Top Law Degrees in South Africa 2019

The LLM programme is suitable for law graduates and legal professionals who are interested in research and writing and who have the time as well as the ability to undertake fairly extensive legal research at an advanced academic level. Because of the demanding nature of the research component, entry to the programme is limited to applicants with an excellent academic record in the LLB. However, there are alternative entry routes for applicants who are able to demonstrate their suitability for the programme.

The coursework component consists of four courses, which may be taken either in a specialized field or in the general field. The research component consists of an attendance course in Research Methodology, two research essays of 5 000 words each and a Research Report of 10 000 words.... [-]

Are you interested in the insurance industry and how it works in South Africa? Do you want to know how insurance products function in the financial services industry? Do you want to gain expert knowledge on specialized matters pertaining to insurance litigation?

Insurance is a grudge purchase and many South Africans only acquire this particular financial product as part of credit transactions. Other types of insurance products are often utilized by prudent consumers as part of a savings strategy. Be it as it may, there is a variety of insurance products available and these products are marketed and sold on a daily basis. In addition, it is inconceivable that any lawyer who practices commercial law should not have a well-founded knowledge of insurance law. Insurance as we know it has had an interesting development in South Africa and many legal systems influenced the insurance contract as we know it. Recent developments such as the introduction of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 2002 and the introduction of the so-called “Twin Peaks” system of financial regulation created a fairly complex legal framework for insurance and this has lead to tension in the industry. The challenge is therefore to gain knowledge of the legal framework, to identify the challenges that South African consumers face, to consider the Policyholder Protection Rules and other consumer protection measures and to evaluate the system by comparing it to other legal systems. Insurance is a powerful tool with which consumers may protect themselves against... [-]

The purpose of this qualification is to let a student demonstrate through research training an ability to master at an advanced level the current state of specialized knowledge on a given topic within a particular branch of the law and to provide a sound training in research methodologies.

General

i. The minimum entry requirement is an LLB degree (or equivalent qualification) at NQF level 7 or 8 and a minimum number of credits of 624. Candidates for admission to Master’s degrees, in general, need to have obtained their previous degree with an average mark of at least 65%.

ii. The relevant Head of Department may permit an applicant to register as a student for purposes of receiving guidance with and use the facilities of the University for, the preparation of a research proposal. This does not create an expectation that the student will be admitted to Master’s studies and such registration is provisional pending the approval of the admission of the student by the Board of the Faculty of Law. The Board of the Faculty of Law approves the admission of a student on the basis of the academic merit of the student, the research proposal submitted by the student and the ability of the Faculty to provide appropriate and continuous study guidance and supervision.... [-]

Tax laws have become increasingly complex in the last century. More and more anti-avoidance measures have recently been introduced to curb the effectiveness of tax avoidance structures, thus increasing the volumes of tax provisions applicable to day-to-day commercial transactions. The Master’s in Tax Law is a structured qualification intended to provide candidates with an in-depth understanding of the tax core as well as developing tax laws in South Africa and in the international community.

The minimum duration of this degree is two years and it is offered on a part-time basis. Classes or seminars in the taught modules are presented in the evenings on weekdays from 18h00 to 20h00 (one seminar per week per module). The next student intake will be in February 2018. In general, in order to be admitted, students must have attained an average of at least 65% for the law subjects in their LLB degree. In addition, an applicant’s mark for Tax Law at the undergraduate level will be taken into account.... [-]

The LLM in Labour Law (one year full-time or two years of part-time studies) provides students with an opportunity to develop their intellectual and theoretical competencies at an advanced level and to strengthen their ability to understand labor law from a viewpoint of critical analysis of the underlying principles.

Modules

The LLM in Labour Law consists of the following compulsory modules:

Are you interested in current affairs? Does the idea of studying international law in the most vibrant city in Africa appeal to you? Do you want to further your studies in a vibrant and dynamic field of the law?

In an increasingly globalized world, it is no longer sufficient to be familiar with the domestic law. Whether you are interested in the prosecution of war crimes or in global warming, the LLM in International Law offered by the Faculty of Law of the University of Johannesburg offers you a chance to specialize in fields of the law which are not only interesting but also increasingly useful and relevant. The one year course takes an interdisciplinary approach and assesses international legal questions from the perspective of international law as well as from a regional African perspective.... [-]

The LLM in International Commercial Law at the University of Johannesburg (the flagship programme of the Faculty of Law) is designed to be completed by full-time students within one year and by part-time students over two years. The programme consists of the modules International Commercial Law A, B, and C, as well as a minor dissertation on a topic in International Commercial Law. International Commercial Law A and B are offered during the first semester and International Commercial Law C during the second.

The LLM programme provides the student with an overview of the private-law aspects of international trade, with an emphasis on private international legal issues. The conflicts-orientation of the course indeed makes it unique and a wide comparative approach is taken in this regard, comprising legal systems in Africa, Australasia, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and North and South America, together with the relevant regional, supranational and international instruments in this field. Most lectures are offered by Prof Jan L Neels, distinguished professor of International Commercial Law and director of the Research Centre for Private International Law in Emerging Countries at the University of Johannesburg. Prof Neels was a member of the working group responsible for the drafting of the Hague Principles on Choice of Law in International Commercial Contracts and the official commentary on the Principles under the auspices of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. He is a member of the Governing Council of UNIDROIT in Rome. UJ has formal agreements in place... [-]

“The future of the nation depends in no small part on the efficiency of industry, and the efficiency of the industry depends in no small part on the protection of intellectual property.” Judge Richard Posner in Rockwell Graphic Systems, Inc. v. DEV Industries, 925 F.2d 174 (7th Cir. 1991)

The field of intellectual property (IP) reaches wide, and is probably the most dynamic field of law, as it constantly changes. What does it relate to? The nature of IP is best understood through a comparison with other, tangible, forms of property. One example is immovable property, such as a piece of land.

Other examples are things, such as a vehicle, a watch, or a soccer ball. In these instances, one has rights to the object itself. In other words, your rights would be infringed if the object is destroyed. The position with IP is different. An example might be a patent for a pair of night vision binoculars. The intellectual property rights of the patentee would not be infringed if the binoculars are destroyed. The reason for this is that it is the invention that is protected and not the binoculars. IP is, accordingly, that body of law that regulates the creation and utilization of immaterial property, and the enforcement of resultant rights. The objects of the various IP rights typically include patents, copyright, registered designs, and trademarks.... [-]

Are you interested in negotiating, drafting and executing contracts? Does the idea of studying contract law in South Africa’s vibrant commercial hub appeal to you? Do you want to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the drafting of contracts?

In a commercial atmosphere where more and more statutes propagate consumer rights and where plain language is becoming increasingly important, the drafter of modern-day contracts can no longer resort to the cutting and pasting of disjointed, archaic and even illegal phrases, thereby fudging together a contract. Rather, knowledge of current law pertaining to the drafting and interpretation of contracts and excellent language skills are the tools required by lawyers who negotiate and draft contracts. Indeed, practical as well as theoretical knowledge of drafting and interpretation of contracts are indispensable to practicing lawyers.... [-]

Recent substantive legislative reforms have led to increased demand for expertise in the field of corporate and securities law. An LLM in Corporate Law provides the ideal foundation for specializing in this popular focus area. UJ is unique in offering four dedicated corporate law modules.

The Master’s in Corporate Law can be completed in one year for full-time students and over two years for part-time students. It consists of a minor dissertation on a corporate law topic together with three taught modules as set out below:

Company Law (first semester)

This compulsory module, which anchors the LLM in Corporate Law, essentially deals with problematic aspects of corporate personality: the nature of legal personality and piercing the corporate veil; corporate capacity; corporate criminal liability; corporate social responsibility; corporate governance; directors’ duties and liability; shareholder protection; creditor protection; corporate groups and companies and the constitution. Specific aspects of the South African company law are considered against a conceptual or theoretical basis. This module is presented by Professor Kathleen van der Linde. Plus any two of the following:... [-]

Many large corporate and commercial transactions take place in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub. The UJ Law Faculty is thus well placed to offer a highly relevant LLM in Commercial Law, drawing students from leading commercial firms. The team of lecturers involved, combine intellectual leadership and cutting-edge practical insight which is reflected in their teaching.

The Master’s in Commercial Law is a flexible qualification allowing a wide choice of modules that can be combined according to the interests and focus of each student. It can be completed in one year for full-time students and over two years for part-time students.

This qualification consists of a minor dissertation on a commercial law topic together with three taught modules selected from the following:... [-]

This programme consists of a minor dissertation (60 credits) together with three compulsory taught modules (3x40 credits) namely:

(i) Banking Law (offered in the first semester): This module has a distinct private-law focus. The central concepts of money and payment are investigated by way of introduction. This is followed by a study of banks as payment intermediaries (in various methods of domestic and international payment), banks as guarantors (both independent and accessory), and banks as lenders. Finally, the module deals with bank liability arising from contract, delict or enrichment. Most of the lectures are led by Prof Charl Hugo who heads the University’s Centre for Banking Law. Guest lecturers are used occasionally due to their particular expertise.... [-]

DO YOU WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS BUILDING A TRANSFORMED SOUTH AFRICA WHICH RESPECTS AND PROTECTS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS? DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE? DO YOU WANT TO STUDY AT THE HISTORIC CONSTITUTION HILL, WHERE THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT IS LOCATED AT?

Register for the LLM on HUMAN RIGHTS at the UJ Faculty of Law which offers the following outstanding elements:

1) PROGRESSIVE: The LLM will examine the most current developments and academic writing on fundamental rights and seek to address the future of fundamental rights in South Africa and Africa.

2) GLOBAL: The LLM will examine fundamental rights in a global context, with consideration given to International Law as well as foreign case law.... [-]