School of Law
Jurisprudence, Legal Pluralism, Criminal Law and Procedure
Our law alumni have dominated every facet of the South African legal profession and judiciary
WHY CHOOSE SCHOOL OF LAW
In this Department, we study how laws work, how different legal systems coexist, and how criminal laws and procedures operate.
Dr. Mpho BAPELA
Acting HOD
Our goal is to help students understand the ins and outs of the law and its role in society. By learning with us, you’ll be well-prepared for a range of careers in the legal field. Whether you want to be a lawyer, a legal researcher, or work in law enforcement, our programmes will give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. Explore our website to find out more about what we offer and the career paths you can pursue with us.
In our department, students delve into fascinating topics such as the philosophy of law, the diversity of legal systems worldwide, and the procedures involved in criminal justice. Through engaging lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on learning experiences, we provide a solid foundation in legal principles and practices. Additionally, our faculty members are experts in their fields, offering valuable insights and guidance to students as they navigate their academic and professional journeys.
With a strong foundation in legal theory and practice, our students are well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to society through their chosen career paths.
The following are some of possible careers:
- Lawyer
- Legal Researcher
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Prosecutor
- Public Defender
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
- Policy Analyst
- Paralegal
- Court Clerk
- Legal Aid Worker
- Academic Researcher
Fostering a Harmonisation of Diversity of Legal Systems in an African Setting
- Fostering Transformative Teaching and Learning, which decolonizes legal education, promotes student-centeredlegal pedagogy.
- Fostering co-existence of various legal systems (legal plurality)
- Recognising the importance of African jurisprudence
- Advancing students’ critical thinking through integration of theory and practice
- Emphasising the role of indigenous legal systems and knowledge in the development of law in general.
- Recognising and reinforcing traditional dispute resolution mechanisms within the context of the post-1994 constitutional dispensation.
- Demonstrating the established relation between the values of Ubuntu, Human Rights norms and societal transformation
- Historical Foundations of South African Law
- Introduction to Contemporary South African Law
- Civil Procedure A
- Practical Legal Course
- Criminal Procedure A
- Criminal Law –Specific Crimes
- Evidence A
- Advanced Criminal Practice
- South African Indigenous Law
- Criminal Procedure B
- Civil Procedure B
- Legal Skills
- Legal Ethics
- Evidence B
Academic Staff
Prof. Segoane L RAPULANA
Qualifications
- B.Iuris, LLB (UL) LLM (WIts) LLM (Wisconsin-Madison) LLD (Unisa)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 2713
- Email: Lawrence.Rapulana@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Criminal Law, Customary Law & Internet Gambling
Recent publications:
Book Chapters
- Rapulana, Nsimbini & Chayya Criminal Law in Yearbook of South African Law Volume 3 2021/2022 (Juta ISBN 978 1 48514 016 0) 373-388
- A Merwe, L Rapulana & T Nsimbini A Criminal Procedure & Sentencing in Yearbook of South African Law Volume 2 2020/2021 (Juta ISBN 978 1 48513 911 9) 293-347
Dr. Bongani Stanley NKOSI
Qualifications
PGDHE(DUT-Pending), LLD (NWU-Pochefstroom), LLM (UL) LLB (UNIN) B.Iruirs (UNIN)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 3104
- Email: bongani.nkosi@ul.ac.za
- Orcid No: 0000-0003-3467-5527
Areas of interest
- Child Law,
- Criminal Procedure,
- Family Law & Constitutional Law
Recent publication
- The Right of the Child to Care and the Involvement of the Family Advocate in the Sentencing of a Child’s Caregiver’ (2021) 1(1) Turf Law Journal 23‑45
Adv. Frikkie PONELIS
Qualifications
- LLM; LLB; BA (Stellenbosch University); Advanced Diploma in Labour Law (Rand Afrikaans University)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 4154
- Email: frikkie.ponelis@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Procedural Law; Jurisprudence
Recent conference presentation
- F.A. Ponelis and S Chayya ‘Plagiarism at universities in the advent of Artificial Intelligence’. Second Turfloop Law Conference, Polokwane, August 2023.
Ms Sabieha CHAYYA
Qualification
- LLM (UCT); LLB (UNISA)
Contacts
- Tel : 015 268 2275
- Email: sabieha.chayya@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Criminal Law, Cybercrimes and cybercrime regulations
Recent publication
- Rapulana, Nsimbini & Chayya Criminal Law in Yearbook of South African Law Volume 3 2021/2022 (Juta ISBN 978 1 48514 016 0) 373-388
Pindile Raymond MSAULE
Qualifications
- LLM, LLB (North-West University)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 2811
- E-mail: Raymond.Msaule@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Procedural Law, Unlawful Arrest and Malicious Prosecution
Recent publication
- Should Vicarious Liability be Extended to the Minister of Police in the Circumstances of Unlawful Arrest by a Private Person? Speculum Juris vol 27 (2023) 104-117. ISSN 2523-2177.
Adv. Henry YOUNG
Qualifications
- B-Iuris, LLB (UNISA), LLM (UNISA)
Contacts
- 015-268 3140
- Email: henry.young@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Civil litigation, practice
Ms Thobile NSIMBINI
Qualifications
- LLB (Univen); LLM (UNISA); Certificate in Introduction to the African Human Rights System (CHR UP);
- PGDipHE (Rhodes);
- LLM Candidate in Public Procurement (Stellenbosch University);
- Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 3923
- Email: Thobile.Nsimbini@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Human Rights,
- Customary Law,
- Legal Ethics,
- Criminal Law and Public Procurement Law
Recent publications
Book Chapters
- Rapulana, Nsimbini & Chayya Criminal Law in Yearbook of South African Law Volume 3 2021/2022 (Juta ISBN 978 1 48514 016 0) 373-388
- A Merwe, L Rapulana & T Nsimbini A Criminal Procedure & Sentencing in Yearbook of South African Law Volume 2 2020/2021 (Juta ISBN 978 1 48513 911 9) 293-347
Adv. Motlalepula RAKUBU
Qualifications
- B Iuris LLB (Vista University) LLM (UL)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 278 2716
- Email: Motlalepula.rakubu@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Gender law, Law of Evidence
Recent conference presentation
- “E-judiciary and litigation in the face of fourth industrial revolution” Second Turfloop Law Conference, Polokwane, August 2023.
Dr Mokgadi MOKGOKONG
Qualifications
- LLB, LLM (UL), LLD (UL)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 278 3244
- Email: Mokgadi.Mokgokong@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Mining Law, Environmental Law, and The Law of Property
Recent virtual conference presentation
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) And Critical Race Theory: The Missing Link In SA’s Mining Legislative Framework” 2023 MBALI International Conference
Mr. Teron RIKHOTSO
Qualifications:
- LLB (UL) LLM (UL)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 4048
- Email: teron.rikhotso@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Criminal Justice, Customary Law, Pension and Retirement Law, & International Trade
Recent publication
- Kola O. Odeku and Teron Rikhotso ‘African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): An Impetus for Intra-African Trade Integration’, Journal of African Foreign Affairs (JoAFA) (2023) 10(1) pp 111-131.
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2056-5658/2023/v10n1a6
- Teron Rikhotso ‘A Critical Legal Analysis of the Effect of the Proposed ‘Two-Pot System’ on Spouses in Unregistered Customary Marriages in South Africa’ Statute Law Review (2023) 44 pp 1-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/slr/hmad007