This activity sees the Centre host a series of talks on critical issues in law and society and legal education which aim to bring students and faculty in contact with thought leaders in the field (both inside and outside of the field of law), to encourage dialogue on difficult topics, and to open conversations between socio-legal scholars and researchers, activists and thinkers who practice at the boundary between law and society.
Beyond Doing No Harm: Do Businesses Have Positive Obligations to Help Realise Fundamental Rights
On 22nd August 2025, CLS hosted a seminar with Prof David Bilchitz (University of Johannesburg/SAIFAC) titled Beyond Doing No Harm: Do Businesses Have Positive Obligations to Help Realise Fundamental Rights?. This seminar engaged with analytical framework presented in his recent book Fundamental Rights and the Legal Obligations of Business (Cambridge University Press, 2022). Prof Bilchitz was in discussion with Prof Danwood Chirwa.
David is a Professor of Fundamental Rights and Constitutional Law at the University of Johannesburg and Director of the South African Institute for Advanced Constitutional, Public, Human Rights and International Law (SAIFAC).
Defensive Medicine: Is it in the Best Interests of the Child?
On 5th May 2025 CLS hosted a seminar on: Defensive medicine: is it in the best interests of the child? Salona Lutchman (Senior Lecturer, University of Cape Town) will present a paper on the topic, with Dr Noam Peleg (Associate Professor, University of New South Wales Sydney) as discussant.
Salona Lutchman is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Law at the University of Cape Town.
Noam Peleg is an Associate Professor and Director – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Faculty of Law and Justice at the University of New South Wales Sydney.
The failures of others: Justifying institutional expansion in comparative public and international law
Professor Michaela Hailbronner (University of Münster) presented a seminar on her forthcoming book The failures of others: Justifying institutional expansion in comparative public and international law. - Wednesday, 26th March 2025
Michaela Hailbronner is a Professor of German and International Public Law and Comparative Law at the University of Münster. Michaela completed two German law degrees at the University of Freiburg and the Kammergericht of Berlin before doing an LL.M. and a J.S.D. (doctorate) at Yale Law School (LL.M. 2010 and J.S.D. 2013). She is Co-President of the International Society of Public Law, involved in a number of international collaborations as well as part of the advisory board of the International Journal of Constitutional Law (ICON) and World Comparative Law (WCL/VRÜ).
The South African Constitution as a ‘constructive revolutionary’ case
Professor James Fowkes (University of Münster) presented his forthcoming paper 'On Constitutional Power in South Africa: Beyond the Negotiation Story', with Dr Nomfundo Ramalekana (UCT) as discussant. - Wednesday, 19th February 2025
James Fowkes is Professor of Foreign and International Law at the University of Münster. He is the author of Building the Constitution: The Practice of Constitutional Interpretation in Post-Apartheid South Africa.
Nomfundo Ramalekana is a senior lecturer in the Department of Public Law at the University of Cape Town
Democratic turning points? Reflections on India and South Africa
Roundtable discussion on the theme “Democratic turning points? Reflections on India and South Africa” with Professor Tarun Khaitan (LSE) and Professor Hugh Corder (UCT) - Thursday, 22nd August 2024
Gaza and International Law
A conversation on Gaza and International Law. Professor Cathleen Powell and Dr Khomotso Moshikaro discussed current developments in proceedings and processes at the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court. The conversation was facilitated by Caitlin Le Roith - Tuesday, 7th May 2024
Problems in Academic Publication
A conversation with Prof Anthony Diala on Problems in Academic Publication. The discussion will be based on his recent, co-authored publication titled ‘The Tsetse Fly Perched on the Scrotum: Publishing Problems in Academic Journals’. The article, attached, critiques South Africa’s research incentive system, and identifies problems in the peer-review publication process. - Thursday, 14th March 2024
Legal consciousness and dissent
A conversation with Dr Vanya Gastrow on legal consciousness theory and the regulation of foreign-owned small businesses in South Africa. ‘Legal consciousness and dissent: The formal and informal regulation of foreign shopkeepers in South Africa’ - Tuesday, 31st October 2023
Can we be scholar activists?
Dr Khomotso Moshikaro (Department of Private Law) in conversation with Nurina Ally (Department of Public Law) - Friday, 29th September 2023
