University of Pretoria in world top 100 for Law

The University of Pretoria (UP) has been ranked 92nd in the world for law, according to the latest Times Higher Education Law subject ranking, published today. It is the only local university in the top 100.

‘We are delighted that UP’s Faculty of Law has received this recognition. This is a tribute to the culture of excellence we maintain as an institution,’ said Prof Stephanie Burton, Vice-Principal for Research and Postgraduate Education.

Currently, three UP law professors serve as international experts to the United Nations in Geneva. Prof Dire Tladi (Department of Public Law) is a member of the UN International Law Commission. Prof Ann Skelton (Department of Private Law) is director of the University’s Centre for Child Law and is a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Prof Christof Heyns (Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa) is a member of the UN Human Rights Committee.

UP also benefits from the expertise of internationally acclaimed law experts who either teach or hold extraordinary positions. These include John Dugard, who served as an ad hoc judge of the International Court of Justice, Prof Erika de Wet, who holds the SARCHi Chair in International Constitutional Law and Prof Danny Bradlow, who holds the Chair of the South African National Research Foundation, dealing with International Economic Relations and  who also heads the International Development Law Unit (IDLU).

The director of the Centre for Human Rights, Prof Frans Viljoen, is widely recognised as the leading world expert on human rights in Africa and the centre has established a strong footprint in Africa.

The faculty contributes to the main research themes of the University. In addition to collaborating with international bodies such as the AU, UN, the EU and the World Bank the Faculty has strong partnerships with a  host of international universities.

The Law Clinic is rated as one of the top law clinics of its kind in South Africa and in the world. It was awarded the Yousif Badri Civic Engagement International Prize (YBCEIP) by the Ahfad University for Women in Sudan in December 2016.

UP’s Faculty of Law includes the following departments, each of which contributes to the Faculty’s success:

• Centre for Human Rights
• Jurisprudence
• Mercantile Law
• Private Law
• Procedural Law
• Public Law

Source University of Pretoria