Arthur Chaskalson

2004 Justice Prize

Laureate Profile

With a life long commitment to human rights, Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson was appointed by President Nelson Mandela to be the first President of South Africa’s Constitutional Court, the country’s highest court in constitutional matters. An expert in constitutional law, he has served as consultant to several African governments and other organizations in the drafting of constitutions. He sees the existence and promotion of an independent judiciary as a core value of democracy and of good governance.