[2][3]: 7 Curlewis was born in Paarl, Cape Colony, the son of Rev.
[3]: 7 He was educated at the Diocesan College, Rondebosch, before joining the Cape Civil Service.
[3]: 7 He began to practice in Pretoria in 1888, before being appointed as a judge of the Transvaal High Court in 1903.
[2][3]: 7 Curlewis became Chief Justice of the Union of South Africa in 1936, and was made a Privy Counsellor the following year.
[3]: 7 He was also acting Governor-General of South Africa in 1933 from June until December under a dormant commission that was invoked.