The Justice for Hlophe Alliance believes that Judge John Hlophe was not appointed to the Constitutional Court because he did not have a fair interview in front of the Judicial Service Commission.

The JSC announced, on Tuesday, the seven candidates it was putting forward for the four Constitutional Court posts but Hlohpe failed to make the short list.

The alliance?s Percy Gumbi said, "Obviously we have no control over the decision of the JSC and we respect it.?

The judges who have made the final list are Johan Froneman, Chris Jafta, Sisi Khampepe, Mandisa Maya, Moegeng Moegeng, Leona Theron and Raymond Zondo.

It is unknown what happened behind the closed doors of Tuesday?s hour long deliberations, by the JSC, but by looking at how its members have been picked it is clear the African National Congress representatives and the presidential appointments did not put up any kind of fight in favour of Judge Hlophe.

As a result, University of Cape Town Law Professor Pierre de Vos said the institution has been saved.

Meanwhile, University of the Witwatersrand Law Professor David Unterhalter is intrigued by the selection of so many appeal court judges.

Many lawyers will be hoping for a period of calm for the judiciary.