Doctor of Laws in Private Law

You must have attained one of the undermentioned to apply to read for a doctoral degree in law. Senate will consider every application on merit.
An LLM degree preceded by an appropriate undergraduate law qualification; or

An LLB degree conferred by this University, or any other bachelor’s degree in law (excluding the BProc and BIuris degrees) approved for this purpose by the Senate, and relevant academic or professional experience; or

In exceptional circumstances, a level of proficiency or accomplishment in law which, in the judgement of Senate, is regarded as adequate for this purpose.

Additional requirements to apply to read for a doctoral degree in law
You must indicate sufficient potential to pursue doctoral studies successfully.

In this regard:
You must have passed the final year of the LLM (or where relevant the LLB or other bachelor’s degree in law) with an average of at least 65% (or its international equivalent); or

You may request and obtain a recommendation from a potential supervisor that the requirement of a minimum mark of 65% be waived. For such a request to be considered, you must submit an overview of no more than 600 words of the envisaged study, and a sample of previous research of approximately 2 000 words to your potential supervisor. Your potential supervisor must confirm that they have the necessary capacity to perform the function of supervisor. Your potential supervisor must motivate in writing and recommend the waiver to the Research Committee for approval.

Confirmation of prospective supervisor
Applicants must make contact with a prospective academic supervisor who is active in their field of research interest. Please provide details of a prospective supervisor and evidence, in a form of an email, of contact with this supervisor. Upload the email evidence (in a .msg format or as a pdf) as part of your formal application to the University.

Document placeholder name on application portal:
Confirmation of prospective supervisor

The LLD degree will be awarded to you if you:
Have been registered at the University as a doctoral student in law for at least two years; and

Have conducted an approved period of research of at least two years at this University or at some other institution approved by the Senate; and

Have presented for assessment a doctoral dissertation of an acceptable standard and have completed any additional research required by your promoter; and

Have successfully conducted yourself in an oral examination, except if exemption from such oral examination was granted.