National Consumer Tribunal Annual Report 2011/12 National Consumer Tribunal 2011-12 | Page 26

Adjudication (continued)
Adv Neo Sephoti (Member) holds BJuris and LLB degrees from the
University of Bophuthatswana. She spent four years as a prosecutor
in the Department of Justice and the SANDF, after which she served in
various legal positions in the public sector. In 2005, she joined South
African Breweries as Corporate Affairs Manager of the Central Region.
Prof Tanya Woker (Member) holds BA, LLB and LLM degrees from the
University of Natal and a PhD (Rhodes). She joined the University of
Natal, Durban campus (now the University of KwaZulu-Natal) in 1987
where she currently teaches consumer law and intellectual property
law. Prof Woker has delivered numerous papers on advertising and
business practice and is widely published in this area. She is the
author of the book “Advertising Law in South Africa” and a co-author
of “Consumer Law in South Africa”. She was the deputy chairperson
and chairperson of the Consumer Affairs Committee from 2000 - 2011.
She serves as chairperson of the Financial Services Ombuds Council and as a member of the
Financial Services Enforcement Committee.
Process of adjudication
Application
brought to the
Tribunal ito the
NCA
Tribunal advises
whether fi ling
is complete or
incomplete
Reasoned
judgment issued
Once fi ling
is complete,
respondent may
fi le answering
affi davit within
15 days and
applicant may fi le
replying affi davit
within 10 days
Tribunal
adjudicates
on matter in
an inquisitorial
informal
manner and in
accordance with
principles of
natural justice
A pre-trial
conference may
be held
Matter is set
down for hearing
(unless it is a
consent order,
which is heard in
chambers)
In terms of the Rules for the Conduct of Matters before the National Consumer Tribunal
(Government Gazette no 30225, 28 August 2007) (the Rules), there are 34 different types of
applications and referrals that can be brought to the Tribunal. Applications may be brought by the
National Credit Regulator (the Regulator), consumers, credit bureaux, credit providers and debt
counsellors. Only the Regulator and, in certain instances complainants, may refer cases of alleged
prohibited conduct to the Tribunal for a determination. Only persons who lodged complaints with
the Regulator may apply for interim (urgent) relief to the Tribunal.
Annual Report 2011
page 24 | national consumer tribunal