions of life sentences had been changed such that a person becomes eligible
723:
due to constitutional rights to equality and dignity. It also commented on its 2001 decision, stating that the remarks on the protection of the family not including homosexual relationships were "peripheral and subsidiary remarks not necessary for that decision and thus not binding". The decision,
901:
801:
1281:
1301:
607:, particularly those that concern constitutional matters. It can also hear matters referred to it by parliamentary authorisation. The Supreme Court regulates its own procedures and makes Rules of Court.
643:
at state schools. It also clarified that this prohibition applies independent of parent's approval or disapproval of the measurement, and even if the pupil themselves agree to be punished in this way.
716:. The court, however, declined to set aside the elections carried out using such failed process, as there were no indications the devices were tampered with. This has attracted some controversy.
669:) that confessions from 25 accused are inadmissible before the High Court in Windhoek due to the occurrence of "coercive actions" at the hands of Police or military to obtain the testimonies.
1316:
712:(VPPT) contravenes the Electoral Act of 2014, and that the decision to use EVMs without providing the paper trail as required by the act, is unconstitutional because it violates the
1356:
805:
1261:
1361:
1291:
1416:
1401:
1386:
1481:
1331:
1326:
1306:
1371:
1321:
579:
At its inception in 1990, the
Supreme Court did not have its own building. The Supreme Court building, situated in Michael Scott Street on Eliakim Namundjebo Plaza in
1351:
1381:
1336:
1251:
650:), the court noted: "The homosexual relationship, whether between men and men and women and women, clearly fall outside the scope and intent of Article 14" of the
1486:
1396:
133:
1526:
1296:
149:
137:
1549:
1044:
777:
309:
52:
1441:
1598:
853:
610:
A Supreme Court decision can only be reversed by an Act of
Parliament that contradicts it, or by another ruling of the Supreme Court itself.
374:
272:
267:
262:
720:
827:
341:
1220:
685:
323:
319:
559:
Namibia's
Supreme Court was founded on 21 March 1990, the day of Namibian Independence. Although it has the Supreme Court of
563:
as its predecessor, the latter was not a supreme court in the sense that appeals against its rulings would be allowed; the
282:
665:) to provide the treason suspects with legal representation. In 2010 the court was again involved in this trial, ruling (
199:
622:
presides over the
Supreme Court. They are supported by Judges of Appeal. All Supreme Court judges are appointed by the
580:
1070:
1588:
1163:
367:
1603:
709:
680:) was unilaterally and unlawfully changed by the Erongo Regional Council, and decided in favour of the home owners.
1023:
701:
248:
243:
238:
1593:
1466:
1456:
672:
In 2009, the
Supreme Court found that a 2000 agreement on the expansion of the coastal holiday settlement of
623:
568:
1471:
360:
295:
1531:
1451:
1341:
1276:
1138:
1000:
974:
604:
144:
1406:
1213:
128:
880:
1506:
1271:
1256:
705:
211:
96:
84:
1191:
1491:
1461:
1446:
1431:
1411:
1376:
1266:
1241:
1170:
619:
474:
331:
180:
996:
857:
1501:
1496:
1436:
1391:
1246:
693:
651:
596:
441:
45:
930:
626:
on recommendation by the
Judicial Service Commission. The current Chief Justice is His Lordship
1476:
1426:
1366:
1346:
1311:
1117:
915:
725:
346:
306:
89:
1164:"The structure of the Namibian judicial system and its relevance for an independent judiciary"
1286:
1206:
1178:
658:
548:
121:
65:
595:
The mandate and powers of the
Supreme Court are regulated by Articles 78, 79 and 138 of the
1052:
971:"Government of the Republic of Namibia v LM and Others (SA 49/2012) [2014] NASC 19"
713:
532:
430:
224:
168:
72:
1045:"Vote, But You Cannot Verify: The Namibian Supreme Court's Presidential Election Decision"
787:. Government of Namibia, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. March 2010.
571:
would hear those, and they would be prosecuted by the
Supreme Court of South-West Africa.
8:
640:
22:
755:
206:
108:
1096:
947:
Erongo Regional Council and Others v Wlotzkasbaken Home Owners Association and Another
831:
678:
Erongo Regional Council and Others v Wlotzkasbaken Home Owners Association and Another
1122:
902:"Appeal Judgment: Chairperson of the Immigration Selection Board v Frank and Another"
560:
336:
101:
724:
marked as "historic", "groundbreaking", and a "landmark judgment" was celebrated by
970:
547:. A Supreme Court decision is supreme in that it can only be reversed by an Act of
944:
584:
540:
153:
507:
77:
1139:"Politicians rise up against same-sex marriage 'Say no to Sodom and Gomorrah'"
1582:
1564:
1551:
673:
627:
528:
484:
419:
184:
929:
Maritz, Gerhard; Strydom, Johan; Mtambanengwe, Simpson (14 September 2010).
543:
in the country. It is located in the city centre of Namibia's capital city,
451:
May serve until the age of 65 (extendable to the age of 70 by the President)
1198:
1143:
1101:
1075:
1028:
885:
916:"Appeal Judgment: Government of Namibia and Others vs. Mwilima and Others"
396:
31:
600:
551:
that contradicts it, or by another ruling of the Supreme Court itself.
646:
In 2001, when deciding a state appeal on a granted residence permit (
689:
that three women had been coercively sterilised in state hospitals.
683:
In November 2014, the court upheld a decision by the High Court in
544:
433:
appointment after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission
415:
648:
Chairperson of the Immigration Selection Board v Frank and Another
536:
778:"Justice remains a pillar of Namibia's democracy: Chief Justice"
721:
same-sex marriages concluded outside Namibia must be recognised
700:
In February 2020, the court ruled on a case emanating from the
1097:"Same-sex marriage wins … historic judgement for equal rights"
997:"S v Gaingob and Others (SA 7 of 2008) [2018] NASC 4"
467:
928:
900:
Strydom, Johan; Teek, Pio; O'Linn, Bryan (26 June 2019).
661:
the Supreme Court of Namibia ordered government in 2002 (
1071:"Supreme Court gives legal status to same-sex marriages"
899:
663:
Government of Namibia and Others v Mwilima and Others
931:"Appeal Judgment: State vs. Malumo and 24 Others"
539:. It is the court of last resort and the highest
1580:
1137:Matthys, Donald; Mbathera, Ester (22 May 2023).
728:but attacked by religious and political leaders.
639:In 1991, the court confirmed the prohibition of
1136:
804:. Windhoek Consulting Engineers. Archived from
1214:
368:
1228:
692:In February 2018 the court ruled that it is
613:
1221:
1207:
830:. Supreme Court of Namibia. Archived from
375:
361:
1115:
1064:
1062:
951:. Supreme Court of Namibia. 17 March 2009
756:"History of the Supreme Court of Namibia"
750:
748:
746:
744:
742:
1109:
918:. Supreme Court of Namibia. 7 June 2002.
828:"Virtual tour through the Supreme Court"
657:In a civil matter spinning off from the
603:decisions and matters referred from the
1090:
1088:
1086:
686:LM & Others v Government of Namibia
1581:
1094:
1068:
1059:
1021:
878:
856:. Venture Publications. Archived from
739:
1202:
1042:
796:
794:
719:In May 2023, the court directed that
1599:Buildings and structures in Windhoek
1161:
1083:
820:
590:
879:Menges, Werner (6 September 2016).
13:
1155:
1118:"Same-sex ruling ruffles feathers"
1022:Menges, Werner (6 February 2020).
791:
14:
1615:
1116:Shikololo, Aletta (22 May 2023).
1024:"Election survives EVM challenge"
785:Government Informational Bulletin
574:
1527:Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
1297:Democratic Republic of the Congo
633:
395:
30:
1130:
1036:
1015:
989:
963:
937:
881:"School beatings ruled illegal"
499:Deputy Chief Justice of Namibia
1095:Menges, Werner (17 May 2023).
1069:Menges, Werner (16 May 2023).
922:
908:
893:
872:
846:
770:
704:. It resolved that the use of
702:2019 Namibian general election
667:State vs. Malumo and 24 Others
1:
732:
569:Supreme Court of South Africa
302:Ministry of Foreign Affairs
7:
1001:Legal Information Institute
975:Legal Information Institute
933:. Supreme Court of Namibia.
904:. Supreme Court of Namibia.
654:(protection of the family).
599:. It hears appeals against
10:
1620:
758:. Supreme Court of Namibia
706:electronic voting machines
554:
1540:
1515:
1234:
614:Structure and appointment
513:
503:
498:
490:
480:
473:
463:
455:
447:
437:
426:
411:
403:
394:
389:
1589:Supreme Court of Namibia
1282:Central African Republic
1229:Supreme Courts of Africa
1171:Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
802:"Windhoek Supreme Court"
726:Namibia's LGBT community
620:Chief Justice of Namibia
525:Supreme Court of Namibia
475:Chief Justice of Namibia
200:Administrative divisions
1604:National supreme courts
1049:Oxford Human Rights Hub
652:Constitution of Namibia
442:Constitution of Namibia
1186:Cite journal requires
710:Verifiable Paper Trail
320:Diplomatic missions of
307:Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
90:Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
1442:São Tomé and Príncipe
1302:Republic of the Congo
659:Caprivi treason trial
597:Namibian Constitution
1594:Judiciary of Namibia
1162:Amoo, Sam K (2008).
1053:University of Oxford
714:separation of powers
53:Constituent Assembly
1565:22.5689°S 17.0861°E
1561: /
1517:States with limited
1043:Ndeunyema, Ndjodi.
641:corporal punishment
456:Number of positions
23:Politics of Namibia
854:"Windhoek on Foot"
565:Appellate Division
427:Composition method
138:Bernard Sibalatani
1570:-22.5689; 17.0861
1544:
1543:
1317:Equatorial Guinea
1003:. 6 February 2018
977:. 3 November 2014
708:(EVMs) without a
591:Mandate and power
561:South West Africa
521:
520:
448:Judge term length
385:
384:
342:Visa requirements
296:Foreign relations
283:Political parties
231:Recent elections
145:National Assembly
102:Saara Kuugongelwa
1611:
1576:
1575:
1573:
1572:
1571:
1566:
1562:
1559:
1558:
1557:
1554:
1235:Sovereign states
1223:
1216:
1209:
1200:
1199:
1195:
1189:
1184:
1182:
1174:
1168:
1149:
1148:
1134:
1128:
1127:
1113:
1107:
1106:
1092:
1081:
1080:
1066:
1057:
1056:
1040:
1034:
1033:
1019:
1013:
1012:
1010:
1008:
993:
987:
986:
984:
982:
967:
961:
960:
958:
956:
941:
935:
934:
926:
920:
919:
912:
906:
905:
897:
891:
890:
876:
870:
869:
867:
865:
850:
844:
843:
841:
839:
834:on 26 March 2013
824:
818:
817:
815:
813:
808:on 15 March 2012
798:
789:
788:
782:
774:
768:
767:
765:
763:
752:
694:unconstitutional
605:Attorney General
585:geological fault
581:central Windhoek
399:
387:
386:
377:
370:
363:
129:National Council
34:
18:
17:
1619:
1618:
1614:
1613:
1612:
1610:
1609:
1608:
1579:
1578:
1569:
1567:
1563:
1560:
1555:
1552:
1550:
1548:
1547:
1545:
1536:
1520:
1518:
1511:
1230:
1227:
1187:
1185:
1176:
1175:
1166:
1158:
1156:Further reading
1153:
1152:
1135:
1131:
1114:
1110:
1093:
1084:
1067:
1060:
1041:
1037:
1020:
1016:
1006:
1004:
995:
994:
990:
980:
978:
969:
968:
964:
954:
952:
943:
942:
938:
927:
923:
914:
913:
909:
898:
894:
877:
873:
863:
861:
852:
851:
847:
837:
835:
826:
825:
821:
811:
809:
800:
799:
792:
780:
776:
775:
771:
761:
759:
754:
753:
740:
735:
636:
616:
593:
577:
557:
541:appellate court
533:judicial system
494:1 December 2004
468:ejustice.jud.na
381:
352:
351:
332:Nationality law
328:
316:
298:
288:
287:
277:
255:
227:
217:
216:
202:
192:
191:
171:
161:
160:
154:Peter Katjavivi
124:
114:
113:
68:
58:
57:
48:
25:
12:
11:
5:
1617:
1607:
1606:
1601:
1596:
1591:
1542:
1541:
1538:
1537:
1535:
1534:
1529:
1523:
1521:
1516:
1513:
1512:
1510:
1509:
1504:
1499:
1494:
1489:
1484:
1479:
1474:
1469:
1464:
1459:
1454:
1449:
1444:
1439:
1434:
1429:
1424:
1419:
1414:
1409:
1404:
1399:
1394:
1389:
1384:
1379:
1374:
1369:
1364:
1359:
1354:
1349:
1344:
1339:
1334:
1329:
1324:
1319:
1314:
1309:
1304:
1299:
1294:
1289:
1284:
1279:
1274:
1269:
1264:
1259:
1254:
1249:
1244:
1238:
1236:
1232:
1231:
1226:
1225:
1218:
1211:
1203:
1197:
1196:
1188:|journal=
1157:
1154:
1151:
1150:
1129:
1108:
1082:
1058:
1035:
1014:
988:
962:
936:
921:
907:
892:
871:
860:on 3 June 2013
845:
819:
790:
769:
737:
736:
734:
731:
730:
729:
717:
698:
690:
681:
670:
655:
644:
635:
632:
615:
612:
592:
589:
576:
575:Court building
573:
556:
553:
519:
518:
515:
511:
510:
508:Petrus Damaseb
505:
501:
500:
496:
495:
492:
488:
487:
482:
478:
477:
471:
470:
465:
461:
460:
457:
453:
452:
449:
445:
444:
439:
435:
434:
428:
424:
423:
413:
409:
408:
405:
401:
400:
392:
391:
383:
382:
380:
379:
372:
365:
357:
354:
353:
350:
349:
344:
339:
334:
327:
326:
315:
314:
313:
312:
299:
294:
293:
290:
289:
286:
285:
280:
279:
278:
276:
275:
270:
265:
258:
256:
254:
253:
246:
241:
234:
228:
223:
222:
219:
218:
215:
214:
212:Constituencies
209:
203:
198:
197:
194:
193:
190:
189:
188:
187:
172:
167:
166:
163:
162:
159:
158:
157:
156:
142:
141:
140:
125:
120:
119:
116:
115:
112:
111:
106:
105:
104:
97:Prime Minister
94:
93:
92:
85:Vice-President
82:
81:
80:
78:Nangolo Mbumba
69:
64:
63:
60:
59:
56:
55:
49:
44:
43:
40:
39:
36:
35:
27:
26:
21:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1616:
1605:
1602:
1600:
1597:
1595:
1592:
1590:
1587:
1586:
1584:
1577:
1574:
1539:
1533:
1530:
1528:
1525:
1524:
1522:
1514:
1508:
1505:
1503:
1500:
1498:
1495:
1493:
1490:
1488:
1485:
1483:
1480:
1478:
1475:
1473:
1470:
1468:
1465:
1463:
1460:
1458:
1455:
1453:
1450:
1448:
1445:
1443:
1440:
1438:
1435:
1433:
1430:
1428:
1425:
1423:
1420:
1418:
1415:
1413:
1410:
1408:
1405:
1403:
1400:
1398:
1395:
1393:
1390:
1388:
1385:
1383:
1380:
1378:
1375:
1373:
1370:
1368:
1365:
1363:
1360:
1358:
1357:Guinea-Bissau
1355:
1353:
1350:
1348:
1345:
1343:
1340:
1338:
1335:
1333:
1330:
1328:
1325:
1323:
1320:
1318:
1315:
1313:
1310:
1308:
1305:
1303:
1300:
1298:
1295:
1293:
1290:
1288:
1285:
1283:
1280:
1278:
1275:
1273:
1270:
1268:
1265:
1263:
1260:
1258:
1255:
1253:
1250:
1248:
1245:
1243:
1240:
1239:
1237:
1233:
1224:
1219:
1217:
1212:
1210:
1205:
1204:
1201:
1193:
1180:
1172:
1165:
1160:
1159:
1146:
1145:
1140:
1133:
1125:
1124:
1119:
1112:
1104:
1103:
1098:
1091:
1089:
1087:
1078:
1077:
1072:
1065:
1063:
1054:
1050:
1046:
1039:
1031:
1030:
1025:
1018:
1002:
998:
992:
976:
972:
966:
950:
948:
940:
932:
925:
917:
911:
903:
896:
888:
887:
882:
875:
859:
855:
849:
833:
829:
823:
807:
803:
797:
795:
786:
779:
773:
757:
751:
749:
747:
745:
743:
738:
727:
722:
718:
715:
711:
707:
703:
699:
695:
691:
688:
687:
682:
679:
675:
674:Wlotzkasbaken
671:
668:
664:
660:
656:
653:
649:
645:
642:
638:
637:
634:Notable cases
631:
629:
628:Peter Shivute
625:
621:
611:
608:
606:
602:
598:
588:
586:
582:
572:
570:
566:
562:
552:
550:
546:
542:
538:
534:
530:
529:highest court
526:
516:
512:
509:
506:
502:
497:
493:
489:
486:
485:Peter Shivute
483:
479:
476:
472:
469:
466:
462:
458:
454:
450:
446:
443:
440:
438:Authorized by
436:
432:
429:
425:
421:
420:Khomas Region
417:
414:
410:
407:21 March 1990
406:
402:
398:
393:
390:Supreme Court
388:
378:
373:
371:
366:
364:
359:
358:
356:
355:
348:
345:
343:
340:
338:
335:
333:
330:
329:
325:
321:
318:
317:
311:
308:
304:
303:
301:
300:
297:
292:
291:
284:
281:
274:
271:
269:
266:
264:
260:
259:
257:
252:
251:
247:
245:
242:
240:
236:
235:
233:
232:
230:
229:
226:
221:
220:
213:
210:
208:
205:
204:
201:
196:
195:
186:
185:Peter Shivute
182:
181:Chief Justice
179:
178:
177:
176:Supreme Court
174:
173:
170:
165:
164:
155:
151:
148:
147:
146:
143:
139:
135:
132:
131:
130:
127:
126:
123:
118:
117:
110:
107:
103:
100:
99:
98:
95:
91:
88:
87:
86:
83:
79:
76:
75:
74:
71:
70:
67:
62:
61:
54:
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1262:Burkina Faso
1179:cite journal
1147:. p. 1.
1144:The Namibian
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1102:The Namibian
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1076:The Namibian
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1568: /
1519:recognition
1472:South Sudan
1362:Ivory Coast
864:24 November
838:26 November
812:24 November
762:24 November
404:Established
347:Visa policy
122:Legislature
1583:Categories
1556:17°05′10″E
1553:22°34′08″S
1532:Somaliland
1452:Seychelles
1417:Mozambique
1402:Mauritania
1387:Madagascar
1342:The Gambia
1277:Cape Verde
999:. Namibia
981:7 November
973:. Namibia
733:References
601:High Court
549:Parliament
324:in Namibia
305:Minister:
261:Regional:
1407:Mauritius
955:11 August
624:president
504:Currently
481:Currently
422:, Namibia
237:General:
225:Elections
169:Judiciary
73:President
66:Executive
1507:Zimbabwe
1482:Tanzania
1332:Ethiopia
1327:Eswatini
1307:Djibouti
1272:Cameroon
1257:Botswana
545:Windhoek
416:Windhoek
412:Location
337:Passport
134:Chairman
1492:Tunisia
1462:Somalia
1447:Senegal
1432:Nigeria
1422:Namibia
1412:Morocco
1377:Liberia
1372:Lesotho
1322:Eritrea
1292:Comoros
1267:Burundi
1242:Algeria
1123:New Era
1007:3 April
567:of the
555:History
537:Namibia
531:in the
527:is the
464:Website
207:Regions
150:Speaker
109:Cabinet
1502:Zambia
1497:Uganda
1437:Rwanda
1392:Malawi
1352:Guinea
1247:Angola
310:(list)
1477:Sudan
1427:Niger
1382:Libya
1367:Kenya
1347:Ghana
1337:Gabon
1312:Egypt
1252:Benin
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514:Since
491:Since
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957:2011
866:2010
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