Doctor of Laws

The purpose of the Doctor of Laws is to empower students with the necessary skills that will enable them to identify, conceptualise, design and implement research projects that address complex and challenging problems within the various fields of Laws. Furthermore, the Doctorate will enable students to either develop or propose solutions through models or theoretical amendments to current Law related problems that would improve economic and social wellbeing.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification recognises

Formal prior learning: Students are expected to hold a Postgraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree (i.e. an LLB Degree completed in accordance with the curriculum prescribed before 1998), or to hold a Master of Laws (LLM) Degree.

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning

A Doctoral Degree which comprises a thesis only cannot be awarded in part through RPL. Faculties and Senate will debate and decide on the issuing of a Doctorate through RPL.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

• Master of Laws Degree.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Module: 24 Credits

• Doctoral Research Proposal in Law, 24 Credits.

Elective Modules

• Doctor of Law (LLD)-Mercantile Law, 336 Credits.
• LLD-Private Law, 336 Credits.
• LLD-Jurisprudence, 336 Credits.
• LLD-Criminal and Procedural Law, 336 Credits.
• LLD-Public, Constitutional and International Law, 336 Credits.

1. Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in an area related to own discipline. Contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge within the field of Laws.
2. Develop new methods, techniques, processes, system or technologies that address a particular research area in the disciple on Laws.
3. Apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflective, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems.
4. Identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues and to advance processes of ethical decision-making, including monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of these decisions where appropriate.
5. Produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work which meets international standards.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of theoretical underpinnings in the management of complex systems.
7. Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in the field of specialisation.
8. Operate independently and take full responsibility for his or her work and, where appropriate, to lead, oversee and be held ultimately accountable for the overall.
9. Governance of processes and systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to the Exit Level Outcomes

• Identify a research problem.
• Compose relevant literature resulting from a systematic and purposeful literature search and review.
• Set realistic aims and objectives for the study.
• Identify a necessary research methodology with which to address the stated aims and objectives.
• Use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing research projects that address complex and challenging problems within the field of Laws.
• Undertake a comprehensive literature review of leading and current research.
• Produce a thesis that meets the standards of scholarly writing.
• Debate and defend chosen theories of knowledge within the area of specialisation.
• Develop and propose new methods or processes to address complex matters as the thesis aims to bring new thinking and applicable solutions to original contexts of research.
• Engage in problem-solving contexts where reflective and creative ways will be explored to address the particular research problem.
• Identify emerging ethical issues related to the study and make appropriate decisions that would address the issues in an ethical manner.
• Access, process and manage information to such an extent that the final document is either a research proposal of acceptable quality or an examinable thesis.
• Produce, defend and communicate information regarding the research.

Integrated Assessment

The Doctor of Laws is a Postgraduate programme that does not have Formative and Summative Assessments. This qualification will be achieved through a research proposal and credible research project(s) or cases studies which will contribute to the Body of Knowledge for Law. Qualified supervisors and co-supervisors will guide their students and prepare them for regular seminar and colloquia presentations to peers and fellow students during their tenures and also prepare them for the examination of their Theses. Students must submit a bound research report with published or publishable scientific articles for examination. A completed research proposal serves as the Summative Assessment for the research proposal module while the completed thesis is the final assessment of the qualification.