During the ceremony on July 31, the dean of the faculty Prof Elsabe Schoeman, and deputy dean, Prof Charles Maimela gave recognition to the students who put in a lot of effort to achieve academic brilliance among the top-achieving undergraduates, who had an average of 75 percent. Students who meet the qualifications to be listed on the Dean's Merit List are recognised for their exceptional academic success throughout the year and are featured on the faculty website each year. 

The Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria is dedicated to helping our students succeed academically and to acknowledging their accomplishments both during and after their studies. Students who obtained exceptional academic outcomes in their LLB studies are commended for their dedication and hard work ahead of each graduation ceremony.

The Dean of the Faculty awards certificates to students who meet the requirements to be on the list, recognizing their accomplishment. A student at the faculty of law must pass every module as outlined in the published curriculum for that particular year of study in order to be considered for inclusion in the Dean's Merit List. A minimum weighted average of 75% (not rounded) must be obtained by an enrolled students, accross all years of study. Recipients of the Dean's Merit List are recognised for their sustained academic success. A student's above-average academic achievement serves as the basis for nomination to the Dean's Merit List (DML). 

Professor Elsabe Schoeman, gave a keynote speech during which she complimented students on their accomplishments while cautioning them to maintain a constant state of alertness. The Dean emphasized that students' success will raise the profile of the Faculty and the University and make it more appealing for prospective students to pick UP Law as their legal education program. It is possible to establish international collaborations to expose our students to international possibilities, like the Leiden International Exchange, when an institution or faculty has established itself as a leader and is revered by others, she said. It also helps in developing industry relations with the government, law firms, regulatory agencies, neighborhood associations, and other relevant organizations with an interest in advancing legal study and research. Additionally, it gives collaborators the confidence to build enduring relationships with the academics. Prof. Schoeman also emphasized that "you need to plan for the race, move at your own pace, and determine your own victory" since "success is like a marathon."

From the 2023 final year students, Ms. Daniella Maia de Figueiredo, Ms. Bethany Foxton, and Ms. Ruvarashe Tendai Hwengwere were chosen as the best overall students for the 2024 deans merit list. Congratulations on their outstanding success and the effort they put forth to guarantee top-notch outcomes all around. This year, the merit list included sixty first-year students, twenty-six second-year students, three third-year students, and eighty final-year students.

Prof. Charles Maimela, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty, emphasized in his closing remarks that UP Law is committed to producing students who are committed to producing human-centered, equitable legal practitioners who will have an impact on society locally, regionally, and worldwide.