The court as the upper guardian of all minors may appoint a person as tutor of a minor to take care of the person of the minor and to administer the property of the minor.

It is usually an interested party who lodged the application to Court by way of Notice of Motion.  On receipt of the application the court will usually appoint a curator-ad-litem to protect the interests of the minor and to investigate the merits of the application.   Both the curator-ad-litem and the Master must lodge  reports to the court

Once the court has granted the application and appointed a tutor, the Master must give effect to the court order by issuing letter of tutorship and thereby authorizing the appointed tutor to act.

Requirements for an appointment

• A copy of the application to court together with the reports by the curator-ad-litem and the Master;
• The court order appointing the tutor;
• A Preliminary inventory – form J243, which reflects the assets of the minor;
• Undertaking and bond of security – form J262 by the nominated tutor, unless the tutor has been exempted from furnishing security by the court.
• Application for appointment as tutor – form J197.