Justice Kathleen Satchwell (26th April – 27th June 2003)

Justice Satchwell was a prominent human rights attorney before being appointed a member of the High Court, Transvaal Provincial Division in South Africa. She was appointed by President Nelson Mandela as Chairperson of the Road accident Fund Commission to enquire and make recommendations as to a ‘reasonable, affordable, sustainable and equitable, system for the payment of benefits to the victims of road accidents in South Africa. The report is widely considered to be an extremely significant document, being the product of intensive local and international research. In 2002, Judge Satchwell was nominated for the Constitutional Court. During her stay at the Centre, Justice Satchwell intends to pursue a research programme involving a comparative study of British and South African government commission of enquiry. Specifically she is interested in commissions of enquiry to investigate and make recommendations of social issues such as a disasters, social policy, societal disruption.