CAPE Judge President John Hlophe's battle to clear his name was given a lifeline when the South Gauteng high court in Johannesburg ordered the Judicial Services Commission to stop proceedings against him.

Judge Nigel Willis yesterday said the JSC proceedings must be set aside and that new proceedings should begin on a date suitable to both parties.

Hlope's lawyer Barnabas Xulu said his client felt vindicated.

"We also feel vindicated because we have been treated unfairly, unlawfully and unconstitutionally," he said.

Xulu said they would study the 60-page judgment and consult with Hlope about which action to take.

Hlophe is being investigated after the judges of the Constitutional Court complained that he had tried to influence two of them while they were considering a judgment relating to President Jacob Zuma's challenge to the lawfulness of raids on his properties and those of his associates. The hearing began on April 1 but was postponed because Hlope was sick.