Gerald Friedman (judge)

The Honourable Gerald Friedman SC
Judge President of the Cape Provincial Division
In office 1992–1998
Preceded by	George Munnik
Succeeded by	Edwin King
Judge of the Appellate Division
In office 1990–1991
Judge of the Cape Provincial Division of the Supreme Court
In office 1977–1990
Personal details
Born	(1928-09-13)13 September 1928
Died	11 September 2023(2023-09-11) (aged 94)
Alma mater	University of Cape Town
Profession	Advocate

Gerald Friedman SC (13 September 1928 – 11 September 2023) was a South African judge who was Judge President of the Cape Provincial Division of the Supreme Court.

Early life and education

Friedman studied at the University of Cape Town and obtained the degrees of BA and LLB.[1]

Career

In 1950, Friedman was admitted to the Cape Bar and twenty year later, in 1970 he took silk. In 1977, he was appointed a judge at the Cape Provincial Division of the Supreme Court and in 1990, he was promoted to Judge of Appeal.[2][1] In 1992 re-joined the Cape Division of the Supreme Court, becoming the Judge President of the Cape, a post he had held until 1998.[3]

From 1999 until 2010, Friedman acted as the chairperson of the Financial Services Appeal Board and from 1999 until 2007, also as chair of the Ombudsman's Council.[4]

Notable cases

Friedman was the presiding judge in the murder trial of the accused for the murder of the American student, Amy Biehl, during 1993. He convicted the accused and sentenced them to 18 years in prison.[5]

Death

Friedman died on 11 September 2023, two days before his 95th birthday.[6]

References

1. "Three new Judges of Appeal" (PDF). Consultus. 4 (1): 31. 1991 – via General Council of the Bar of South Africa.
2. "Supreme Court of Appeal: History". www.supremecourtofappeal.org.za. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
3. Friedman, Gerald; Gauntlett, Jeremy (2013). Bar, bench & bullshifters : Cape tales 1950-1990. Cape Town, South Africa: Siber Ink. ISBN 978-1-920025-69-4. OCLC 846790131.
4. "Financial Services Ombudschemes Bill 2004". static.pmg.org.za. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
5. "Amy Biehl's Killers Get 18-Year Sentences". Los Angeles Times. 27 October 1994. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
6. Gauntlett, Jeremy (19 September 2023). "Remembering Gerald Friedman – a long life of decisiveness, principle and example". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 15 November 2023.