On 6 August 2024, Retired Judge of Appeal Azhar Cachalia delivered a compelling public lecture at Rhodes University, where he criticised Parliament's questionable decision to appoint individuals with known unethical conduct to serve on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

At a recent event hosted by Rhodes University’s Law Faculty on 16 April 2024, Dr Nomalanga Mashinini, a senior lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand specialising in image rights protection, discussed the challenges posed by deepfakes in maintaining electoral integrity.

In a rare spotlight on South Africa's ongoing struggle with land reform, Rhodes University’s Law Faculty, as part of the University’s 120th-anniversary celebrations, hosted a public lecture in collaboration with the Black Lawyers Association student charter.

On 22 February 2024, Rhodes University's Law Faculty officially began its academic year with a its annual Faculty Opening evening. The event welcomed students, faculty members, and a notable guest, marking the occasion as a significant moment in the faculty’s annual calendar.

On 03 October 2023, Rhodes University hosted Professor Clive Plasket for his final public lecture as a Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law.

Rhodes University Faculty of Law LLM Candidate, Tafadzwa Mavindidze, has been announced as the first-place recipient of the prestigious South African Law Reform Legal Essay Competition (SALRC) prize for 2023.

A team of four final-year Rhodes University Faculty of Law students boarded a 13-hour flight to Geneva, Switzerland, to participate in the prestigious John H Jackson International Trade Law Moot Court Competition.

At its fourth graduation ceremony on Thursday, 30 March 2023, at 14h30, Rhodes University will confer a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on its alumnus and Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, Justice Mbuyiseli Russel Madlanga.

Rhodes University LLM student and part-time lecturer, Hugh Harnett has been announced as the winner of the prestigious South African Law Reform Legal Essay Competition (SALRC) for 2021. The results were delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions and were only announced last week.

On 7 September 2022, the Rhodes University Deputy Vice Chancellors, Faculty of Law staff, fellow academics, students, family and friends of Professor Graham Glover gathered in the Eden Grove Blue Lecture Theatre for his inaugural lecture entitled “‘Please Call Me’ Agent: The Taxonomy of Agency Law in South Africa.”

Rhodes University Law Faculty on Wednesday hosted a public lecture by former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships) at the University of Ibadan, distinguished visiting Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose.

Dr Mashinini represented the Faculty of Law at the International Human Rights Law Conference in Cairo, Egypt

Dr Mashinini, Ms Ndyulo and Mr Malahleka presented papers at the 2022 Southern African Law Teachers Conference

Several alumni from Rhodes University are among this year’s Mail & Guardian top 200 Young South Africans. Every year, the Mail & Guardian celebrates the most interesting and talented young South Africans under 35, who have shown themselves to be leaders.

The Ukraine-Russia conflict has not only devasted many parts of Ukraine but is also having ripple effects throughout the world. The challenges it presents to Africa are particular to its vulnerabilities. At an event hosted by the Internationalisation Office, the Law Faculty, and the Africa Centre, academics from Rhodes University discussed how the war would affect the African continent.

Dr Nomalanga Mashinini, a recently promoted Senior Lecturer of the Rhodes University Law Faculty completed her doctoral degree in 2021 at the University of Pretoria, exactly 10 years since she first arrived in Hatfield, Pretoria to study an LLB degree in 2011.

As per its time-honoured tradition, Rhodes University held the inaugural lecture of Professor Helena van Coller on 26 April 2022, after she received her status as a full professor. Inaugural lectures serve as a recognition and celebration of induction and a platform for professors to showcase their scholarly contributions to their field.

Final Year 2022 Moot Competition

Congratulations to the worthy recipient of the 2022 Faculty of Law Research Award, Associate Professor Helen Kruuse! 

The Rhodes University Faculty of Law hosted an orientation day for the LLB Penultimate Year students on 18 February 2022.

The Law Faculty librarian Ms Sindi Gule put the first years through their paces this year with a grueling test of their ability to retrieve online library resources.

The Rhodes Faculty of Law virtually hosted Mr Krish Govender, a stalwart of the South African legal profession, earlier this week.

Two first year students, Ms Hlengiwe Khumalo and Mr Sivenathi Mtshwisa, from the Rhodes University Faculty of Law participated in the 17th Annual Kovsie Moot Court Competition.

On 14 October 2021, Inkululeko and partnered with the Rhodes University, Faculty of Law in a career talk.

Lisa Ndyulo, Amanda Phephu and Nomalanga Mashinini had career talks with students from iKamva Youth

The Faculty is delighted to announce that the winners of the Legal Skills Heads of Argument exercise for 2021.

We had some fun with the students at Inkululeko

Language constituted in how and what we ‘hear’ and ‘speak’ impacts various aspects of our reality, including how we experience the South African democracy as it stands. Those were some of the words from Judge Belinda Hartle at the virtual launch of A handbook on Legal Languages and the quest for linguistic equality in South Africa and beyond by Rhodes University alumna, Dr Zakeera Docrat, in partnership with Professor Russell Kaschula and Professor Monwabisi Ralarala.

The Rhodes University Faculty of Law is donating face masks to local schools in Makhanda.

Rhodes has partnered with the Department of Health to accelerate the pace of COVID 19 Vaccinations in Makhanda. 

On its 72nd graduation ceremony on the 28th of April 2021, Rhodes University will confer a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on community builder, Nontsikelelo Ntsiki Biko.

Rhodes University has appointed retired provincial Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Les Roberts as the University’s first Ombudsperson. His two-year appointment expires in 2022.

On its 72nd graduation ceremony on the 28th of April 2021, Rhodes University will confer a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on African Court for Human Rights and People’s Rights Judge and Cricket South Africa’s Social Justice Ombudsman, Advocate Dumisa Buhle Ntsebeza SC.

The Rhodes University Law Faculty recently kicked off its 2021 academic year by celebrating the success of academic staff and students alike.

Professor Glover was awarded the 2021 Faculty Research Award at the Faculty Opening Function on 30 March 2021.

The Faculty of Law celebrates Professor Rosaan Krüger’s appointment as an Acting Judge of the High Court.

Someone who has read the novel Ityala Lamawele by Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi or watched the telenovela on SABC 1 would know that it is sometimes rare for twins to see eye to eye, let alone love the same things. However, two sets of twins who came to register at Rhodes University this week paint an altogether different story.

It is with great sadness that we record the passing of a former staff member in the Faculty of Law, Professor Emeritus Richman Mqeke.

For the first time in over 100 years of existence, Rhodes University will on Friday 30 October 2020, be hosting an exclusive inaugural graduation ceremony for Masters and Doctoral graduates.

When a young Gerald Bloem was growing up in Kroonstad, he never imagined he would one day be entrusted with the role of Rhodes University Council Chairperson.

The Faculty of Law welcomes a new lecturer, Mr Gaopalelwe Mathiba.

The former Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court will be visiting the Faculty of Law at Rhodes University.

Every year, the Mail & Guardian searches for the 200 most outstanding young South Africans and celebrates them. This year, the newspaper received about 8 000 nominations, and 10 current and former Rhodes University students featured on the list of 200.

Rhodes University Professor in Biotechnology, Janice Limson and Professor Emma Lubaale in the Faculty of Law were recently inaugurated as Members of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) respectively.

The High Court in Durban, the port city in KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of South Africa, has granted an interdict against a mosque, stopping its call to prayer (the athaan or adhan) because it can be heard from a neighbour’s house across the street.

The Faculty is proud of the excellent achievement received by Sinal and Claire.

Rhodes University community has learnt with great sadness about the passing of one of gallant fighters against apartheid and a long-time friend of Nelson Mandela, Advocate George Bizos.

The Law Faculty congratulates Prof H van Coller for receiving the inaugural Law Faculty Research Award.

At the end of July 2020, Prof Rosaan Kruger concludes a period of six years as Dean of the Faculty of Law.

It is with great regret that the Law Faculty must record the passing of Adv Ntsiki Sandi due to Covid-19 complications.

If you have been the victim of a crime, one of the first interactions you’ll have with police is when an officer takes your sworn statement. Language is key to this process: you tell an officer your story, and they record it, usually writing it by hand.

The Faculty of Law would like to welcome our new staff member, Associate Professor Charlene Lubaale, who joined us in April 2020.

The Rhodes University Law Clinic strives to improve access to justice through the provision of free legal services to indigent people in most areas of law. Currently the Law Clinic is closed due to lockdown regulations, so is unable to see clients at either its New Street offices or at the Assumption Development Centre as usual. The date of the re-opening of the office is uncertain at this time.

A team of final-year LLB students from Rhodes University has made it to the final round in the 18th edition of the prestigious John H Jackson Moot Court Competition, and member Hayley Camilla Warring was awarded Best Orator in the semi-finals. The semi-final took place online in late April.

The Rhodes University team recently competed in the virtual African Regional Rounds of the 18th Edition of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition.

This year’s John H Jackson (formerly ELSA) Moot Court Competition will continue on virtual platforms in real-time, as finalists compete in the African Regional Round this week.

Rhodes University LLB students will participate in 2019/2020 John. H. Jackson Moot Court Competition

Emojis have become ubiquitous in text communication – messages are peppered with smiley faces, hearts and other graphic icons. They were first drawn by graphic designer Shigetaka Kurita, and generated by a Japanese communications firm called NTT DoCoMo in the late 1990s. Now they’re everywhere.

After a process of shortlisting and interviews, Law Faculty PhD student, Mr Idowu Akinloye was invited as only one of 15 participants to attend a prestigious Young Scholars Fellowship on Religion and the Rule of Law, to be held July 20 – August 8, 2020, at Christ Church, Oxford.

The Legal Theory 3/LLB 2 class were surprised and delighted when Justice Johan Froneman, Constitutional Court judge, arrived at their 0840 Monday morning lecture.

Special guest: Judge Chetty

On Monday, 17 February, the Rhodes University Faculty of Law held its opening ceremony for the 2020 academic year. For the event, the Faculty invited respected, retired Judge Dayalin Chetty to deliver the keynote speech.

Invitation to all staff, postgraduate and final year LLB students

Rhodes University, Faculty of Law was represented by Tshwanelo Mabelane and Vuyo Mxhonywa at the Child Law Moot Court Competition hosted by the University of Pretoria on 18-19 October 2019.

Mr Shaun Bergover recently accompanied and coached four of our students at the LexisNexis Moot competition in Pretoria, hosted by the University of Pretoria.

Professor Enyinna Nwauche’s highly anticipated book on traditional cultural expression in Africa has been published.

Collaboration between students and supervisors is key, explained Professor Monwabisi Ralarala the Director of the Fundani Center for Higher Education, CPUT and Chairperson of the African Language Association of South Africa (ALASA), at a recent book launch at Rhodes University.

On 8 October, the Law Faculty’s Visiting Professor and Judge of Appeal in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), Clive Plasket, delivered a public lecture in the Moot Room at Rhodes University.

The Rhodes University Black Lawyers Association Student Chapter (BLASC) recently hosted their first-ever annual colloquium: "Conversations with".

The Faculty is delighted that Cachalia JA (now also Visiting Professor Cachalia) accepted its request to become a visiting professor at the Faculty, which request has now just been formally approved by Rhodes University’s Senate and Council.

Helen Kruuse, senior lecturer, was appointed earlier this year as an ‘ethics champion’ in the United Nation’s Education for Justice (E4J) programme, an initiative of the UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

On 21 August, the top four finalists of the Penultimate LLB class argued for the coveted position of top mootist and runner up 2019.

Rhodes University’s Faculty of Law hosted visiting lecturer, Max Boqwana, on 22 July for a public lecture titled: “Ethics in the legal profession”.

On 15 July 2019, the South African Law Dean’s Association hosted the “Law Students’ Conference on the Decolonisation and Africanisation of Legal Education”, at the University of Venda.

Prof van Coller and PhD student Idowu Akinloye attended and presented papers at the 7th annual African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ACLARS) conference in Gaborone, Botswana from 19 to 21 May 2019.

On Friday, 10 May 2019, the Faculty of Law spent some time with the high school students who attended Rhodes University’s Open Day.

Stuart Bently, Rhulani Matsimbi, Ryan Birkner, Jeremy de Beer will be representing the faculty at the 2019 John H. Jackson International Trade Law Moot Court Competition.

On 17 April 2019, the Rhodes University Faculty of Law was honoured to host a public lecture presented by Visiting Professor and Judge of Appeal Nambitha Dambuza.

The Faculty hosted a celebratory garden party for the LLB graduates on 11 April 2019.

The Faculty of Law is saddened by the untimely death of one of our final year LLB students, Nkcubeko Balani on 6 April 2019 in Pietermaritzburg.

Congratulations to Christopher Stroud on winning the Moot Final on 25 March 2019!

Daniel Coetzer, Ayanda Mpofu, Bryony Fox, Clarize Coertze, and Erika Heaton will be representing the faculty at the 2019 ICC Moot Competition in The Hague.

On 22 February 2019, the Rhodes University Faculty of Law hosted the annual Faculty Opening Function.

Sibusiso Ngwila, Ferdinand Weyers, and Andile Msane will be taking part in the Jean-Pictet Competition from 16 March to 23 March 2019.

The Faculty of Law will be hosting the 2019 Faculty Opening function. Guest Speaker: Justice M Madlanga

Tuscany Parkin has been an outstanding LLB student at the Rhodes University, Faculty of Law from 2014 – 2018.

Final year LLB student Trecia Makhubele was selected to represent South Africa at the Model African Union summit hosted by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in partnership with the AU, from October 2nd to 4th, 2018 in Addis Ababa.

Rhodes University’s Faculty of Law was treated to a public lecture by visiting Professor Clive Plasket Judge of the High Court, Eastern Cape Division on 2 October.

A fully-packed Moot Room, which included Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela, and members of the local National Prosecuting Authority, welcomed legal legend Visiting Professor Wim Trengove SC on 10 September 2018.

The internal moot competition for Penultimate Year LLB students took place from 13 to 17 August 2018, with the final taking place on 22 August 2018.

On 01 August, the Black Lawyers Association (BLA) Rhodes University Student Chapter hosted a discussion with Judge President Mbenenge.

The Rhodes University Faculty of Law has the pleasure of celebrating the award of the US Fulbright Foreign Student Program Scholarship to its alumnus and former Andrew W Mellon Lecturer, Mr Tladi Marumo.

Four final year LLB students participated in the All Africa Round of the ELSA Trade Law Moot competition during 24 to 29 April.

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) on Thursday 14 June 2018 released its final revised reaccreditation outcomes concerning the Higher Education Quality Committee’s (HEQC’s) National Review of LLB Programmes. Rhodes’s LLB has been fully reaccredited.

Four final year Rhodes University LLB students participated in the All Africa Round of the ELSA Trade Law Moot competition between 24 and 29 April in Nairobi, Kenya.

Women’s parental rights concerning ulwaluko rites

Dear Friends of the Faculty Four of our final year LLB students leave for Kenya to compete in the All Africa Round of the European Law Students' Associations (ELSA) International Trade Law Competition.

‘WOMEN’S PARENTAL RIGHTS IN ULWALUKO (CIRCUMCISION): A PARADOX?’

The Eastern Cape Division Judge President’s encouraging speech helped set a positive tone for the coming academic year at Rhodes’ Faculty of Law annual opening function, which took place 1 March 2018.

The Faculty of Law requests the pleasure of your company at the Faculty Opening

Over 50 years Africa has lost an estimated $1-trillion at around $50 billion annually through illicit financial overflows.

Rhodes Law Clinic and the Law Faculty congratulates Thembakazi Mveve on her admission as an attorney.

Orientation Day: Penultimate Year LLB Students 2018

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) on Wednesday, 15 November 2017, released its revised reaccreditation outcomes concerning the Higher Education Quality Committee’s (HEQC’s) National Review of LLB Programmes. Rhodes’s LLB has been reaccredited, subject to meeting one specific condition, on which it must report to the CHE by 10 May 2018.

SALDA COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE OUTCOME OF THE NATIONAL LLB REVIEW

Thuli and the fire pool

Hate speech in a modern South Africa

A discussion of Minister of Finance v Oakbay Investments

How legal ethics flew out with al-Bashir

On the 18th and 19th of September this year, visiting professor Advocate Wim Trengove SC presented five talks at Rhodes University. A brief report of each talk has been posted here as a series.

On 4 October 2017, Professor Thaddeus Metz from the University of Johannesburg gave a presentation to Rhodes law students on what ubuntu entails for legal justice and ethics.

South African High Court Judge in the Eastern Cape division, and presently acting Judge of the SCA, Clive Plasket presented a public lecture on 11 October 2017 titled: ‘Judicial Review, Administrative Power and Deference: A view from the Bench’ at the Faculty of Law.

The Faculty of Law team impressed at the finals of the 26th African Human Rights Moot Court Competition finals in Mauritius when they made it to the top three.

After 28 years of dedicated service to Rhodes University Law Clinic, the Faculty of Law and the university at large Thandeka Heleni is retiring and the Clinic bids her a fond farewell and wishes her a blissful retirement.

Rhodes University law students once again proved their standing at the 2017 African Human Rights Moot Court Competition held from 18-23 September at the University of Mauritius.

On Wednesday 7 September 2016, 2 final year LLB students - Ms Orla Murphy and Ms Relebohile Chabeli, together with Ms Tarryn Cooper-Bell, an attorney at the Rhodes University Law Clinic, departed for Delhi, India to compete in the 3rd annual NLU Delhi – HSF International Negotiation Competition which was held in Delhi from 9-11 September 2016.

Professor of Law Avinash Govindjee – an accomplished researcher and lecturer, with a high level of involvement within the community – is the new Executive Dean in the Faculty of Law at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Prior to his appointment as Dean, he was Head of the Department of Public Law and Deputy Head of the Labour and Social Security Law Unit within the Faculty.

Prof van Coller, Associate Professor at the Rhodes Law Faculty received a grant from the Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme for Young African Researchers to spend three months at a Coimbra Group University for research purposes.

On Monday 25 July 2016, the Centre for Constitutional Rights (CFCR) supported by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), hosted a discussion at Rhodes University (RU) in conjunction with the Law Faculty as part of their running constitutional dialogue series. The aim of these discussions is to create a platform for conversation and debate about the Constitution and the values and rights contained therein. This discussion focused on the role that universities play in the building of inclusive societies, especially in the communities that they occupy.

The Rhodes University ELSA Moot team, consisting of four final year LLB students, has won the African Regional Round of the European Law Students Association (ELSA) Moot Court Competition on Friday 1 April.

Rhodes University LLB soon-to-be graduate, Jason McMillan has won the prestigious international SIEL/CUP Essay Competition for 2015.

Professor Helena van Coller was appointed to the executive of the Administrative Justice Association of South Africa at the second AdJASA conference held at the Salt Rock Hotel in Kwazulu Natal recently.

Professor Nwauche continues to fly the faculty's flag high. He recently delivered a paper at the Harvard Workshop on Animals in Comparative Constitutional Law.

Prof Nicolson’s visited Rhodes Law Faculty from the 15th to 19th February 2016 as one of its 5 visiting professors/lecturers.

Message from the Dean

Rhodes Wins SA Inter-Varsity Mock Trial Competition

Professor Glover delivers seminar for Eastern Cape Judges

Professor Laurence Juma gives the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award Lecture

Alumnus awarded Emerging Old Rhodian Award

Rhodes team wins SA Inter-Varsity Mock Trial Competition

Helen Kruuse and Lucy Maxwell No kangaroos loose in this paddock: the compulsory legal ethics course

Nominations open for Advisory Board of the Faculty of Law

Rhodes Law Faculty and Law Clinic present at the SALTC (South African Law Teachers Conference)

Mellon Senior Scholar, Prof Donald Nicholson, inspires faculty members, clinicians and students

The Law Faculty is proud to announce an exciting new development: the appointment of the Honourable Judge Lex Mpati as Patron of the Rhodes University Law Clinic.

The Rhodes University team for the European Law Students Association (ELSA) Moot Court Competition won numerous prizes at Wits University on 30 March and 31 March.

Angela Quintal dedicates Faculty Opening to former class mate

FOURTH EDITION OF KERR’S LAW OF SALE AND LEASE RELEASED