The Association of Insolvency Practitioners of Southern Africa

About Master's Offices

A Master of the High Court is appointed for every provincial division of the High Court of South Africa. Master's offices are situated in Bisho, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Grahamstown, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Mmabatho/Mafikeng, Pietermaritzburg, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Thohoyandou. Umtata/Mthatha and Windhoek. In terms of the present Acts the Master's Offices execute the following inter alia:

In terms of the present Acts the Master's Offices execute the following inter alia:

• Administration of estates of deceased and insolvent persons according to statutory prescriptions
• Handling of liquidations of companies and close corporations
• Handling and assessment of estate duties, delegated by the South African Revenue Services
• Supervision of Trustees
• Safeguarding documentary material received in respect of estates, insolvency's, liquidations, trusts etc.
• Processing of Enquirer by executors, attorneys and beneficiaries
• Holding security provided by executors, attorneys, trustees, curators and liquidators
• Appointment of impartial and capable persons as executors, trustees, curators and liquidators
   

Various Acts regulate the duties and powers of the Master. The more important ones are:

• The Administration of Estates Act, 1965 (Act No 66 of 1965)
• The Insolvency Act, 1936 (Act No. 24 of 1936)
• The Companies Act, 1973 (Act No 61 of 1973
• The Close Corporations Act, 1984 (Act No 69 of 1984)
• The Trust Property Control Act, 1988 (Act No 57 of 1988)
   

A new bill on bankruptcies and liquidations, which will have a major impact on the present law of liquidations and sequestrations, the duties of the Master and responsibilities on appointees and creditors has reached an advanced stage of development.

The Master Office specialises in the administration of all matters mentioned above, their role in the effective and rapid settlement of those matters is essential.

The Masters' staff are in daily contact with practicing attorneys, chartered accountants, insolvency practitioners, persons attached to trust companies, boards of executors, commercial banks and other financial institutions, valuators of estate goods and members of the general public.

The Master's Office assists in an advisory capacity to those not previously exposed to the functions of the Master's Offices.

For more information and advice please contact any one of the Offices of the Master of the High Court.