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Pretoria vs Johannesburg Master’s Office: Which Office Has Jurisdiction?

Quick summary
The Master of the High Court that handles a deceased estate is determined by where the deceased was ordinarily resident at date of death — not where they died, not where they were born, not where their property is. For trusts, jurisdiction is determined by where the founder is resident at the time of registration.
The Pretoria Master has jurisdiction over Tshwane (Pretoria CBD, Centurion, Akasia and surrounds). The Johannesburg Master has jurisdiction over Johannesburg, Sandton, Roodepoort and the East and West Rand.
Getting jurisdiction wrong means starting over at the right Master. This article shows how to determine the right office and what to do in borderline cases.

The legal test

Section 4 of the Administration of Estates Act, 1965 says the Master in whose area the deceased was “ordinarily resident” at the date of death has jurisdiction over the estate.

“Ordinarily resident” means the place where the deceased made their settled home — where they slept most nights, kept their personal effects, paid their utility bills. It is a question of fact, not preference.

For trusts, the Trust Property Control Act, 1988 uses a similar test based on the founder’s ordinary residence at the time of trust registration.

The Pretoria Master

The Pretoria Master of the High Court is at:

  • Until 31 May 2026: SALU Building, 316 Thabo Sehume Street, Pretoria
  • From 1 June 2026: 351 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria

The Pretoria Master has jurisdiction over:

Pretoria CBD and inner suburbs

  • Arcadia, Sunnyside, Muckleneuk, Brooklyn
  • Hatfield, Hillcrest, Lukasrand
  • Pretoria North, Pretoria West, Pretoria East

Centurion and surrounds

  • Centurion CBD, Lyttelton, Eldoraigne
  • Wierda Park, Doringkloof, Erasmia
  • Heuweloord, Rooihuiskraal

Northern suburbs

  • Akasia, Wonderboom, Theresa Park
  • Montana, Sinoville, Magalieskruin
  • Karenpark, Doornpoort

Eastern suburbs

  • Menlyn, Lynnwood, Garsfontein
  • Faerie Glen, Equestria, Constantia Park
  • Silver Lakes, Mooikloof

Western and southern

  • Atteridgeville, Olievenhoutbosch
  • Centurion South, Cornwall Hill

Townships

  • Mamelodi, Soshanguve, Hammanskraal
  • Refilwe, Cullinan (some matters)

Outlying areas (verify before lodging)

  • Bronkhorstspruit (sometimes Pretoria, sometimes another Master)
  • Hekpoort, De Wildt (verify)

The Johannesburg Master

The Johannesburg Master is at 66 Marshall Street, Johannesburg.

Jurisdiction covers:

Johannesburg metro

  • Johannesburg CBD, Newtown, Braamfontein
  • Houghton, Parkview, Parkhurst
  • Bedfordview, Edenvale, Greenstone

Sandton and northern Johannesburg

  • Sandton CBD, Hyde Park, Rosebank
  • Bryanston, Sandhurst, Morningside
  • Lonehill, Fourways, Dainfern

Roodepoort

  • Roodepoort CBD, Florida, Constantia Kloof
  • Weltevreden Park, Wilropark, Allen’s Nek
  • Strubens Valley, Honeydew

Randburg

  • Randburg CBD, Cresta, Northcliff
  • Linden, Olivedale, Bromhof

East Rand

  • Boksburg, Benoni, Brakpan
  • Springs, Nigel, Daveyton

West Rand

  • Krugersdorp, Roodepoort West
  • Mogale City

Soweto

  • All Soweto townships

Edge cases

Deceased lived in Centurion but died in a Johannesburg hospital

The deceased was ordinarily resident in Centurion → Pretoria Master. The hospital death does not change jurisdiction.

Deceased had a holiday home in Hartbeespoort and a primary home in Sandton

Ordinarily resident is determined by where the deceased lived most of the time and considered their primary home. If Sandton was the main home, Johannesburg Master.

Deceased lived in Pretoria but owned property in Cape Town

Jurisdiction is based on the deceased’s residence, not the location of property. Pretoria Master handles the estate. The Cape Town property is dealt with by the Pretoria-appointed executor through the Cape Town deeds office.

Deceased was in a nursing home in Centurion for 2 years before death, but had lived in Sandton for 60 years before that

This is the hardest case. The Master typically follows where the deceased was physically resident at the time of death, even if that residence was relatively recent. Pretoria Master is the safer choice. Document the history in case challenged.

Deceased moved to Pretoria 6 months before death, leaving Johannesburg property

Same principle — if the deceased moved to Pretoria with the intention of staying (not a temporary visit), they are ordinarily resident in Pretoria. Pretoria Master. The Master may ask for proof of move (utility transfer, change of address with banks, etc.).

Deceased was a Pretoria diplomat posted abroad

Diplomatic and foreign-service personnel may retain South African ordinary residence even when posted abroad. Confirm with an attorney — there is special doctrine for this.

Deceased had dual residence with a spouse — one in Pretoria, one in Cape Town

Where a person has more than one residence, ordinary residence is the principal one. Often where the main personal effects, immediate family and primary social life are based. The other home is considered “secondary”.

Trust founder is in Pretoria but trustees are in Cape Town

Trust jurisdiction is determined by founder’s residence. So the trust is registered with the Pretoria Master, even though the trustees operate from Cape Town. After registration, the trust is administered by the trustees but Master oversight stays with Pretoria.

How to confirm jurisdiction

If you are not 100% sure which Master applies:

  1. Check the last 6 months of bank statements — what is the residential address shown? Where did the deceased pay utility bills?
  2. Check the ID document — what address is recorded?
  3. Check Home Affairs records — the death certificate shows the residence reported by the funeral director
  4. Check title deeds for property — does the deceased own property in their sole name, and where?
  5. Ask the family — where did the deceased consider home?

If still unclear, lodge with the Master most likely to have jurisdiction. If the Master decides they do not have jurisdiction, they will forward the file to the correct Master with a covering letter — this takes 2–4 weeks but is automatic.

What happens if you lodge at the wrong Master?

Two outcomes:

Outcome 1: The Master accepts and processes. Sometimes the Master accepts a marginal case and issues Letters of Executorship. The estate proceeds. Other Masters do not typically challenge.

Outcome 2: The Master rejects or transfers. If clearly wrong jurisdiction, the Master returns the pack with a note, or forwards to the correct Master. You lose 4–8 weeks but the file is not lost.

The Master will not refund any lodgement fees or other costs incurred on the wrong-Master lodgement.

When to use a Pretoria correspondent

Even where Johannesburg has jurisdiction, you may use a Pretoria correspondent if:

  • You have several estates and prefer one correspondent for both
  • Your firm is in another city and Pretoria is easier to reach
  • Some matters cross jurisdictional lines

But always register the estate at the correct Master. Use a correspondent only for lodgement attendance, not as the appointing Master.

Other Masters of the High Court (for completeness)

Outside Pretoria and Johannesburg, the following Masters operate:

  • Cape Town — for Western Cape (most of it)
  • Mthatha — for the former Transkei
  • Pietermaritzburg — for KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
  • Durban — for KwaZulu-Natal coast
  • Bloemfontein — for Free State and Northern Cape
  • Port Elizabeth — for Eastern Cape coast
  • Bisho — for parts of the former Ciskei
  • Polokwane — for Limpopo
  • Mahikeng — for North West
  • Nelspruit — for Mpumalanga
  • Kimberley — Northern Cape (in some cases)

Each Master operates within its provincial High Court division.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose which Master to use?

No. Jurisdiction is determined by the deceased’s residence, not by the executor’s preference.

What if the deceased was homeless?

Jurisdiction is determined by where the deceased was last lawfully resident. The Master accepts evidence of habitual presence (charity records, hospital records).

What about a deceased estate where the deceased lived in a hotel?

The Master of the area where the hotel is located has jurisdiction, provided the deceased had been there for a settled period.

What if the deceased died in transit?

Jurisdiction is the deceased’s last ordinary residence — not the country or province where they died.

Are the Masters of the High Court connected?

They share a national database but operate independently. A file registered with the Pretoria Master will not appear in Johannesburg’s records.

What if jurisdiction is disputed?

The Master can decide jurisdiction at first instance. If a party disputes the decision, application to the High Court for declaration is the remedy.

How MasterAssistant can help

We are a Pretoria-based correspondent. We can:

  • Confirm jurisdiction — free 10-minute call. We tell you whether Pretoria or Johannesburg applies.
  • Lodge at Pretoria — R650–R1,500 per attendance. Same-day if before 10:00.
  • Refer to Johannesburg — if jurisdiction is Johannesburg, we refer you to a Johannesburg correspondent at no charge.

Not sure which Master applies? Call 087 001 0733 or start online. We confirm jurisdiction at no charge before any work.

Last updated: 17 May 2026. Jurisdiction is governed by section 4 of the Administration of Estates Act, 1965 and section 6 of the Trust Property Control Act, 1988. Edge cases should be discussed with an attorney.