UWC Faculty of Law

04/06/2026

📢 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝗦𝗗 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀!

The 𝗦𝗶𝘅𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗔𝗦𝗗 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲) is pleased to announce that the 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 for applicants from:
Angola | Botswana | Cameroon | Congo Brazzaville | DRC | Egypt | Gabon | Liberia | Mozambique | The Gambia | Nigeria | Lesotho | Senegal | Tunisia | Uganda

👩🏾‍💼 𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆

🎓 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗔𝗦𝗗 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲: Central-Local Relations
📍 Cape Town, South Africa
📅 8–21 November 2026

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀, 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲:
☑️ Theoretical foundations and models of decentralisation (federalism, decentralisation, devolution etc)
☑️ National decentralisation reforms in Africa
☑️ Constitutional and legal frameworks for local government
☑️ National monitoring and evaluation of local governments
☑️ National support for, and financing of local government
☑️ National intervention in local government
☑️ Central-local cooperation (budgeting, planning, integration, intergovernmental forums and dispute resolution)
☑️ The role of local government associations

✅ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀
- Tuition fees fully waived (Participants contribute ZAR 20,000 to the course organisation).
- Learning from leading African and international experts
- A Pan-African professional network
- A postgraduate certificate jointly awarded by the University of the Western Cape and Addis Ababa University

📝 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝟭𝟵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

🔗 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://dullahomarinstitute.org.za/multilevel-govt/asd

UWC Faculty of Law

01/06/2026

💪 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀: 𝗔𝗘𝗖𝗟𝗦𝗡 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗮𝗺 🧑‍🎓

The African Early Career Legal Scholars' Network (AECLSN) held its inaugural Academic Research and Writing Workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 25 – 26 May 2026. The intensive sessions equipped emerging researchers with essential skills in legal methodology, grant writing, and publishing, all centred around the advancement of social justice through rigorous scholarship.

The AECLSN is an initiative of the Centre for Legal Integration in Africa (CLIA), in collaboration with Newcastle University, UK and the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It started with a grant from the British Academy (IWW25\100783) in March 2026, supplemented with a grant from The National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) (AUTP251004370387) in April 2026.

A competitive call for applications in late March 2026 attracted over 130 applicants, from which thirty (30) scholars were selected from fifteen African states. Twenty (20) fellows physically attend the capacity building workshops in Dar es Salaam and Cape Town. The other fellows are mentored remotely.

🧑‍🎓 𝗔 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀
The inaugural facilitators in the AECLSN are distinguished academics who have dedicated their time to mentoring the next generation of African legal scholars:
☑️ Prof. Anthony Diala
☑️ Prof. Enyinna Nwauche
☑️ Prof. Najma Moosa
☑️ Prof. Rhona Smith
☑️ Prof. Gina Heathcote
☑️ Prof. Babatunde Fagbayibo
☑️ Prof. Jan Erk, and
☑️ Dr. Olivia Lwabukuna

These mentors presented on research methodology, grant applications, ethical use of AI and writing for publication. Going forward, they will guide the fellows to develop working papers for publication in the Journal of African Law and the African Journal of Legal Studies.

Beyond the intensive sessions, the workshop fostered invaluable cross-border networking and mentorship. CLIA looks forward to supporting the fellows' academic journeys and reconnecting with their brilliant minds in Cape Town on 12 November 2026 for the second leg of the capacity workshops.

The AECLSN is grateful for funding from The British Academy and the National research Foundation of South Africa.

21/05/2026

𝗨𝗪𝗖 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼-𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The UWC Faculty of Law’s Department of Criminal Justice & Procedure hosted a Symposium on Cyber Capable Guardian Working Group from 19 to 20 May 2026 under the theme, “Stress Testing South Africa’s Cybercrime Co-ordination Framework”.

Hosted by Dr Sagwadi Mabunda, the symposium brought together academics, researchers and practitioners to engage on institutional readiness, cybercrime response systems and digital governance within the South African context.

The programme featured contributions from Prof. Benyam Mezmur, Prof. Robert Nanima, Prof. Sebo Tladi (Keynote Speaker) and Dr Kim Loedolf. Sessions explored operational response frameworks, legal realities, information sharing, institutional trust and the future pressures shaping cybercrime co-ordination.

Interactive breakout discussions and simulation exercises encouraged collaborative reflection on strengthening cyber resilience and institutional capability in an evolving digital landscape
The programme reflected the Faculty of Law’s ongoing commitment to engaging critically with contemporary legal and technological challenges impacting society and governance.

20/05/2026

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮/𝟮 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿-𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 continued with engagements on strengthening cybercrime resilience, advancing digital governance, and enhancing collaborative responses to cybercrime challenges in South Africa & beyond.

19/05/2026

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭/𝟮 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿-𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽

Theme: Stress testing South Africa’s Cybercrime Coordination Framework

19/05/2026

📢 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 | 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆

The UWC Faculty of Law is proud to co-host the 2026 Public Law Conference alongside the University of Cape Town Faculty of Law under the theme:

"𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝑳𝒂𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒚 - 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆"

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲:
The 2026 Public Law Conference will be held at the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town on the theme ‘Public Law and the Future of Constitutional Democracy’. The Conference will take place at a time of fundamental challenges confronting constitutional democracy in many common-law jurisdictions, indeed globally. The theme is especially apposite to the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic Constitution of 1996, given the nation's history of government founded on systemic racism, exploitation, and injustice. Concern about the vitality of constitutional democratic values and the rule of law lies at the heart of the Conference call.

As with previous conferences in the Public Law series, the chosen theme seeks to solicit a variety of responses from public lawyers across a range of legal systems in the common-law world.

🗓: 1 - 4 July 2026
📍: UCT Faculty of Law, Cape Town

𝗞𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:
• Chief Justice Mandisa Maya (SA)
• Justice Albie Sachs (Retired, SA Constitutional Court)
• Justice Venkataramiah Nagarathna (Supreme Court of India)
• Justice Richard Goldstone (Retired, SA Constitutional Court)
• Justice Steven Majiedt (Constitutional Court of SA)
• Justice Sheilah Martin (Supreme Court of Canada)
• Chief Justice Mumba Malila (Zambia)
• Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese (Samoa)
• Professor Antony Anghie (National University of Singapore)
• Professor Paul Daly (University of Ottawa)

And many other leading voices from across the common‑law world.

🔍 REGISTRATION CLOSES ON 31 MAY 2026. No late registrations accepted.

🔗 Full programme, registration & accommodation:
https://law.uct.ac.za/publiclawconference2026

Join us in Cape Town to shape the future of constitutional democracy. Please share widely within your networks.

The 2026 Public Law Conference will be held in July 2026 at the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town, on the theme ‘Public Law and the Future of Constitutional Democracy’.

19/05/2026

📚 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

The UWC Faculty of Law continues to strengthen its contribution to legal scholarship and public discourse through impactful research produced by our academic staff in 2025.

Between January and December 2025, Faculty academics produced:

📖 10 books
📚 3 loose-leaf publications and new book editions
📝 60 chapters in books
📄 98 peer-reviewed journal articles
🎓 1 conference proceeding
✍️ 15 shorter publications

These publications reflect research engagement across a wide range of fields, including constitutionalism, labour law, banking and finance law, intellectual property, environmental law, human rights, children’s rights, legal theory, international criminal justice, and governance in Africa.

The Faculty’s research continues to shape legal thought locally, regionally, and internationally through collaborations with leading publishers and scholars across the globe.

Read more here: https://www.uwc.ac.za/news-and-announcements/publications/faculty-of-law-publications-2025

Between January and December 2025, our academic staff produced 10 books, 3 loose-leaf publications and new book editions, 60 chapters in books, 98 peer-re...

18/05/2026

𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲: 𝗨𝗪𝗖 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗮𝗶 𝗕𝘆𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲

The UWC Faculty of Law was honoured to welcome back Honourable Commissioner Seehaam Samaai on 24 April 2026 for a discussion on legal ethics and professional transformation.

In collaboration with the National Asociation of Democratic Lawyers (NADEL) Western Cape, the event focused on the critical theme: "The Importance of Being on the Right Side of Justice". Commissioner Samaai challenged our final-year law students to consider their future responsibilities in shaping a more equitable society.

Key takeaways included:
• The ethical mandate of future candidate legal practitioners.
• The role of progressive lawyers in transforming the profession.
• The importance of litigation in driving social change.

By bridging the gap between academia and the profession, UWC continues to lead in Research Excellence and Strategic Partnerships.

We are proud of our alumni who return to mentor the leaders of tomorrow.

18/05/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Women in Law Student Organisation hosted an engaging session on 23 April 2026 focused on leadership and representation of women in the legal profession.

The event featured a keynote address by Mushfiqah Cerfonteyn, followed by an interactive discussion where attendees reflected on leadership pathways, representation, and the evolving role of women in law. The session created space for meaningful dialogue among students and aspiring legal professionals.

Participants engaged in conversations around:

• Leadership and career pathways in the legal profession
• Representation of women and inclusion within legal spaces
• Navigating challenges and emerging opportunities in law

The session highlighted the importance of creating platforms that empower women to lead, participate meaningfully, and shape the future of justice.

18/05/2026

𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁: 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲

On 26 March 2026, the Lawyers' Association UWC Student Chapter (BLASC UWC) , under the UWC Faculty of Law, hosted its Human Rights Day dialogue themed “Human Rights Beyond the Text: Law, Lived Experiences and Accountability.”

The event featured Justice Albie Sachs, whose presence underscored the enduring relevance of South Africa’s constitutional values.

Key themes included:
• Accountability in legal systems
• Access to justice: Translating constitutional rights into lived realities
• The role of legal professionals in social transformation

This Human Rights Day event reaffirmed UWC’s commitment to critical engagement, social justice and the development of legal practitioners who are responsive to the realities of our communities.