Oliver Schreiner School of Law

Students of Law at Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand learn communication skills, both oral and written, the ability to analyse and solve problems logically, how to argue from a position of weakness or strength and how to work effectively under pressure.

Subjects covered include Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, Human Rights Law, International Law, Labour Law and Property Law. Students attending the School of Law have the opportunity to participate in the trials of the Law Clinic where they gain hands-on, real-world experience of legal practice. The School also runs annual debates and competitions, and often sends students to participate in international mooting competitions.

The School’s lecturers include a host of South Africa’s prominent legal academics, many of whom have produced or contributed to the standard legal texts in a variety of subjects. Members of staff have also acted as advisors and consultants to government departments, international organisations and businesses within the country’s dynamic private sector.

There are a number of curricula options available to students who wish to study an LLB:

• The 4-year programme for matriculants (undergraduate registration)
• The 2-year LLB programme (requirements: a first award [degree], usually a BA or a BCom, where law has been taken as a unit set [major subject])
• The 3-year programme (requirements: a first award, usually a BA or BCom, where no law units have been completed)

Founded in 1922, the Oliver Schreiner School of Law has built a reputation as South Africas premier centre for legal education.