Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025 came into force on 13 February 2025 and changed how estate notices may be published in South Africa. Executors no longer have to use a printed newspaper. A compliant digital newspaper that circulates in the deceased’s last district is now sufficient. The Government Gazette portion of the notice remains unchanged.
ALSO READ: J187 notice in South Africa: the Section 35(5) advertisement every executor must publish
What Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025 changed
For sixty years, the Administration of Estates Act required estate notices to appear in a printed newspaper. Print circulation across South Africa has fallen sharply, particularly in rural districts. Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025 aligned practice with that reality. Where printed publication is not feasible, an online advertisement is acceptable, provided the digital newspaper circulates in the deceased’s last district and the public can view the notice free of charge.
What the Directive does not change
The Government Gazette portion of every Section 29 and Section 35(5) notice still runs through the Government Printer in Pretoria. The statutory periods do not change. The standardised wording on the J193 and the J187 forms does not change. Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025 expanded the medium, not the rest of the regime.
Place a compliant online estate notice
Want help placing your estate notice online and in the Government Gazette under Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025? Legal Notice Publishing handles the full process. Contact jana@legalnotice.co.za. For background, see how to publish a deceased estate notice online in South Africa and why Government Gazette legal notices are important.
Frequently asked questions
Q: When did Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025 take effect?
A: On 13 February 2025, the date of signature.
Q: Does Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025 replace the Government Gazette publication?
A: No. The Gazette publication continues unchanged. The Directive addresses only the newspaper publication.
Q: Can any online publication be used under the Directive?
A: No. The publication must be a digital newspaper, must circulate in the deceased’s last district, must allow free public access for the full statutory period, and must issue Master-acceptable proof of publication.
Sources: Chief Master’s Directives, Master of the High Court, Master forms
