Master of Laws

The programme aims to enhance the basic knowledge and skills of entry-level lawyers in specialised areas, by providing an opportunity for law graduates to tailor their basic qualifications to a rapidly changing world work. The degree provides training in research methods to equip the candidate with the skills necessary either for employment in a variety of fields or for further independent research for the degree of Ph D in the same or a related subject area. It is not essential that the dissertation submitted by the candidate constitute a distinct contribution to knowledge on the subject, nor that the research project(s) undertaken necessarily be original.

Minimum entrance requirements: A Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB or BProc), having achieved a good average academic standard throughout. Practical experience as a lawyer my be relevant, and can in rare instances provide the sole basis for admission as a candidate for the degree

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification

First degree

LLB or BProc

a). Critical cross-field outcomes (generic to all teaching and learning)

The Masters graduate is able to

1. Demonstrate mastery to depth of a theoretically sophisticated subject matter.
2. Is equipped with proficiency in research methodology sufficient to proceed to a Ph.D. Graduates have mastered the skills of critical thinking, problem solving, collection and analysis of data and effective professional written and oral communication.

b). General outcomes (contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the programme)

The Masters graduate is able to

1. Conduct independent research in the discipline.
2. Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences.
3. Apply in-depth and specialised disciplinary knowledge and research skills to discipline-based problems.
4. Analyse and critique communications of an academic and popular nature.
5. Appreciate the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
6. Understand the processes whereby knowledge in Law is constructed.

c). Specific outcomes (including professional outcomes contextually demonstrated)

The Masters graduate will be

1. Familiar with contemporary philosophical and theoretical issues in law.
2. Able to apply a range of advanced research methods to legal research problems.
3. Able to conduct advanced literature searches to inform reviews of specialised literature.
4. Able to prepare professional papers for review.
5. Able to write reports for a variety of clients and stakeholders.
6. Able to debate complex legal issues orally and in writing.
7. Able, depending on the particular field of focus in the courses selected, to develop specialised knowledge in a critical and comparative manner.

a). The achievement of these outcomes is assessed through the integrated assessment of the programme

b). The achievement of these outcomes is assessed by means of a series of oral and written assessments throughout the programme

c). The outcomes are assessed as follows

1. The completion of term papers and any written or oral examinations required in all competence areas listed.
2. The completion of a research dissertation that includes the components listed under the integrated assessment.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The integrated assessment consists of written papers in four approved courses or the equivalent, and completion of a research dissertation of 20 000 words under supervision on a subject approved by Senate which must be in a subject of legal interest related to one of the approved courses.

The rules provide for an oral or written examination on the subject matter of any approved course taken by a student.

External examiners are appointed for every paper written to examine any work submitted as part of coursework and to examine the required dissertation.

The required dissertation must demonstrate competence in the following areas, all of which are assessed in the examination of the dissertation:

1. Precise research problem formulation
2. Familiarity with and integration of the specialised literature that informs the research question
3. Appropriate design and execution of the research
4. Use of appropriate methods of analysis
5. Integration of findings
6. Ability to address the ethical problems that might attend the research
7. Appreciation of the methodological limitations of the study
8. Use of the publication and style conventions of the discipline.

The faculty Board considers the recommendations of the external examiner and decides whether to award the degree and whether to award it with distinction.