Yearbooks

Program: LLM International Law (Coursework)

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Code Faculty Department
04252008 Faculty of Law Department: Public Law
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 2 jaar Totale krediete: 200 NQF level:  09

Programinligting

Closing date for applications: SA applicants – 30 September; non-SA applicants – 31 August.

A limited number of approximately between 10 and 25 students are selected per year according to the general selection guidelines. 
In addition to the general admission requirements, the following specific selection criteria are used in combination to select the eligible students:

  1. a demonstrated professional, academic and personal interest in and commitment to international air, space and telecommunications law;
  2. an indication that the applicant would be likely to put the qualification to good use in his or her future career, preferably in his or her country of origin (the ‘multiplier effect’);
  3. geographic representation (in the sense that an overrepresentation of students from a particular African country will be avoided, given the pan-African scope and ambitions of the programme);
  4. gender representation (in the sense that an equitable balance between women and men is sought);
  5. equitable representation of persons from vulnerable communities (such as persons with disabilities, persons belonging to indigenous communities and LGBTI persons).

Also refer to the Postgraduate Brochure for the complete study programme as well as the Postgraduate administrative processes after registration.

The curriculum will generally consist of:

  • Three modules counting 30 credits each (at least one of these modules must be completed during the first year of registration).
  • A module in research methodology (RHP 801 - 5 credits) (this module must be completed during the first year of registration).
  • A research proposal (RHP 803 - 5 credits). The student must submit the research proposal to the supervisor no later than the end of the first semester of the second year of registration for the degree, prior to commencing with the writing of the mini-dissertation. This period may be extended with the approval of the relevant head of department.
  • A mini-dissertation. The mini-dissertation must deal with the subject content of one of the modules or a combination of the modules registered for by the student for his/her LLM/MPhil degree. Any request for an extension of the period for submission of the mini-dissertation may only be granted by the Postgraduate Committee on recommendation of the relevant head of department.

Admission requirements

  1. LLB degree or BProc degree or relevant degree from a foreign university that allows entrance to the formal legal profession
  2. A weighted average of at least 65% at final-year level
  3. An average of at least 65% for Public International Law at bachelor’s level

Other programme-specific information

Mini-dissertation

  • The mini-dissertation must comprise 13 000 – 15 000 words – including footnotes but excluding the list of contents and the bibliography.
  • The examination copies of the mini-dissertation, to send out to the external examiners, must be submitted to Student Administration not later than the end of October for the Autumn Graduation Ceremony, end of April for the Spring Graduation Ceremony. A final electronic version must be submitted to Student Administration on or before 15 February for the Autumn Graduation Ceremony, 15 July for the Spring Graduation Ceremony after the evaluation of the examination copies of the mini-dissertation to comply with degree requirements.

Examinations and pass requirements

In the event of having failed all modules during a particular year of study, a student will only be allowed to continue with his/her studies with the consent of the Postgraduate Committee.

Although no supplementary examination will be granted with regard to LLM and MPhil modules, the General Regulations and rules apply with regard to special and ancillary examinations.

Research information

The relevant head of department must recommend a supervisor and title for a mini-dissertation and these must be approved by the Postgraduate Committee. The mini-dissertation must be assessed and finalised as set out in the Faculty Board-approved LLM/MPhil Policy Document of the Faculty.

Mini-dissertations, where required, must be submitted in the format determined by the supervisor and approved by the Postgraduate Committee. The supervisor may likewise, subject to the approval of the Postgraduate Committee, also determine the research topic and the scope of the proposed research. (Refer to the Faculty of Law regulations regarding mini-dissertations and also Postgraduate administrative processes brochure for the Faculty)

Pass with distinction

For the degree to be awarded with distinction a student must obtain an average of at least 75% for all the coursework modules, as well as a minimum of 75% for the mini-dissertation. The modules must have been written for the first time.

General information

Period of registration
The duration of the programme will in general be four semesters (2 years) but may be completed within two semesters (1 year) where possible, subject to fulfilment of all the requirements for the degree and payment of the full amount prescribed for the LLM degree. Programmes may also be structured to allow for one year of study only. The one- or two-year period may only be extended by the Postgraduate Committee on recommendation of the relevant head of department based on good reason shown and if it is clear that the student will be able to complete the programme in a further year of study.

Limiting of modules on offer in a particular academic year and availability to foreign students
The Dean determines which modules will be presented each year, taking into consideration the availability of lecturing personnel, space and financial implications and/or other circumstances. The Dean may, on recommendation of the relevant head of department, determine the maximum number of registrations for a specific elective module in terms of the prescribed guidelines. The Dean may also, on recommendation of the relevant head of department, determine that a particular LLM module will not be offered where on the first day of lectures four or fewer students are registered for such module.

Re-registration for modules
A student may not register more than twice for the same module. In order to pass a module the student must obtain a final mark of 50%.

Core modules

  • Module-inhoud:

    The topics covered include:

    1. International humanitarian law
    2. Use of force
    3. Terrorism
    4. Humanitarian intervention
    5. Extradition
    6. Diplomatic law

    Sien meer

  • Module-inhoud:

    1. A general introduction to international criminal law; key concepts and basic definitions of international criminal law and international criminal jurisdiction
    2. The origin of the International Criminal Court and the implementation of the Statute of the International Criminal Court in South African law
    3. Participation in international crimes and defences against international criminal liability
    4. The move from state liability to individual liability in international criminal law
    5. The crimes of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in international criminal law

    Sien meer

  • Module-inhoud:

    This module involves advanced study of the following:

    1. Key concepts and principles of international environmental law
    2. Climate change
    3. Biodiversity
    4. Hazardous substances and activities
    5. Responsibility and liability for environmental harm
    6. Oceans and the law of the sea

    Sien meer

  • Module-inhoud:

    The module comprises a capita selecta from contemporary issues relating to the law of international insolvency. Aspects dealt with include the following:

    1. Modern trends and developments in insolvency law
    2. Current issues in international insolvency law
    3. Cross-border insolvency law systems in South Africa as well as in selected other jurisdictions

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  • Module-inhoud:

    The module deals with the principles of international law at an advanced level. It focuses on theoretical questions pertaining to sources of the law and the relationship between international and national law. It analyses new developments in international law such as the changing content of sovereignity and the phenomenon of regional integration.

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  • Module-inhoud:

    1. Planning and organising a research project
    2. Drafting a research proposal: Hypotheses and research question
    3. Theory in research and methodological approaches to legal research
    4. Language
    5. Citation and ethics of citation
    6. Drafting of chapters and presentation

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  • Module-inhoud:

    1. Protection of socio-economic rights in other domestic jurisdictions, in particular in Africa
    2. Introduction to international human rights law
    3. Socio-economic rights in the UN human rights system
    4. Socio-economic rights in the African human rights system
    5. Socio-economic rights in the European human rights system
    6. Socio-economic rights in the Inter-American human rights system
    7. Socio-economic rights in other emerging regional human rights systems

    Sien meer

  • Module-inhoud:

    1. International contracts including transport contracts and insurance contracts for goods in international transactions
    2. Methods of payment in international contracts
    3. Settling of disputes regarding international transactions: judicial and extra-judicial (international commercial arbitration)
    4. International trade organisations
    5. Foreign investments and financing

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Core modules

  • Module-inhoud:

    1. The student must submit a research proposal during his/her first year of registration for the LLM degree to the supervisor prior to commencing with the writing of the mini-dissertation.
    2. A mini-dissertation (MND 800) of 13 000 to 15 000 words inclusive of footnotes but excluding the list of contents and the bibliography, is required. The mini-dissertation must be submitted to the supervisor not later than August of the second year of registration for the LLM programme. The mini-dissertation must deal with the subject content of one of the modules or a combination of the modules registered for by the student for his/her LLM degree. Any request for an extension of the period for submission of the mini-dissertation may only be granted by the Dean on recommendation of the LLM Committee

    Sien meer

  • Module-inhoud:

    Development and presentation of a research  proposal. (A research proposal must be submitted to the supervisor and accepted in the first semester of the second year of study  before the student will be allowed to register for the mini-dissertation.)

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