As of 2012, the Wits School of Law is introducing a new suite of specialised postgrauate diplomas to complement the existing Master of Laws (LLM) degree. Concurrently, a revised Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, which is based on theory and skills development, is also being implemented.

The law postgraduate diploma is aimed at practitioners and law graduates who wish to acquire a postgraduate qualification, which is similar in content and rank to the LLM by coursework and research report programme, but which does not carry the research component.

Important features of the new LLB degree include an increased focus on legal skills, such as legal research, problem solving and legal writing because attorneys, advocates and other legal practitioners have noted that students require additional legal skills to improve their performance as lawyers.

A reduction in the number of electives, the abolition of the List 1 and List 2 system of electives, a simplified, consistent points system, as well as a reduction in the overall semester courses of study required to graduate are some of the changes that will be implemented in 2012.

Although the new points system results in more points being required for the LLB degree, the required number of semester courses of study have been substantially reduced in all the LLB curricula.

The global trend within the legal educa- tion system sees many undergraduate law professionals seeking to upgrade their skills and knowledge, based on the fact that certain aspects of the law are continually changing.

Research and policy development centre Mandela Institute business development manager Julie Dunsford explains that courses such as competition law, intellectual property law, banking and financial markets law, international advanced company law, energy law, advanced international trade and international environmental law are, therefore, constantly updated to keep students on par with changes in the law.

The centre also offers seminars and workshops, which incorporate these new or updated laws. It recently focused on the New Companies Act, which attracted an influx of recently qualified professionals who sought to acquire the necessary knowledge to apply the changes in their everyday practices.

The Mandela Institute conducts research, develops policy and offers a range of postgraduate certificate courses, workshops, seminars, public lectures and conferences in different areas of international economic law. These connect South Africa and the emerging world to the global political economy.

The institute also conducts teaching, training and capacity building in areas of law and policy, which are domestic in operation but are affected by global developments, such as refugee law, HIV/Aids law and mining and mining tax law.

Meanwhile, with the ever- increasing rise in the cost of living, there is an increased need for funding of tertiary education. To that end, the Wits School of Law has a comprehensive financial aid system in place to assist students who are unable to afford the cost of tertiary education.

This financial aid system offers various solutions, including funds through the financial aid scheme, as well as bursary and scholarship programmes, which are based either on merit or financial need.

The school also offers intern opportunities, as well as affording its staff the opportunity to further their studies, with the cost of tuition completely covered.

Besides this, the Wits School of Law and the Mandela Institute, along with the US-based Seattle University, run a yearly winter law school programme, which sees students from America and the rest of Africa attending a two-week certificate course during the university’s semester break.

This year, some of the courses offered include international dispute resolution, competition law in relation to the global economy and the law of globalisation.

The flagship programme also enables students to obtain extra credits towards their final degree. It offers a strong social and cultural component, as the students are able to interact with one another on a social level, enabling them to broaden their understanding of different backgrounds and social environments.