Open Access
Legal pedagogy, practice and curriculum transformation: What does the future hold and look like?
Edited by Charles Maimela
2025
ISBN: 978-1-0672372-4-0
Pages: 965
Print version: Available
Electronic version: Free PDF available
About the publication
In an era marked by rapid technological innovation and complex socio-political shifts, legal education stands at a critical crossroads. This timely publication explores the imperative for a curriculum that is both responsive and resilient – capable of adapting to the evolving needs of students, institutions, and society at large. Blending theoretical analysis with practical insight, the book offers forwardthinking strategies to navigate the multifaceted challenges of curriculum transformation. Drawing on the lived experiences and reflections of law educators across diverse institutions, it provides a unique lens into how curriculum innovation can enhance teaching, learning, and research in the legal academy. More than a commentary, this book is a call to action – a vital resource for educators, academic leaders, and policymakers committed to ensuring the continued relevance, excellence, and social responsiveness of legal education in the 21st century.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
1 ‘I don’t want to be a lawyer’ – redefining success metrics in legal education via holistic development and diverse career pathways
Dr Liesl Hager
2 Artificial intelligence, legal education and the imperatives of thinking and human judgment
Ms Lizelle le Roux
3 The integration of technology into the legal curriculum: Issues and way forward
Mr Jacob Mangena & Adv Mafanywa Mangammbi
4 Contextual legal education: An artificial intelligence intervention for practical law students
Mrs Samantha Getsos
5 Integrating artificial intelligence to transform legal education in South Africa
Dr Shadi Maganoe
6 The future of legal education in South Africa: Transformative impacts of artificial intelligence on pedagogy, practice and curriculum development
Mr Tanaka Dakacha
7 A lecturer’s reflection upon student undergraduate and postgraduate assessment submissions using ChatGPT and proposing a guideline forward of responsible use of ChatGPT through international comparative considerations
Prof R Baboolal-Frank, Ms Roxanne Allan, Ms Dunga Mashilo & Ms Koketso Moshira
8 The silent trade-off: Unveiling the hidden costs of artificial intelligence integration in higher education
Ms Lucinda Kok
9 Reimagining legal education by engaging law students through innovative learning
Adv Inez Bezuidenhout & Dr Jacques Matthee
10 A collaborative approach to developing LLB students’ critical reading, thinking and writing capacities
Dr Jean Moore
12 Peer mentorship and ubuntu philosophy: A South African perspective
Dr Allison Geduld & Prof Puseletso Letete
13 Enhancing critical thinking skills in legal education: A pathway to effective legal practice
Mr Selebaleng Deka & Dr Isaiah Sefoka
14 The chaotic classroom: Deconstructive divergence and the teaching of the law of obligations
Prof Steve Cornelius
15 Empowering future legal professionals: A call for innovative assessment in legal education
Ms Martha Fakude
16 Integrating experiential learning in law curriculum: Prospects and pitfalls
Ms Naum Kgosana & Dr Precious Sihlangu
17 Assessing the effectiveness of modularisation in the teaching of clinical legal education in the Faculty of Law at Midlands State University
Ms Chengetai E. Hamadziripi & Dr Rosemary Guvhu
18 Street law – integrating community engagement into teaching and learning: A UKZN School of Law case study
Dr Janine Hicks
19 Enhancing legal education through community engagement: Merging experiential learning for comprehensive legal training
Prof Gerda van Niekerk & Miss Bella Ngobeni
20 Evaluation of the drivers of high medico-legal claims and proposition of legal teaching approaches for curriculum transformation
Mrs Kedibone Kgosana
21 Understanding statelessness through an educational lens: Enhancing higher education curricula
Dr Yeukai Mahleza
22 Teaching consumer protection law as a standalone module in South Africa: A case for curriculum transformation
Dr Phemelo Magau, Ms Salina Govindsamy & Prof Tanya Woker
23 Ex post facto environmental authorisation in South Africa: Comparative insights and implications for environmental law, pedagogy and curriculum reform
Dr Tiisetso Rantlo
24 Exploring the duty of South African higher education institutions to integrate gender minorities as part of an inclusive pedagogy in the university classroom: A legal and policy perspective
Dr Vhonani Neluvhalani-Caquece & Ms Mulweli Mukhithi
25 An evaluation of legal teaching methodologies for the purpose of promoting an engaging and inclusive learning environment
Dr Precious Sihlangu & Adv Mafanywa Mangammbi
26 Inclusive legal education for students with disabilities in Zimbabwe: A qualitative case study
Ms Sally-Anne Yeukai Hungwe & Dr Rosemary Guvhu
27 An analysis of the African concept of infusing ‘Lentswe la mohu le agelwa morako’ in the freedom of testation
Mr Patrick Matsemela
28 Integrating indigenous knowledge systems and interdisciplinary perspectives into legal curricula and legal education– constitutional values, ubuntu, and professional signature
Dr Irene Hutten-Broekhuijse & Prof Roxan Laubscher
29 Reimagining native reality, worldview and legal capital through the advancement of community cultural wealth in teaching customary law
Dr Lesetja Monyamane
30 Decolonising the South African legal curriculum: Challenges and prospects
Ms Cherity Mathe & Adv Mafanywa Mangammbi
31 The personal is political (and institutional): The marginalisation of black women in academia
Dr Lorette Arendse
32 Decolonising legal curricula: Strategies, challenges, and opportunities for inclusivity
Mr Phathutshedzo Nthabalala
33 The intricacies of masters and doctoral study: A deep dive on support structures in postgraduate studies in South Africa
Prof Itumeleng Tshoose & Adv Tokyo Nevondwe
34 Rethinking research methods curriculum in law schools: Lessons from investigating contracting practices of burial societies in Cape Town
Dr Sinikiwe Mzezewa & Ms Lelethu Nogwavu
35 Criticism levelled at contemporary law research practices: Can our law teachers learn any lessons?
Dr Ferdinand Kehrhahn
36 Reimagining legal supervisory design to deliver esponsive legal scholars in a South African context
Dr Anthea-lee September-Van Huffel
37 An analysis of the evolution of ethics in legal education
Mrs Natalie Martin
38 Promoting ethical research culture in pursuit of a fruition legal postgraduate supervision practices
Prof Isaiah Sefoka
39 The feasibility of fee free practical vocational training in South Africa: Prospects and challenges
Ms Bridget Nkalanga & Prof Isaiah Sefoka
41 Enhancing legal education in South African high schools: A need to incorporate law subject in the high school curriculum
Mr Bhekimuzi Zwane & Dr Lesetja Monyamane
42 Understanding the constitutional right to protest as a tool for social justice
Mr Stanley Malematja
43 Analysis of the two-pot retirement system and its implications on the system of social security in South Africa
Adv Kamogelo Rammai, Adv Lufuno Nevondwe & Mr Konanani Raligilia
44 The legal interpretations of section 37(c) of the Pension Funds Act 24 of 1956 and monies payable upon the death of the deceased’s member of a retirement fund
Adv Lufuno Nevondwe & Adv Kamogelo Rammai