Doctor of Laws

1. To enable learners to pursue specialised areas of their choice, in the field of law and to obtain specialised knowledge in such field at a Postgraduate level.
2. To provide South Africa and the legal profession with:

• Competent specialists in a particular field of law;
• Academic lawyers/scholars/researchers of quality.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Laws, NQF Level 9.

1. Learners must display a detailed expert knowledge and understanding of the South African Law, as well as a basic comparative knowledge of other legal systems in the selected field of research.
2. Learners must demonstrate the capacity/ability to design conduct and write up research that is original, relevant and contribute to the knowledge and insight into the field of study and can respectively stand alongside refereed and published research in the same field and practical application in the social context.
3. Learners must demonstrate an understanding of the scientific procedures and an ability to cope with research techniques.
4. Learners must demonstrate an understanding of the literature related to the research problem.
5. Learners must demonstrate the ability to write a dissertation that is linguistically acceptable.
6. The Learner must be able to organise and manage his/her activities responsibly and effectively.

1. In depth evaluation of learner's knowledge and understanding of the relevant principles, doctrines theories and conflicting opinions in relation thereto.
2. Write research proposals and indicate if the learners are able to identify a problem or problems in the application of a legal principle or principles, formulate research problems and subsets of problems and suggest possible solutions to the problem

• Formulate hypotheses;
• Know, select and utilise research instruments and research methods relevant to legal research and investigation into legal problems;
• Where applicable, select and use appropriate data analysis methods and conduct field work;
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, analyse and interpret findings of an investigation and formulate findings;
• Create a new model, theory or new principles that can be applied to solve the problem that is investigated.

1. Identify and analyse different scientific procedures in terms of the problems being researched.
2. Critically read, interpret and analyse literature from different sources,

• Search for additional literature and materials relevant to the identified research problem,
• Compare the writings of different authors on the same topic or related topics and identify aspects on which they agree and on which they hold different opinions,
• Systematise and synthesise reading material on the topic being researched,
• Draw conclusions from different readings and indicate anomalies,
• Create a theoretical framework by the literature review,
• Compile a complete bibliography

1. Write a thesis that shows that a learner can express him/herself clearly,

• Write a thesis that is linguistically correct, acceptable and of a high standard,
• Write a dissertation that is technically well presented and has an acceptable lay out,
• Should meet deadlines for submission of writings.

Integrated Assessment Procedures To Ensure That The Purpose For The Qualification Is Achieved

An integrated assessment will be applied at the exit level to assess

• Process
• Substance/knowledge
• Skills
• Values

Any one or combination of more than one of the following will be used to achieve an integrated assessment.

Formative Assessment

• Written/oral/examination;
• Self assessment;
• Peer review;
• Thesis.

Summative Assessment

• Thesis.