In Search of a Comparative Methodology in the Jurisprudence of the South African Constitutional Court

Abstract

This article examines whether a judicial methodology to the use of comparative law has developed in the jurisprudence of the South African Constitutional Court. It does so by examining 10 recent cases where the Constitutional Court has considered foreign law. The author finds that a clear legal methodology to the use of foreign law has not developed in the jurisprudence of the South African Constitutional Court. Foreign law is often relied on in a piecemeal fashion and these examples are often “cherry picked” with little or no justification provided by the Court. The Court still shows apreference for considering “Global North” experiences. In addition, the Court has mostly failed to consider the social realities and cultural considerations of the comparator countries vis-à-vis those of South Africa.