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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Laws in Law of Contracts 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73990  Master of Laws in Law of Contracts 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the following benefits:
  • Being equipped intellectually and obtaining an enhanced insight into the legal basis, which informs, influences and circumscribes the interpretation and drafting of contracts.
  • Obtaining a high-level competence to master the legal dimensions of the interpretation and drafting of contracts.
  • Acquiring and developing advanced research and formulation skills which enable learners to apply the law and principles relating to the interpretation and drafting of contracts in an expert fashion.
  • Being enabled to demonstrate analytical and interpretative competencies in the application of the law that provides learners with a deeper understanding of the interpretation and drafting of contracts, against the background of the commercial and social environment.
  • Obtaining the ability to compare and evaluate the scientific and applied relevance of legal and non-legal data.
  • The acquisition of a capacity for the pursuit of further Postgraduate multi-disciplinary learning and learning in law.
  • Enhanced employment opportunities and entrepreneurial skills.

    Rationale:
    The law of contract plays a fundamental part in the world of everyday commerce. The vast majority of obligations that occur in the commercial sphere are contractual. Contracts provide the ultimate source of regulation which enables business people to determine the various relationships in which they are involved. Bad drafting is a major source of interpretational difficulties and disputes that arise in the context of the law of contract, resulting in a severe strain being placed on the administration of justice and millions of Rands being spent on litigation and other dispute resolution procedures. This qualification will benefit society by providing high-level specialists who are able to make a substantial contribution towards the understanding of legal principles underlying the interpretation and drafting of contracts as well as providing quality advice concerning the interpretation and drafting of contracts as a result of the development of advanced competencies. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Learners who do not meet the formal entry requirements for the qualification may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning and for admission on the basis thereof. Prior learning can include prior qualifications, other prior formal, informal and non-formal learning as well as relevant work experience. If admission is granted, learners must undertake to comply with all the conditions that may be set with a view to promoting successful studies.

    Through Recognition of Prior Learning, a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status on condition that she or he continues her or his studies at this university. Recognition of Prior Learning in the case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the University concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. For this post-graduate qualification, recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning by the Faculty takes place in terms of an assessment procedure. This procedure includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee, which takes the final decision.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Laws, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 180 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify, analyse, comment on and solve advanced contracts law and associated problems based on a relevant theoretical framework and reflect on the process of problem-solving.
    2. Work in a team or group and reflect on and integrate their own participation.
    3. Demonstrate an ability for self-study, self-discipline, initiative, independent assessment and ability to write a dissertation or present a seminar.
    4. Demonstrate their ability to plan and conduct advanced research, and be capable of giving a scientific account of and apply the knowledge in the area of contracts law that has been gained through literature study.
    5. Demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in the course of practising law at an advanced level, and in the process of undertaking high-level research.
    6. Demonstrate their ability to utilise science and technology effectively in the course of the study, research and writing required by the qualification.
    7. Demonstrate their ability to comprehend the interrelatedness of the contracts law with other fields and with society in general.
    8. Demonstrate their ability to independently and innovatively undertake high-level research and reflective studies.
    9. Show a greater awareness and knowledge of societal issues, in particular with regard to the drafting of contracts, thereby enhancing their social responsibility as citizens.
    10. Demonstrate a well-developed sensitivity for cultural and aesthetic realities in society.
    11. Access advanced employment opportunities, particularly in the areas of the law relating to contracts.
    12. Demonstrate the application of entrepreneurial skills in the practice of law at an advanced level, and in the undertaking of high-level research of contracts law. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate, in written or oral form, an ability to identify, analyse and solve high-level problems relating to the interpretation and drafting of contracts.
  • Solve relevant legal problems relating to the interpretation and drafting of contracts by skillfully identifying, analysing, and commenting thereon.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Display an ability to function effectively in and lead a high-level team.
  • Demonstrate the ability to participate effectively in debating solutions and approaches to particular legal problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Undertake independent research and writing at an advanced level.
  • Analyse related legal problems relating to the interpretation and drafting of contracts and their solutions independently.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Display an ability to conduct a high-level research project successfully.
  • Define a particular related topic, arrange the subject matter coherently, accurately and succinctly reflect, formulate and interpret scholarly opinion on the topic.
  • Identify particular problem areas and develop a clear line of argument by means of analysis and interpretation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Advise clients on the legal implications of and on solutions for particular problems and questions relating to the interpretation and drafting of contracts.
  • Write a high-level research report in which problems relating to the interpretation and drafting of contracts are identified, analysed and discussed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Utilise written and electronic data in writing a report/assignment and the dissertation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Participate in a seminar on the implications of relevant legal information concerning the interpretation and drafting of contracts.
  • Report on a coherent approach towards problem-solving and policy-making relating to the interpretation and drafting of contracts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Undertake advanced research and write a dissertation on a law topic relating to the interpretation and drafting of contracts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Debate the impact on society in general, and on certain interest groups in particular, of related legal provisions and principles relating to the interpretation and drafting of contracts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Reveal an ability to distil moral and cultural values underlying related realities in society relating to the interpretation and drafting of contracts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
  • Display an awareness as to how the qualification may be utilised to access the labour market.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:
  • Display an ability to develop and maintain a career in law.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The assessment seeks to:
  • Assess learner performance in order to determine whether learners comply with assessment criteria.
  • Encourage and guide the improvement of learner performance.

    Assessment is therefore based on the principle of continuous and regular assessment and complete and prompt feedback. Because assessment practices must be open, transparent, fair, valid, reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, an integrated assessment approach is incorporated into the qualification. Both formative and summative assessment processes are accounted for to monitor progress during the programme and to determine competence at the end of the programme.

    Formative (continuous) assessment practices that will be implemented:
  • Formative assessment is aimed at the development of a life-long learning culture based on continuous self-study. More particularly, in this qualification, formative assessment aims at the preparation of learners for writing an examination of each module and for writing a quality dissertation. Formative assessment is conducted by class discussions, seminars, assignments, and the writing of the dissertation. Discussion of assignment and examination results and questions and other forms of feedback are an integral and critical part of the assessment.
  • Regular meetings between the learners and their study leaders take place during which all aspects pertaining to the preparation for and drafting of the research dissertation or the high-level knowledge of relevant topics dealt with in the course of the qualification, and of the research topic gained from the research into the topic and from the scholarly writing thereon. The purpose is to demonstrate a reflective and scholarly understanding of contracts law and the research topic. In conjunction with formative assessment, summative assessment determines whether the learner is awarded the qualification. In the summative assessment, the four modular examinations and the final dissertation is submitted to and are examined by not less than two examiners. The qualification is obtained if the learner passes all four modular examinations and the dissertation.
  • As a further demonstration of the learner's ability in this regard, the learner may be required to submit an article based on the dissertation which may, at the discretion of the study leader, be submitted for publication in a law journal under the name of the learner or the names of both the learner and the study leader.

    Summative (final) assessment practices:
    Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the Exit-Level Outcomes, will be done employing:
  • Both in the examinations at the end of each module and in the minor dissertation, learners are assessed on their ability to integrate prior knowledge gained in preceding studies with a deeper, high-level knowledge of relevant topics dealt with in the course of the qualification, and of the research topic gained from the research into the topic and from the scholarly writing thereon. The purpose is to demonstrate a reflective and scholarly understanding of the interpretation and drafting of contracts and the research topic. In conjunction with formative assessment, summative assessment determines whether the learner is awarded the qualification. In the summative assessment, the four modular examinations and the final dissertation are submitted to and are examined by not less than two examiners. The qualification is obtained if the learner passes all four modular examinations as well as the dissertation.
  • As a further demonstration of the learner's ability in this regard, the learner may be required to submit an article based on the dissertation which may, at the discretion of the study leader, be submitted for publication in a law journal under the name of the learner or the names of both the learner and the study leader. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    There are no comparable qualifications in the international arena. These qualifications tend to focus on specialised areas in contract law, but do not address all the areas of contracts in one qualification as does this qualification. No comparison could be made. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Laws, NQF Level 9
  • Master of Law in Intellectual Property Law, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Laws in Law of Contracts, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Johannesburg 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.