Public Law and the Future of Constitutional Democracy - Conference 2026
UCT's Faculty of Law is hosting the 2026 Public Law Conference from 1 - 4 July, marking a significant moment for public law scholarship locally and internationally.
Convened under the theme Public Law and the Future of Constitutional Democracy, the conference arrives at a time when constitutional systems across the world are under sustained pressure. Questions about the strength of democratic institutions, the resilience of the rule of law, and the role of courts and other public bodies are no longer abstract. They are urgent and deeply contested.
The timing of the conference is especially meaningful in the South African context. In 2026, the country marks 30 years since the adoption of its democratic Constitution, a milestone that invites both reflection and critical engagement. South Africa’s transition, from a past defined by systemic injustice to a constitutional order grounded in dignity, equality and freedom, continues to shape global conversations about law and democracy. Hosting this conference at UCT provides a fitting space to consider how those constitutional commitments are being realised, challenged and reimagined in the present.
As the leading regular forum for public law discussions in the Commonwealth, the Public Law Conference brings together a wide network of scholars, judges and practitioners. This year’s gathering is particularly notable as it is the first time the forum will be held on the African continent. It offers a rare opportunity for participants to engage directly with some of the most respected voices in public law, while also situating global debates within the realities of the Global South.
The conference is led by Justice Steven Majiedt of the Constitutional Court and Emeritus Professor Hugh Corder, both of whom have played central roles in shaping South African public law. Their leadership is reflected in the scale and depth of the programme. The call for papers attracted around 200 abstracts from across the world, from which approximately 80 papers have been selected for presentation. This breadth ensures a rich and diverse set of perspectives, spanning doctrinal, theoretical, comparative and empirical approaches.
A major highlight of the conference is the exceptional line up of keynote speakers. The opening keynote will be delivered by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, who will speak on judicial leadership in a constitutional democracy. Her address sets the tone for a programme that foregrounds the role of the judiciary at a time of expectation coupled with scrutiny.
Further keynote sessions will bring together senior judicial figures and leading scholars from across multiple jurisdictions. Chief Justices from South Africa, Kenya and other Commonwealth countries will participate alongside judges of international courts and prominent academics. Topics include (amongst others) judicial independence and accountability; the evolving relationship between public international law and domestic systems; and reflections on three decades of South African constitutionalism. The closing keynote will return to the central theme of the conference, considering how public law can respond to contemporary global uncertainty.
Participants can also expect engagement with a wide range of pressing issues. These include the future of the separation of powers, the impact of populism and nationalism on democratic institutions, the regulation of executive authority, and the implications of technological change. Questions of inequality, environmental justice, and the protection of fundamental rights will feature prominently. Across these discussions runs a shared concern with how public law can serve as a safeguard against democratic erosion while remaining responsive to changing social and political conditions.
Beyond the formal sessions, the conference offers valuable opportunities for connection and collaboration. It brings together participants from jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, India, Kenya, Australia and New Zealand, creating space for meaningful comparative dialogue. For emerging scholars and doctoral students, the conference offers dedicated panels and the Richard Hart Prize as further avenues for engagement and recognition.
At this global juncture, there are few more appropriate settings for these conversations than South Africa. Thirty years after the end of apartheid, the country remains a vital site for examining both the possibilities and the limits of constitutional democracy. The 2026 Public Law Conference invites participants to grapple with these questions in a rigorous and collegial environment, and to contribute to shaping the future direction of public law in an uncertain world.