Subject to the stipulations of the relevant General Regulations, a candidate for the LLD programme must be in possession of at least an LLM degree, or an equivalent degree.

Where applicable a candidate must apply to SAQA for an evaluation of their foreign qualification.

The Faculty Board may grant exemption from the above conditions.

A candidate for the LLD programme must submit a writing portfolio consisting of the LLM mini-dissertation/dissertation and/or other recent research-based essays, assignments or the like, as well as a letter of motivation and a preliminary research statement (an 800 word description of the proposed research field indicating a research topic, the broad scope of the proposed study, a tentative research problem and an indication of how the proposed doctorate will contribute to scholarship in the relevant field).

A candidate will only be admitted to the LLD programme if he/she obtained at least 65% (or the equivalent of this mark) for the dissertation or mini-dissertation of the preceding master’s degree (or an equivalent degree). Where an average of below 65% was achieved, the student may be admitted on recommendation of the relevant head of department after consultation with potential supervisor(s) and consideration of other factors, including relevant work experience, other academic qualifications and an admission examination.

A candidate will only be admitted to the LLD programme if the Faculty can provide a suitable supervisor in light of the applicant’s preliminary research statement, and writing portfolio. If the potential supervisor is not satisfied with the preliminary research statement, the potential supervisor should assist the candidate in developing and formulating a research statement before a final decision on admission to the programme is taken.

Where a potential supervisor declines to accept a candidate for a reason other than the lack of capacity (current supervision load or lack of relevant expertise), the dean on advice of the postgraduate committee may issue appropriate directives to the relevant head of department (such as obtaining the recommendation of an independent expert) before making a final decision.

The dean, on advice of the postgraduate committee, may advise a candidate to enrol for the LLM: Research programme instead of the LLD programme.