The Pretoria Master's Office has come under fire for its poor service delivery, characterized by significant backlogs and a lack of organization. Attorneys have described the office's operations as 'abysmal' and 'completely dysfunctional,' raising concerns about the integrity of legal processes as many users report an inability to locate files and a breakdown in basic administrative functions. This has raised alarms regarding the efficacy of the legal system in managing curatorships, deceased estates, insolvencies, trusts, and the Guardian's Fund, all of which fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court Master.

Moreover, allegations have surfaced suggesting the presence of corrupt practices within the office, where attorneys claim that 'runners' are being used to jump queues for a fee, exposing the system to fraud and further complicating the already strained operations. With trust in the office dwindling, legal professionals are pushing for serious reforms to restore confidence and ensure that legal matters are handled with the needed diligence and integrity.

In response to these serious issues, the Department of Justice has announced that it is taking steps to address the backlogs by filling vacant positions, improving complaints management, and deploying task teams to tackle the inefficiencies. The effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen as stakeholders continue to call for greater accountability and transparency in the administration of justice in Pretoria.