Bachelor of Laws

Purpose

To produce Law graduates who have a systematic and coherent body of knowledge and an understanding of relevant concepts and principles; a high level of cognitive and other generic skills including problem-solving and the practical application of principles; written and spoken communication, numeracy and computer literacy; and competence in applying knowledge through basic research methods and practice.

To provide Law graduates with sufficient depth of knowledge and skills for continued and lifelong personal intellectual growth, including postgraduate study.

To provide suitably qualified Law graduates having initiative, responsibility, and the requisite ethical standards to participate in promoting the administration of justice and the development of legal institutions in South African society.

To provide the South African community with Lawyers who are empowered to accept their responsibility towards the realisation of a just society based on a constitutional democracy and the rule of Law within an international legal order.

Rationale

There is a crucial need in South Africa for capacity building in the sub-field of Justice in Society to promote the principles contained in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution with a view to addressing past and current injustices and to ensure the sustained development of a just and democratic society based on the rule of Law. The generation of a generic Literally Legum Baccalaureus (LLB) qualification will provide an opportunity to promote the establishment of curricula with an innovative approach to legal education in order to achieve the aims of not only inculcating knowledge in a learner, but also imparting skill and values essential for Lawyers living in a democratic society.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the university's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In addition, in the RPL process students have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the student's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidates' interest in in the discipline as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• The National Senior Certificate.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 490 Credits.

Study Level 1.

Compulsory Modules Level 5, 130 Credits

English for Educational Development 101 (Law), 15 Credits.

Introduction to Legal Studies 111, 15 Credits.

Introduction to Legal Studies 121, 10 Credits.

Law of Persons 112, 15 Credits.

Legal Systems 111, 15 Credits.

Family Law 121, 15 Credits.

Customary Law 121, 15 Credits.

Non Legal Subject, 30 Credits.

Study Level 2.

Compulsory Modules Level 6, 120 Credits

Criminal Law 202, 20 Credits.

Constitutional Law 202, 20 Credits.

Law of Criminal Procedure 204, 20 Credits.

Critical Legal Analysis 201, 10 Credits.

Law of Things 211, 15 Credits.

Law of Succession 211, 10 Credits.

Law of Delict 221, 15 Credits.

Legal Interpretation 221, 10 Credits.

Study Level 3.

Module Name.

Compulsory Modules Level 7, 120 Credits

Law of Civil Procedure 302, 20 Credits.

Law of Contract 301, 20 Credits.

Introduction to Advocacy 301, 10 Credits.

Administrative Law 311, 15 Credits.

Law of Insolvency 311, 10 Credits.

Jurisprudence 311, 10 Credits.

Labour Law 321, 15 Credits.

Law of Payment Instruments 321, 10 Credits.

Public International Law 321, 10 Credits.

Study Level 4.

Compulsory Modules Level 8, 60 Credits

Corporate Law 401, 20 Credits.

Law of Evidence 402, 20 Credits.

Preparing for Legal Practice 401, 10 Credits.

Research Paper 431, 10 Credits.

Electives (select modules to the value of 60 Credits)

Elective Modules at Level 8

Accounting 431, 10 Credits.

Advanced Constitutional Law , 10 Credits.

Advanced Corporate Law 431, 10 Credits.

Advanced Criminal Law 431, 10 Credits.

Advanced Family Law 431, 10 Credits.

Advanced Labour Law 431, 10 Credits.

Advanced Law of Civil Procedure 412, 10 Credits.

Advanced Law of Contract 431, 10 Credits.

Advanced Law of Criminal Procedure 412, 10 Credits.

Advanced Legal Interpretation 412, 10 Credits.

Advanced Public Law 431, 10 Credits.

Alternative Dispute Resolution 431, 10 Credits.

Child Justice 431, 10 Credits.

Comparative Conflict Resolution 411, 10 Credits.

Comparative Law 431, 10 Credits.

Competition Law 431, 10 Credits.

Conflict of Laws 431, 10 Credits.

Conveyancing 431, 10 Credits.

Criminal Justice 431, 10 Credits.

Environmental Law 431, 10 Credits.

Regional Integration 431, 10 Credits.

Gender Law 431, 10 Credits.

Immigration and Refugee Law 401, 10 Credits.

Intellectual Property Law 431, 10 Credits.

International Business Law 431, 10 Credits.

Internet Law 431, 10 Credits.

Land Law 431, 10 Credits.

Law of Agency and Cession 431, 10 Credits.

Law of Banking 431, 10 Credits.

Law of Insurance 431, 10 Credits.

Law of Sale and Lease 431, 10 Credits.

Law of Trusts 431, 10 Credits.

Law of Unjustified Enrichment 431, 10 Credits.

Legal Process 401, 20 Credits.

Maritime Law 431, 10 Credits.

Muslim Personal Law 431, 10 Credits.

Social Security Law 431, 10 Credits.

South African Bill of Rights 431, 10 Credits.

Street Law 431, 10 Credits.

Tax Law 431, 10 Credits.

1. Acquire a coherent understanding of, and ability to analyse fundamental legal and related concepts, principles, theories and their relationship to values critically.
2. Acquire knowledge and understanding of the law.
3. Ability to acquire, analyse and comment upon the law critically.
4. Acquire knowledge and understanding of, and ability to critically analyse and comment upon current and controversial legal issues.
5. Develop an understanding of how legal principles operate in practice.
6. Develop the ability to explain, critically analyse and comment upon the relationship between law and society.
7. Conduct research using appropriate techniques such as literature review, electronic information search and retrieval, statute and case analysis.
8. Act responsibly and ethically as a researcher and scholar.
9. Understand, interpret and apply relevant conventions and guidelines applicable to research and scholarship.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding and application of legal research responsibility and ethically using different research methods and techniques.
• Demonstrate the ability to research, analyse and evaluate information from a legal perspective.
• Demonstrate that he/she can effectively communicate by written means as required in the legal environment.
• Demonstrate professional responsibility, creativity and innovation when providing appropriate legal advice.
• Provide evidence of sufficient skills to interact successfully with colleagues, other role players in the legal process and members of other professions and disciplines.
• Demonstrate the computer skills required in a legal environment.
• Demonstrate the successful use of different learning strategies, and the ability to integrate these strategies and organize his/her own life.

Integrated Assessment

Learning and assessment should be integrated. Ongoing formative assessment is required so that learners are given feedback on their progress in the achievement of specific learning outcomes. Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement must include 'Integrated Assessment(s)' which test the learners' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes, which are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes as a whole.