The US presidential hopeful is a great improvement on the current leadership, but just how progressive he might be remains to be seen.

Black legal organisations closed ranks around Hlophe this week, adding their voices to a chorus of criticism about the court's conduct.

A Johannesburg Bar member protests against the attack on Judge John Hlophe on insubstantial evidence.

The chair of Parliament's justice committee has called for the Judicial Service Commission to consider opening to the public some of its hearings on the conduct of Cape Judge President John Hlophe.

South Africa's commitment to the rule of law faces a critical test in the coming months, former president FW de Klerk told the British South African Law Association.