Course Synopses

L181-6              Legal Methods and Systems

Definition, nature and functions of law; sources of law; the reception of Cape Colonial Law; history and characteristics of Roman-Dutch law sources and application of customary law, the court structure, theories and techniques of handling authoritative legal materials; legal research, legal writing and legal reasoning.

L286-3             Statutory Interpretation

Types of statutes; commencement, amendment and repeal of statutes; interpretation by the legislature; principles of interpretation, role of courts in interpretation; internal and external aids to interpretation and presumptions in interpretation.

L383-6             Criminal Procedure

The importance of procedure in the criminal process; courts and their jurisdictions; private and public prosecutions; arrest, search and seizure; bail; inquest and preparatory examination; indictments and charges; arraignment and pleas; trials; reviews and appeals; punishment and sentencing.

L384-6             Evidence

Nature and classification of evidence; admissibility; relevance and admissibility; judicial discretion to exclude admissible evidence; similar fact evidence; evidence of disposition; character and previous convictions; opinion evidence; privilege; estoppel; the rule against hearsay evidence in criminal cases and its exceptions; hearsay in civil cases. The burden and standards of proof; corroboration; facts which need not be proved by evidence; judicial notice, formal admissions and presumptions; oral testimony; competence and compellability of witnesses; examination of witnesses; documentary evidence (including tape recording, films, etc.); public and private documents; proof of the contents of public documents; proof of contents and execution of private documents; admissibility of parole evidence affecting the contents of documents.

L386-3             Accounting for Lawyers

An introduction to accounting including the preparation of accounts for legal practitioners; the statutory rules governing the keeping of trust accounts; preparation of partnership and company accounts, and of states of affairs in insolvency and company liquidations.

L387-3             Succession and Administration of Estates

Testate and intestate inheritance at common law; the making of wills; devolution of property; the administration and distribution of estates; the appointment, duties and liabilities of executors, tutors and curators.

L481-6              Civil Procedure

Courts and their jurisdiction; actions and pleadings in all courts; applications; exceptions, defence and special pleas; pre-trial procedures; special cases and adjudication on points of law; provisional sentence, summary and default judgements; execution and rescission of judgements; appeals and reviews.

L485-6             Practical Legal Training

Development of legal skills through practical exercises including techniques of client and witness interviews; client counselling; negotiation skills; advocacy skills; moots; drafting of legal documents, legal ethics and office management.

L584-6             Clinical Legal Education

Tuition by way of lectures in legal aid, clinical seminars, participation in the legal aid clinic and attachment programme.

L597-3             Conveyancing and Notarial Practice

Administration of land law; deeds registration; conveyance of immovable property; leases; prospecting and mining rights; mortgages; notarial bonds; antenuptial contracts; rules of conduct and practice for notaries; authentication of documents; foreign documents.