Jacob Zuma's possible corruption trial will be shaped by five Supreme Court of Appeal judges.

Judge Tom Cloete is a Freemason who publicly defended the organisation's policy of separate groups for men and women by reportedly saying this helped to prevent extramarital affairs.

Judge Ian Farlam famously presided over the divorce of Earl Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana, from his former model wife Victoria Lockwood. He is a provincial chancellor of the Church of the Province of South Africa.

Judge Robert Nugent has also made his fair share of front pages, most recently when he effectively ruled that the sub judice rule - often used to stop the media from reporting on pending court cases - was outdated. In February, he gave a landmark ruling that allows the state to seize cars belonging to and used by drunk drivers.

Also on the bench is the chairperson of the Legal Aid Board, Judge Dunstan Mlambo. He has warned that a strong, well-funded prosecutions authority and adequately resourced Scorpions lined up against an underfunded Legal Aid Board could produce an unfair justice system and a police state.

Judge Visvanathan Ponnan was one of the judges who recently ruled that Baby Ruth could not be adopted by the American De Gree family. - Karyn Maughan

With acknowledgements to Karyn Maughan and The Star.