SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Laws in Corporate Law 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73993  Master of Laws in Corporate Law 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  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 
The purpose of the four taught modules is to develop the learner's intellectual and theoretical competencies at an advanced level, and to strengthen his/her ability to understand the law of partnership and business trusts as well as corporate law from the viewpoint of a critical analysis of the underlying principles and a comparative of the application value of information. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The learner will be able to demonstrate his/her ability to reason critically and solve problems theoretically and practically, as well as to identify, interpret and evaluate the essence of relationships between theory and practice.

By successfully completing the dissertation, the learner will furnish proof that s/he is capable of giving a scientific account of and apply the knowledge in the area of the law of partnership and business trusts as well as corporate law that s/he has gained through literature study. This the learner will be able to demonstrate the ability to define the topic, arrange the subject-matter coherently, accurately and succinctly formulate, interpret and reflecting scholarly opinion on the topic, identify particular problem areas and develop a clear line of argument by means of analysis and interpretation. This ability will be invaluable in further research, for example for the purposes of obtaining further postgraduate qualifications, as well as in practice of corporate law at a high level.

The minimum entry requirement is a LLB degree (or equivalent qualification). A student can gain entry at the beginning of certain modules, and may receive credit for any successfully completed module.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING:

Students who do not meet the normal admission requirements for the qualification may apply for recognition of prior learning and for admission on the basis thereof. Prior learning can include prior qualifications, other prior formal, informal and non-formal learning as well as relevant work experience. If admission is granted, students must undertake to comply with all the conditions that may be set with a view to promoting successful studies.

Through recognition of prior learning a learner can gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status on condition that s/he continues his/her studies at this university.

Recognition of prior learning in the case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the University concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. For this post-graduate qualification, recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification.

Recognition of prior learning by the Faculty takes place in terms of an assessment procedure. This procedure includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee, which takes the final decision. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The learners should be able to:

1. Problem solving skills
Learners will be able to identify, analyse, comment on and solve advanced problems in the field of the law of partnerships and business trusts as well as company law and close corporations law.

2. Team ship
Learners should be able to work in a team or group and reflect on and integrate their own participation.

3. Self-responsibility skills
The primary key to obtaining a masters degree by course work is indeed self-responsibility. Therefore, successful learners will have to be able to demonstrate an ability for self-reflection, independent assessment, analysis, and interpretation, self-study, self-discipline, initiative, and the ability to plan, organise, manage and execute the research and writing of the dissertation responsibly and effectively.

4. Research skills
Learners will be able to demonstrate their ability to plan and conduct advanced research, and be capable of giving a scientific account of and apply the knowledge in the area of the law of partnership and business trusts as well as company law and close corporations law hat s/he has gained through the study of literature.

5. Communication skills
Communication and communication skills, both orally and in writing, are keys to the effective practice of the law at an advanced level and to high-level research. Learners should therefore be able to demonstrate their ability to communicate their knowledge effectively, both orally and in writing,

6. Technological and environmental literacy
Learners should be able to demonstrate the ability to utilise science and technology effectively in the course of the study, research and writing required for the qualification.

7. Developing macro vision
Learners must be able to show their ability to comprehend the interrelationship between the law and other fields and with society in general, and in particular those involving the law of partnership and business trusts as well as corporate law.

8. Learning skills
Learners must be able to demonstrate their ability to independently and innovatively undertake high-level research and reflective studies.

9. Citizenship
Learners must be able to demonstrate an awareness and knowledge of responsibilities of business and stakeholder in businesses in society, thereby enhancing their social responsibility as citizens.

10. Cultural and aesthetic understanding
Learners must be able to demonstrate a well-developed sensitivity for cultural and aesthetic realities in society.

11. Employment seeking skills
Learners should be able to access advanced employment opportunities, particularly in the fields of law partnership and business trusts as well as company law and close corporations law.


12. Entrepreneurship
Learners should be able to demonstrate the application of entrepreneurial skills in the practice of law at an advanced level, and in the undertaking of high-level research in the fields of the law of partnerships and business trusts as well as company law and close corporations law. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Can the learners:

1. Demonstrate, in written or oral form, an ability to identify, analyse and solve high-level legal problems.

Solve relevant legal problems by skillfully identifying, analysing, and commenting on it.

2. Demonstrate the ability to participate effectively in debating solutions and approaches to particular legal problems.

3. Undertake independent research and writing at an advanced level.

Analyse related legal problems and their solutions independently.

4. Display an ability to conduct a high-level research project successfully.

Define a particular related topic, arrange the subject-matter coherently, accurately and succinctly reflect, formulate and interpret scholarly opinion on the topic.

Identify particular problem areas and develop a clear line of argument by means of analysis and interpretation.

5. Advise clients on the legal implications of and on solutions for particular legal problems and questions relating to partnerships, business trusts, companies and close corporations.
  • Write a report in which a particular related problem is identified, analysed, and discussed.

    6. Make use of written and electronic data in writing a report/assignment and dissertation.

    7. Debate the impact of certain problems relating to partnerships, business trusts, companies and close corporations on society.

    8. Undertake advanced research and write a dissertation on an applicable topic on the field of the law of partnership and business trusts, company law or close corporations law.

    9. Debate the impact on society in general and on certain interest groups in particular, of related legal provisions and principle.

    10. Reveal an ability to distil moral and cultural values I respect of the role and function of business entities in society.

    11. Display an awareness as to how the qualification can be utilised to access the labour market.

    12. Display an ability to develop and maintain a career that is enhanced by the level of knowledge and expertise in the fields of the law of partnerships and business trusts as well as company law and close corporations law.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT APPROPRIATELY INCORPORATED TO ENSURE THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE QUALIFICATION IS ACHIEVED:
    Assessment seeks (1) evaluate learner performance in order to determine whether learners comply with assessment criteria; and (2) encourage and guide the improvement of learner performance. Assessment is therefore based on the principle of continuous and regular assessment and complete and prompt feedback. Assessment consists of two components, formative assessment and summative assessment.

    FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICES THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
  • Formative assessment is aimed at the development of a life-long learning culture based on continuous self-study. More particularly, in this qualification, formative assessment aims at the preparation of learners for an examination at the end of each module and for writing a quality dissertation or offering a quality seminar programme. Formative assessment is conducted by class discussions and the writing of the dissertation.
  • Regular meetings between learners and their study leaders take place during which all aspects pertaining to the preparation for and drafting of the research dissertation (or the presentation of the seminar programme) are discussed. Study leaders assess learners continuously and, equally important, guide them through the process.

    SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICES THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
    Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of:

    Both the examinations at the end of each module and in the dissertation, learners are assessed on their ability to integrate prior knowledge gained in preceding studies with a deeper, high-level knowledge of relevant topics dealt with in the course of the qualification, and of the research topic gained from the research into the topic and from the scholarly writing thereon. The purpose is to demonstrate a reflective and scholarly understanding of the relevant law and of the research topic. In conjunction with formative assessment, summative assessment determines whether the learner is awarded the qualification. In the summative assessment, the four modular examinations and the final dissertation as submitted are examined by a panel of not less than two Examiners (see also par. 10- Criteria for the registration of assessors). The qualification is obtained if the learner passes all four modular examinations and the dissertation or seminar programme.

    As a further demonstration of the learner's ability in this regard, the learner may be required to submit a publishable article based on the dissertation which may, at the discretion of the study leader, be submitted for publication in a law journal under the name of the learner or the names of both the learner and the study leader, depending on the level of guidance and input provided by the study leader. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    ACCESS TO QUALIFICATIONS ON A LOWER LEVEL;
    A student can gain entry at the beginning of certain of the five modules, and may receive credit for any successfully completed module. It is therefore, in principle possible for learners to enter the qualification in mid-stream. Any relevant "credit:" obtained elsewhere may impact on the number of outstanding modules to be completed. It is also possible to exit the qualification at a lower level by obtaining an endorsed Post-Graduate Diploma in Corporate Law after successful completion of the four taught semesters. In the event that the Post-Graduate Diploma in Corporate Law has been awarded, it is not possible to obtain the LLM in Corporate Law as well.


    ACCESS TO QUALIFICATIONS ON THE SAME LEVEL:
    Learners may exit the course in mid-stream by changing to the LLM degree by dissertation. In the event of changing to the LLM degree by dissertation, course work modules completed successfully may serve to credit the learner with exemption from the requirement to do the oral examination for purposes of the LLM degree by dissertation.

    ACCESS TO QUALIFICATIONS ON A HIGHER LEVEL:
    It is possible for learners to exit the qualification in mid-stream to elevate their research to doctoral level, enabling them to register for the LLD degree. Generally, the qualification enables learners to qualify for doctoral studies, nationally and internationally. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation to ensure fair, reliable and valid assessment is essential.
    The following mechanisms are employed:
  • Criteria for study material, tests and examinations are imposed by the University and Faculty Board.
  • No supplementary examination is granted in a semester module. The subject lecturer may, however, exercise his/her discretion in calling a student for a re-evaluation when a student requires only one course to complete the qualification (dissertation or seminar excluded).
  • Moderation of results by the Dean/Dean's Committee.
  • Global assessment and moderation by the Faculty examination committee
  • Appeals to the relevant Dean by individual learners. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All internal and external assessors (moderators and examiners) will be required to:
  • Have specialised knowledge in the relevant branch of the law
  • Have the ability to assess learners at this level;
  • Be nominated by the Faculty of Law for this purpose and registered with the appropriate ETQA, requiring them to comply with the other criteria imposed by the relevant SGB. 
    		•

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

    NOTES 
    Old qualification. 

    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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.