Doctor of Laws

The learner will be competent to

• Engage in advanced research in a specialised area of law or social and economic legal policy.
• Apply highly specialised research skills in the public or private legal employment sectors.
• Give leadership and direction in research projects, including supervising academic research, and in the social and economic policy analysis of law.

Formal Prior Learning

Master of Laws (LLM) Degree, or a qualification equivalent for this purpose.

Informal and Non-Formal Prior Learning

A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree and relevant experiential learning acquired by working in a legal environment.

Exit Level Outcomes

1. State a research thesis in an area of law or socio-economic legal policy and address this though recognised research practice at an advanced level.
2. Demonstrate advanced ability in collecting and evaluating information in the area of law or socio-economic legal policy.
3. Demonstrate advanced research skills and independent competence in pursuing research.
4. Demonstrate a creative approach to solutions of complex legal issues and social policy matters in the area of the law or law and social policy.
5. Bring to a conclusion the process of research design, information retrieval and evaluation through the production of a thesis.
6. Make a substantial contribution to the advancement of knowledge in law, legal philosophy or socio-economic legal policy.

Specific Outcomes

1.1. Prepare a research proposal.

1.2. Identify an area of the law or socio-economic legal policy worthy of investigation.

1.3. Demonstrate a high level of familiarity with the current state of research in the field of law or law and social policy.

2.1. Collect information, showing familiarity with the possible sources of information.

2.2. Evaluate the relevance of the information in relation to the topic of research.

3.1. Prosecute research in a systematic way without extensive supervision.

3.2. Make accurate judgments as to the direction of the research process.

4.1. Utilise legal dogmatics and theories of law and society to elucidate the topic of the research.

4.2. Propose appropriate, rational and logical solutions to the research problem.

5.1. Write a logically organised thesis presenting the findings of the process of research.

5.2. The thesis respects the rules of grammar, syntax and spelling of the language in which it is written.

6.1. The thesis demonstrates new insights into the subject or a fresh arrangement of existing knowledge.

6.2. The contribution to legal knowledge is substantial.

• The research proposal is logical and rational.
• The research proposal represents a feasible and coherent project.
• The proposal represents a problem area in the law or in socio-economic legal policy. which is worthy of investigation.
• The proposal will address an existing or anticipated problem in society which could-be addressed by law.
• The learner demonstrates knowledge of the current state of knowledge in the field.
• The learner is able to articulate the areas of the field of research which are worthy of further investigation.
• The learner collects information using appropriate research tools.
• The learner understands the importance of the hierarchy of legal sources.
• The learner is able to select information relevant to the topic of inquiry.
• The learner is able to evaluate the importance of the information collected relative to the tonic of inquiry.
• The learner makes progress without close supervision.
• The learner works in a systematic and methodical way.
• The Learner makes appropriate and justifiable decisions concerning the direction of the process of research.
• The learner utilises appropriate theoretical approaches.
• The theories adopted are properly integrated with the corpus of knowledge under investigation.
• The solutions suggested are fully justified by the research findings.
• The research conclusions are rational and logical.
• The thesis is logical.
• The arrangement is rational.
• The conclusions are justified.
• There are minimal spelling errors in the thesis.
• The grammar, style and syntax are correct and ammoniate.
• New insights are demonstrated.
• The arrangement of the knowledge is novel and original.
• The learner makes a substantial contribution to legal knowledge.

Integrated Assessment

• Continuous Assessment will take place through the evaluation of the research proposal, and through regular review of the research process by the learner and the supervisor.
• Summative Assessment will consist of the production of a thesis and such oral or written examinations and practicals as are prescribed by the Senate.
• Formative and Summative Assessment are closely integrated by means of a periodic review of the research process in meetings between the supervisor and the learner.