SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Bachelor of Laws

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
117873	Bachelor of Laws
ORIGINATOR
Stadio (Pty) Ltd
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)	Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security		Justice in Society
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	240	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Registered"		SAQA 1141/23	2020-09-29	2024-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30		2031-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification replaces:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
111055	Bachelor of Laws	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	240	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
Learners wishing to be involved in the field of law will have access to this qualification. It also serves as the entry qualification into the Master's Degree in Law and promotes the development of knowledge and skills that are required of jurists, releasing the full potential of people and providing opportunities for upward mobility in the workplace. In terms of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework Policy, p 42, Permitted Exceptions, and Advanced Bachelor's Degrees: In certain disciplines and fields an advanced Bachelor's Degree such as an LLB may follow on a first undergraduate degree. In such cases, the advanced Bachelor's Degree may be curriculated so that it consists of a minimum of 240 credits and provides the necessary preparation for Master's level study as well as the development of research capacity in the methodology and techniques of the discipline. This qualification at NQF Level 8 follows-up a Bachelor of Arts in Law Degree at NQF Level 7.

The purpose of this qualification is:

To promote the development of knowledge and skills that are required in all sub-sectors of the field of law.

To produce learners with the knowledge and appreciation of the values and principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

To promote a critical understanding of theories, concepts, ethics, perspectives, methodologies and procedures of the discipline of law.

To endorse the ability to apply the acquired knowledge appropriately to academic, professional and career contexts.

To enable learners to take the responsibility and be accountable for applying the law in academic, professional and societal contexts.

To release the potential of people.

To provide opportunities for upward mobility and between the different sectors of the law as well as the different sectors of the economy if pursuing a career in the commercial environment.

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) should produce knowledgeable, intellectually skilled and critically thinking individuals who are able to contribute to improved productivity and efficiency within the legal environment. It should provide the means for current individuals in the field of law to receive Recognition of Prior Learning and to upgrade their skills and knowledge base. The qualification is structured in such a way that it exposes individuals to a set of core competences to provide a broad understanding of principles to be implemented in the law and society in general and electives, which will allow for a specific competence in the field of law. It will also promote the notion of lifelong learning.

Flexibility is provided with a choice of electives such as Information Technology Law, Environmental Law, International Law, Insolvency Law, Tax Law, Law of Banking and Financial Institutions and Law of Unjustified Enrichment, in order for graduates to specialise in specific fields of the law.

Recognising that although South Africa has made important strides in creating a transformed society, it is important to ensure a robust and transformed legal profession in order to safeguard the Constitution and the values enshrined therein. In light of this, there is a crucial need to ensure aptitude and competency in the legal profession in order to protect the Constitution and the South Africa it envisages. This Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree will provide an opportunity to give learners the opportunity to understand the knowledge required to achieve this aim and to instil competencies and ideals critical for a vibrant and dynamic legal profession.

Rationale:
This qualification recognises the skills and knowledge expected of stakeholders or individuals seeking positions in the law environment. The qualification is designed to equip learners for the demands of the legal and academic environments in democratic South Africa, as well as taking responsibility in relevant societal contexts.

The qualification is aimed at producing competent, skilled and dynamic legal learners, equipped with a firm knowledge and understanding of the relevant legal principles. Learners with this qualification may therefore become legal advisors, prosecutors, attorneys, advocates, magistrates and judges. Qualifying learners will also be able to take up posts in the commercial environment as legal advisors, company secretaries and Chief Executive Officer (CEOs). Learners will be able to utilise their knowledge when embarking on a journey of entrepreneurship. The flexible structure of the qualification enables individuals and legal bodies to assist to select outcomes that meet the diverse roles and contexts required by the profession.

The qualification will allow those in formal education and those already employed in organisations access due to its flexibility. It aims to develop individuals who are informed and skilled in the principals of law.

The qualification addresses the skills, methodologies and techniques required to practise as jurists, according to the following bodies:

The Law Society of South Africa.

The General Council of the Bar of South Africa.

The National Council of the Bar South Africa.

The National Forum of Advocates.

The Advocates for Transformation.

The South African Legal Practice Council.

The alignment with a variety of professional bodies is currently, and will in future be a continuous process to ensure that qualifying learners are able to register with the relevant professional bodies. The guidelines of relevant Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and registered unit standards are incorporated.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Where learners have not met the requirements for admission, they must first complete a bridging phase by acquiring the specific subjects before they can embark on this qualification.

Learners with Bachelor Degrees older than 10 years may also apply for admission to the qualification and such requests could be handled in the following manner:

Learners must apply to institution by submitting a Curriculum Vitae (CV), providing evidence including references that they have been employed in the selected subject direction during the past 10 years (or longer), thus having kept abreast with developments in the field. These CVs will then have to be evaluated by the institution for registration.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor of Commerce Law Degree, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7, 360 Credits.
Or

First Degree in the field of law, NQF Level 7, 360 Credits.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 255 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 240 Credits:

Constitutional Law, 15 Credits.

Criminal Law, 15 Credits.

Civil Procedure Law, 15 Credits.

Jurisprudence in an African Context, 15 Credits.

African Customary Law, 15 Credits.

African Human Rights Law, 15 Credits.

Mercantile Law, 15 Credits.

Criminal Procedure Law, 15 Credits.

Administrative Justice, 15 Credits.

Law of Damages, 15 Credits.

Social Justice, 15 Credits.

Research Methodology,

Mercantile Law, 15 Credits.

Research Essay on Restorative Justice, 30 Credits.

Law of Evidence, 15 Credits.

Electives choose one:

Information Technology Law, 15 Credits.

Environmental Law, 15 Credits.

International Law, 15 Credits.

Insolvency Law, 15 Credits.

Law of Banking and Financial Institutions, 15 Credits.

Tax Law, 15 Credits.

Law of Unjustified Enrichment, 15 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply the knowledge base, theory, methodology of discipline and application relevant to the field.
2. Implement the values and principles of law as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical reasoning as required in the law profession.
4. Apply the law accurately in a range of environments including professional and career contexts.
5. Act as responsible South African and global citizens.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across Exit level Outcomes:

Demonstrate knowledge of the historical and general background law.

Apply the definitions of various concepts pertaining to law.

Interpret and apply the South African bill of rights in order to protect persons and institutions.

Interpret and apply the principles and knowledge of criminal law in order to protect persons and society from criminal behaviour.

Apply detailed knowledge and understanding of specific crimes.

Interpret and apply the principles and knowledge of civil procedure law in order to ensure sound legal practices and to represent clients successfully.

Apply detailed knowledge of specific procedures in specific courts.

Interpret and apply the principles and knowledge of Jurisprudence in order to implement and practice these principles in specifically the African context.

Apply detailed knowledge the theories of African customary law and justice to the betterment of society in general.

Apply detailed knowledge of the theories of African human rights law to the betterment of society in general.

Apply detailed knowledge and understanding of the topics relating to mercantile law and justice to the betterment of society in general.

Interpret and apply the principles and knowledge of criminal procedure law in order to protect persons and society from criminals abusing the criminal procedure law.

Apply detailed knowledge of the theories and topics of administrative justice to the betterment of society in general.
> Apply detailed knowledge of the theories and topics of law of damages to the betterment of society in general.

Apply detailed knowledge and understanding of the theories and topics of social justice to the betterment of society in general.

Write a research proposal.

Analyse, synthesise and apply detailed knowledge and understanding of the topics relating to mercantile law and justice to the betterment of society in general.

Analyse, synthesise and apply detailed knowledge and understanding of specific principles of restorative justice.

Interpret and apply knowledge of law of evidence in order to protect persons and society from criminal behaviour.

Interpret and apply the principles of informational technology law in order to protect persons and institutions.

Integrated Assessment:
Assessments include papers on theoretical and research publications in the field of law. Formative Assessments include the preparation of extended papers written under supervision.

The learner's achievement of general qualification outcomes is assessed through a range of formative and summative assessments throughout the course. Assessments include theoretical papers, practical reports and research projects. Formative Assessments include the preparation of extended papers written under supervision and summative assessments mainly take the form of a research article to be produced.

Continuous assessment should be provided through:

Articles.

Simulations.

Practical workbooks.

Written assignments.

Written tests.

Case studies and case presentations.

Face to face contact with learners.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

International comparability was researched and the qualifications of the McGill University in Canada as well as Sydney University in Australia were scrutinised.

Bachelor of Laws is compared with similar qualifications amongst institutions such as:

Monash University, Australia.

University of Southern Queensland (USQ), Australia.

AUT University, New Zealand.

The research illustrated that this qualification is comparable with what is offered internationally. The subjects Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Research Methodology as well as Law of Evidence are also prominent internationally. This qualification is unique as it specifically takes into the African context. Internationally the trend is that a degree of four years is the minimum requirement to enter into the legal profession.

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a well-known and widely available international qualification. It is generally a two-year qualification. Most of these qualifications are very flexible in their choice of modules or subjects, presumably as a result of the broad field of law that needs to be addressed to develop general skills and competencies in law. Almost all of the Bachelor of Laws Degrees that were researched nationally, cover the important functions as covered in this Degree.

The research has shown that the degree compares with the international qualifications as it empowers learners with general knowledge of the practice of principles of the law, a good understanding of the common law and a thorough knowledge of research methods and the interpretation of acts. Research has also shown that a learner of this D egree will be able to gain access to international qualifications and acquire knowledge about specific interpretations of fields of law and the regulations as practised in those specific countries.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning Law, Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law, Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Laws, Level 9.

Master of Business Administration, Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

This qualification is now offered by Stadio (Pty) Ltd, and no longer by Southern Business School - effective 29 September 2020

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	Stadio (Pty) Ltd