Kgomotso Modise15 October 2024 | 16:00

WC High Court judge candidate put through her paces, quizzed over personal cost order

Rehana Khan Parker is one of two nine candidates hoping to ascend to the Western Cape High Court bench. 

WC High Court judge candidate put through her paces, quizzed over personal cost order

Rehana khan Parker is vying for the position of Judge President of the Western Cape Division of the High Court. Picture: x.com/OCJ_RSA

JOHANNESBURG - The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken an aspirant judge to task for the under-disclosure of a personal cost order and failing to take accountability.

Rehana Khan Parker is one of nine candidates hoping to ascend to the Western Cape High Court bench.

The commission is looking to fill four vacancies in the division.

It seemed to be smooth sailing for Parker before the JSC on Tuesday as she told commissioners about her work as a gender and transformation activist.

READ: Advocate Penelope Magona-Dano battles to field tough questions in JSC interview

That was until Commissioner Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi asked her why she was slapped with a personal cost order in her practice and why she did not disclose it in her application. 

In her explanation, Parker said she was punished for failing to paginate and add an index on time.

READ: WC High Court judge candidate grilled over judgment involving her cousin

"What you said is an under-disclosure – it is a series of lapses against a series of warnings that led to the personal cost order," said Ngcukaitobi.

"It's regrettable commissioner, unfortunate phase in my practice...first time it happened in so many years," replied Parker.

Other commissioners have pointed to Parker that she did not seem to understand the seriousness of the personal cost order and sounded like she was downplaying it.