Kevin Swain

Kevin Gerard Beecroft Swain (born 20 December 1950) is a South African retired judge who served in the Supreme Court of Appeal from 2014 to 2020. He was formerly a judge of the KwaZulu-Natal High Court from 2003 to 2014. Before joining the bench in November 2003, he was an advocate and Senior Counsel in Pietermaritzburg.

Early life and education Swain was born on 20 December 1950 in Pietermaritzburg in the former Natal Province. He attended Merchiston Preparatory School and Maritzburg College, matriculating in 1967.

Thereafter he studied at the University of Natal's Pietermaritzburg campus, where he completed a BSc in 1972 and an LLB cum laude in 1975, and at the University of Cambridge, where he completed a second LLB in 1977.

During his time at the Bar, Swain was a part-time lecturer at the University of Natal from 1978 to 1980, teaching public international law and law of evidence, and he was later the vice-chairman of the Pietermaritzburg Bar for two terms from 1995 to 1997 and from 1999 to 2001. and the Business Day described his candidacy as "apparently universally supported". After the interviews, the commission recommended Swain, Boissie Mbha, and Dumisani Zondi for appointment, and President Jacob Zuma accepted the recommendation the following month, appointing the trio to the Supreme Court of Appeal with effect from 1 June 2014. Swain served in the appellate court until his retirement in 2020.

Personal life He is married to Anne Swain; they have two children.