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THE World Academic Summit

Join the University of Cape Town and Bristol University at the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit (WAS) - hosted for the first time in Africa.

Applications for 2027 are OPEN!

Thinking of studying Law? UCT is your home! Whether you're looking at doing your LLB or your LLM next year, now is the time to apply.

Read about applying to study Law

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If you have questions, but don't know who to ask, email us on lawcares@uct.ac.za. #LawCares is an email-based service for students to help navigate academic administration, student services, and life as a law student!

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FAQs

For quick access to key information about the Faculty of Law, we have developed an easy FAQ for you. If you have questions that are not answered here, let us know on lawcares@uct.ac.za.

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‘Rights do not self-execute’

Retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga spoke about education, human dignity, housing and access to justice during the Rabinowitz Lecture.

AI, bias and the rule of law

Artificial intelligence, bias and the rule of law will increasingly require attention. Therefore, a constitutional approach to regulating it in South Africa will inevitably be needed. Nokuthula Olorunju’s work serves as a useful guide.

UCT’s Dr Annette Hübschle, the study’s social scientist and its only Africa-based co-author

Crackdowns alone won’t stop online wildlife trafficking

A new major global review shows that certain social media platforms are fuelling a fast-growing and difficult-to-track illegal wildlife trade.

From UCT Law to shaping Zambia's jurisprudence: Chanda Chungu recognised with two national awards

When Chanda Chungu decided to study law, his motivation was simple. Growing up in Zambia, he saw how many people faced legal problems and how difficult it was for ordinary citizens to access justice and enforce their rights.

Public Law Conference puts constitutional democracy under the spotlight

At a time when constitutional democracies across the world are facing growing pressure, the Faculty of Law at UCT became the meeting place for one of the most significant public law conversations in the Commowealth.

In his closing address, Deputy Chief Justice Dunstan Mlambo noted the importance of educating and involving those who are governed by a constitution to understand the workings of these legal codes.

Focusing on the future of constitutional democracy

The sixth Public Law Conference, which explored the future of constitutional democracy worldwide, took place at UCT from 1 to 4 July 2026.

Justice for survivors of intimate partner violence

Dr Emma Backe, new Postdoctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Law, recently shared with us her thoughts on what she is hoping to achieve with her postdoctoral research.

Advocate Gys Hofmeyr SC - from UCT Law student to international Admiralty authority

With a career spanning nearly seven decades, Advocate Gys Hofmeyr SC has experienced significant changes in South Africa’s legal dispensation while contributing significantly to how the law is understood, interpreted and applied.

Olga Karungi - KAS-iNtaka Law & Technology Scholar 2026

The Faculty has been very pleased this year to welcome our 4th annual KAS-iNtaka Postgraduate Scholar in Law & Technology, Olga Karungi.

Why Law at UCT?

Excellence

As the smallest Faculty at UCT, with close to 1,200 undergraduate and postgraduate students annually, the rigour of our degree programmes leads to UCT Law graduates being highly sought after, not only in South Africa but also internationally.

Democracy and Social Justice

We are committed to furthering the goals of the Constitution. Our aim is to develop the next generation of skilled legal professionals who will ensure the maintenance and strengthening of an open, free and democratic South Africa. Our core objective remains teaching and research, but we are committed to maintaining a clear awareness of the social and global context in which our graduates will find their place.

Theory and Practice

The Faculty’s Law graduates are known for their capacity not only in legal theory, and its application, but also in their achievement of practical experience in law. This is a result of our community service opportunities for students, our superb moot court facility and our local and international academic & professional networks which ensure that we secure the best opportunities for students to gain experience elsewhere during their student years.