Bachelor of Commerce in Law

Purpose

The Bachelor of Commerce in Law qualification will provide learners with the necessary skills to excel in an increasingly competitive legal and business environment. Addressing the most pressing challenges from a business and legal perspective is vital for offering learners the best competitive advantage in their careers.

Learners who achieve this qualification will be able to demonstrate competence in theoretical knowledge, as well as practical application. This will be achieved through a combination of case studies and theory. The qualification will enable learners to establish a comprehensive understanding of the implications of law on commerce and business, while addressing pressing contemporary skills requirements related to digital skills, general and financial management, international business law, internet law, and general corporate regulations.

The typical learner for this qualification will primarily focus on the compliance, risk and fiduciary professions, or will be those who are in-house legal counsel for a business. The qualification will also be ideal for those looking to start their own business or become entrepreneurs. The qualification will be designed to address the unique pedagogical requirements of these learners who need to gain a better understanding of the intersection between law and business in South Africa.

Equipped with the knowledge from this qualification, learners will be able to navigate their way through the world of business with a firm understanding of the legal considerations needed to be successful in the world of business, in an environment that is rapidly evolving.

Upon completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to

• Analyse the South African legal system in relation to commercial activity and the impact that this regulatory framework has on economic activity in the country.
• Incorporate legal analysis and reasoning into business operations to support all stakeholders in effectively achieving the objectives of a business.
• Construct legal recommendations, rooted in legislation and case law, that have been tailored to the business context.
• Evaluate business decisions from various perspectives to ensure that an organisation meets its objectives, remains compliant, and contributes constructively towards society.

Rationale

According to the "Lexis Nexis 2021 State of the Legal Industry" in South Africa report, which surveyed professionals in the sector, operational effectiveness has been grossly impacted, with 60% of respondents reporting as such. The downturn experienced by most countries globally has also influenced local law organisations. According to the same report, there was a 19% drop in planned team expansion by law firms between 2016 and 2021.

This trend is most likely continuing, signalling the need for aspiring legal professionals to position themselves in an increasingly competitive labour market. The increased importance of digital data protection and the dramatic increase in cybercrime have seen the introduction of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Legal qualifications must therefore be able to provide learners with a line of sight of these regulations, along with the issues they are trying to address.

This qualification is aimed at addressing the most pressing educational needs of the legal profession in South Africa. This qualification aims to equip professionals looking for insights into the intersection of law and business, and looks to address various contemporary aspects impacting the intersection of law and commerce. Learners will be exposed to a balanced curriculum that introduces foundational business principles combined with in-depth exposure to legal theory and principles.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution admits a small number of learners onto its qualification via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Applicants interested in applying via RPL will be considered individually by the relevant Head of School. A matric with a Bachelor's degree entry, or equivalent, is the usual route to admission (see admission requirements). However, in particular cases, learners without such qualifications, and whose age, work and proven expertise and competency have provided them with equivalent levels of learning, may apply for admission in terms of the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and Credit Accumulation and Transfer Policy.

The learner is required to submit details of such experience to the institution, and each application is handled on a case-by-case basis, where the application is evaluated against the background of the qualification requirements.

The institution is able to provide alternative entry routes for 10% of any intake.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to bachelor's degree studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV), NQF Level 4, granting access to the bachelor's degree studies.

Or

• Higher Certificate in Law, NQF Level 5.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6, and 7, totalling 390 Credits.

Learners must complete eight of the compulsory modules in year one, six in year two, and one in year three. They must complete the eleven elective modules; two elective modules in year one, two elective modules in year two, and seven elective modules in year three.

Compulsory modules, Level 5, 102 Credits

• Induction to Business Studies, 5 Credits.
• Principles of Micro- and Macro-Economics, 15 Credits.
• Principles of Accounting, 20 Credits.
• Mathematical Principles, 7 Credits.
• Digital Skills for the Business World, 10 Credits.
• General Management, 15 Credits.
• The South African Legal Landscape, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Constitutional Law and Statutory Interpretation, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5, 35 Credits

• Law of Contract, 20 Credits.
• Fraud Detection, 15 Credits.

Compulsory modules, Level 6, 93 Credits

• Finance for Non-Financial Managers, 20 Credits.
• Financial Mathematics, 8 Credits.
• Business Management, 10 Credits.
• Taxation, 20 Credits.
• Legal Research and Communication, 15 Credits.
• Companies Law and Procedures, 20 Credits.

Elective modules, Level 6, 30 Credits

• Law of Things, 15 Credits.
• Law of Persons, 15 Credits.

Compulsory modules, Level 7, 15 Credits

• Business Ethics and Corporate Governance, 15 Credits.

Elective modules, Level 7, 115 Credits

• Leadership in Diverse Environments, 15 Credits.
• Business Management, 15 Credits.
• Strategic Management, 15 Credits.
• International Business Law, 15 Credits.
• Internet Law, 15 Credits.
• General Corporate Regulations, 15 Credits.
• Law in Business Case Study, 25 Credits.

1. Analyse the South African legal system in relation to commercial activity and the impact that this regulatory framework has on economic activity in the country.
2. Incorporate legal analysis and reasoning into business operations to support all stakeholders in effectively achieving the objectives of a business.
3. Construct legal recommendations, rooted in legislation and case law, that have been tailored to the business context.
4. Evaluate business decisions from various perspectives to ensure that an organisation meets its objectives, remains compliant, and contributes constructively towards society.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify key legal fields impacting commercial activity.
• Evaluate legislative hierarchy and its significance to business in South Africa.
• Examine legal precedent and its influence on commercial decision-making.
• Integrate socio-economic factors and stakeholder interests in business regulation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Evaluate the legal implications of potential business decisions, using critical thinking.
• Recommend legally sound solutions to support internal stakeholders in their respective business areas.
• Evaluate legislation that would impact business activities in relation to external stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Analyse a business context to determine where legal solutions and advice are required.
• Interpret legislation and case law in alignment with business needs to find nuanced solutions that are appropriate to the context.
• Recommend appropriate solutions that are customised to meet the practical requirements of the business in a legally sound manner.
• Optimise the communication of legal information in a business, adapting the format and using appropriate wording to align with the business needs and the audience it is intended for.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Explore the intersection of ethics and the law in business in the South African and global context, and the impact that this has on society at large.
• Assess business operations and strategy in terms of compliance with regulatory frameworks.
• Incorporate the management of risks and opportunities into a business strategy.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The institution's assessment process is governed by the Assessment Policy. At the undergraduate level, assessment is mostly conducted through formative, submitted:

• assignments
• tests
• discussion forums
• presentations and/or projects (weighted 30% of the final result for the module) and one summative assessment, consisting of either an open- or closed-book proctored exam or a project/submission (weighted 70% of the final result for the module).

In keeping with this policy, and to ensure that the process results in a fair and valid assessment, the entire assessment process is subject to a layered checking and re-checking process that ensures the integrity of the overall assessment and its place in the qualification. This includes internal and external moderation, as per our policy. Learners are guided at the beginning of the semester regarding the assessment structure of each module, in order to set expectations. Substantive formative assessment feedback is given on an individual basis. For this qualification, formative assessments will include informal class work during the semester, homework handed in for marks, graded discussions, as well as online objective tests and a group assignment. Online tests, containing both objective test questions and longer discussion questions, will also be written during the semester as online proctored assessments.

Summative assessment

The summative assessment will be in the format of a formal exam paper written at the end of the semester, and will also contain both objective test questions and longer discussion questions, as well as a pre-seen case study. In the case study module, learners will be expected to complete an integrated assessment.

The assessment strategy will align with the qualification outcomes and will test the relevant module outcomes. The Learner Management System (LMS) will be used to facilitate online objective tests and graded discussions.

The assessments will be a combination of objective test questions, which require in-depth technical knowledge to answer, and longer discussion questions, which require application of the subject content. The objective test questions typically test the technical knowledge through questions including short calculations, matching terms and application of the terms, choosing all statements that apply, and filling in missing words in sentences. The longer discussion questions typically test the application of the subject content by confronting the learner with a business problem that needs to be solved. The business problems are often solved by a combination of discussion/application, calculations, and recommendations.

Formative assessments will contribute 30% to the final mark, while summative assessments will contribute to 70% of the final mark.