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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Laws 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
22414  Doctor of Laws 
ORIGINATOR
University of Zululand 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This is the highest legal qualification offered in academia. This involves a detailed study and research into a chosen topic in the field of law. The candidate must display knowledge of the chosen and allied field as well as make original contribution 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Candidates must have acquired LLM qualification or its equivalent and must have competency to do research in law 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. Demonstrate the capacity of further autonomous research and study at an advanced level

2. Identify, engage and deal with the complex legal issues and lacunae and or contradictions in the law pertaining to the law in the selected field of study

3. Demonstrate ability to autonomously integrate information gathered from both research and the work of others in the creation of responses that expand and or redefine existing knowledge in the law pertaining to the selected field of study

4. Experience and conduct full academic and professional communication with others in field of study

5. Make original and significant contribution to law in the selected field of study 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
1. In depth evaluation of learners knowledge and understanding the relevant principles, doctrines theories and conflicting options in relation thereto

2. Write research proposal and indicate that learners are able to identify a problem or problems in the application of a legal principles and formulate research problems and subsets of problems

3. Formulate hypothesis

4. Know, select and utilise research methods relevant to legal research and investigation into legal problems

5. Where applicable select and use appropriate data analysis methods and conduct fieldwork

6. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, analyse, formulate and interpret findings of an investigation

7. Create a new model, theory or principle that can be applied to solve the problem that is investigated

8. Identify and analyse different scientific procedures in terms of the problems being researched

9. Critically read, interpret and analyse literature from different sources

10. Search for additional literature and materials relevant to the identified research problems

11. Compare the writings of different authors on the same topic or related topics and identify aspects on which they hold different opinions

12. Sytemise and synthesise reading material on the topic being researched

13. Draw conclusions from different readings and indicate anomalies

14. Create a theoretical framework by the literature review

15. Compile a complete bibliography

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

17. Write thesis that is linguistically correct, acceptable and of a high standard

18. Write a thesis that is technically well presented and has an acceptable lay out

19. Should meet deadlines for submission of writings


INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT


The following methods shall be incorporated to achieve an integrated assessment contribution to the purpose of the qualification:

a) Oral test
b) Written test
c) Tasks or reports
d) Dissertation/thesis
e) Research presentation 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
This being the highest qualification, a candidate shall be able to proceed with further research at post Doctoral level, study independently and publish articles or books. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
External assessors as moderators or promoters with the appropriate assessor registration. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
The registered assessor must possess at least PhD or LLD qualification relevant to the legal field. 

REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

NOTES 
N/A 

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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. University of Zululand 


All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.