ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  Normal Entry

To qualify for normal entry into the Bachelor of Laws Honors Degree programme, acandidate must satisfy the minimum requirements as prescribed under the General  Regulations and in addition, the candidate must have passed the English Language with at least a B or better at ‘O’ Level, and must also have obtained a pass in ‘A’ Level English Literature or History and any two ‘A’ Level subjects from the Humanities, Social Sciences, Commercials or Sciences.

Special and Mature Entry

Refer to the General Regulations.

DURATION

The program shall normally be completed over a period of ten semesters on a full- time basis.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

•  A candidate is required to register for a minimum of eight modules per year.
•  The Work Related Learning level is worth one hundred and twenty (120) credits.

ASSESSMENT

•   Evaluation of students shall normally be based on continuous assessment as well as formal university examinations that are held at the end of each semester.
•  Continuous Assessment will account for 30% of the overall assessment.
•  The final examination accounts for 70% of the overall assessment.
• Departments shall determine which items will be included in the continuous assessment and shall define the relevant weighting to each item.
•  To be admitted to the examinations, a candidate must; be a registered student of the University in accordance with the General Regulations.
•         Have satisfactorily attended and completed the approved modules of study. Satisfactory completion of modules shall require submission of written assignments and tests that constitute the continuous assessment.
•         Have attended and participated in seminars, tutorials and practical classes, work-related learning placement and other activities as stated by the Regulations.

Level 1 Semester 1 (All modules are compulsory)

Code	Module Name	Credits
LB131	Introduction to Law	12
CS131	Basics of Communication Skills	12
HCS135	Introduction to Information Technology	12
LB138	Interpretation of Statutes	12
LB133	History of Roman-Dutch Law	12

Level 1 Semester 2

Code	Module Name	Credits
LB136	Criminal Law	12
LB137	Constitutional Law	12
LB139	Family Law	12

Level 2 Semester 1

Code	Module Name	Credits
LB202	Law of Evidence	12
LB109	Law of Delict	12
ENT131	Entrepreneurship 1	12
LB201	Criminal Procedure	12
LB203	Law of Property	12

Level 2 Semester 2

Code	Module Name	Credits
LB316	Administrative and Local Government Law	12
LB209	Gender and the Law	12
LB105	Contract Law	12
LB205	Civil Procedure (Lower Courts)	12
LB208	Public International Law	12

Level 3 Semester 1 (9 Compulsory modules plus 2 electives)

Code	Module Name	Credits
LB204	Commercial Law	12
LB207	Company and Corporate Law	12
LB303	Jurisprudence	12
LB306	Human Rights Law	12
LB320	Research Methods	12

Level 3 Semester 2

Code	Module Name	Credits
LB302	Accounting for Legal Practitioners	12
LB505	Clinical and Practical Skills Training	12
LB309	Labor and Employment Law	12
LB504	Civil Procedure (Superior Courts)	12

Level 4 Semester 1

Code	Module Name	Credits
LB404	Work Related Learning Report	30
LB405	Public Sector Assessment	30

Level 4 Semester 2

Code	Module Name	Credits
LB406	Work Related Learning Report 2	30
LB407	Private Sector Assessment	30

Level 5 Semester 1 (6 Compulsory modules plus 2 electives)

Code	Module Name	Credits
LB304	Conveyancing	12
LB310	Intellectual Property	12
LB313	Succession and Administration of Estates	12

Level 5 Semester 2

Code	Module Name	Credits
LB502	Notarial Practice	12
LB503	Professional Legal Ethics	12
LB501	Dissertation	24

Total Credits: 516

Elective Modules

Code	Module Name	Credits
LB311	Law of Insurance	12
LB312	Banking Law	12
LB315	Alternative Dispute Resolution	12
LB317	Law of Insolvency	12
LB318	International Humanitarian Law	12
LB319	International Business Transactions	12
LB323	Disability Rights	12
LB324	Child Law	12
LB325	International Criminal Law	12
LB520	Mining Law	12
LB521	Law of Taxation	12
LB523	Energy Law	12
LB524	E-Commerce	12
LB526	International Trade Law	12
LB527	International Investment Law	12
LB529	Advocacy	12
LB530	Mental Health Law	12
LB531	Medical Law	12
LB532	Professional Negligence Law	12
LB533	Social Security Law	12
LB534	Law and Development	12
LB536	Customary Law	12
LB537	Consumer Law	12
LB543	Criminology	12
LB544	Penology	12
LB546	Conflict of Laws	12
LB548	Environment Law	12
LB549	Law, Democracy & Good Governance	12
LB550	Biotechnology and Law	12
LB551	Media Law	12
LB552	Telecommunications Law	12
LB553	International Economic Law	12
LB554	Cyber Law	12
LB555	Securities Law	12
LB556	Space Law	12
LB557	Aviation Law	12

MODULE SYNOPSES

LB131 Introduction to Law

This course is the gateway to the study of law and introduces students to the theory of law, dealing with topics such as the concept of law, logical thinking and reasoning, justice, morality, research skills and writing, law and freedom, natural law, law, sovereignty and the state, the judicial process, law and custom, conceptual thinking and the law. Legal concepts and new challenging areas in law are explored such as legal problems and procedure, the nature of legal reasoning and law and development. The English Maxims or Principles of Equity shall be explained to students and an assessment of their relevance to our legal system shall be mad

CS131-Basics of Communication Skills

Refer to the Department of Communication Skills.

HCS135 – Introduction to Information Technology

Refer to the Department of Information and Marketing Sciences.

LB133 History of Roman-Dutch Law

This course charts the way for students into the nature of the Zimbabwean legal system, history and development of our legal system. It examines the subject from the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial perspectives. This enables students to appreciate the dichotomy of legal dualism in Zimbabwe and to suggest solutions to the problem. Thus, the concept of harmonization is explored. The sources of our law are discussed, together with a look at government institutions and their structures, in particular courts and their structures and procedures, legal reasoning and opinions. Roman Dutch Law is identified as the basis of our legal system together with the English Common Law and their impact in Southern Africa. The historical development of Roman-Dutch Law is traced and also its introduction to Zimbabwe. The component of Roman Law is explained by examining it from the historical perspective including its introduction and impact in Europe.

LB105 Law of Contract

Nature and scope of the contract; formation of contract – capacity, offer and acceptance, vitiating factors – mistake; consensus ad idem; void and voidable contracts; duress; caveat subscriptor; contracts in restraint of trade; transfer of contractual rights; breach of contract; remedies for breach of contract.

LB136 Criminal Law

Definition, function and purpose of criminal law; criminal courts; controversy over criminal jurisdiction of customary law courts; the burden of proof; types of crimes; punishment; the essential ingredients of a crime- wrongful act(actus reus) and mental element (mens rea); defenses to criminal charges-affecting the mental element and unlawfulness of the act; assisting the commission of a crime; specific crime; inchoate crimes; types of crimes against the person, property, the State; administration of justice, the dignity of the Head of State; jurisdiction over international crimes; Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.

LB137 Constitutional Law

Constitutional history and law of Zimbabwe; the Constitution of Zimbabwe; the separation of powers; sovereignty and independence; independence of the judiciary; democracy and the electoral process; the legislature; portfolio committees; the Executive; the Presidency; its authority and powers; the Cabinet; State functions; the judiciary; citizenship and nationality; human rights; the Commissions set up under the Constitution of Zimbabwe; capital punishment and the discrimination between men and women.

LB138 Interpretation of Statutes

The process of statutory interpretation, sources and history of statutory interpretation, common law rules, maxims, presumptions of statutory interpretation, internal aids to statutory interpretation, judicial function in the interpretation of statutes, the statute book and the interpretation of statutes, and interpretation of statutory instruments.

LB139 Family Law

The module deals with the nature and definition of marriage and matters attendant thereto. It goes further to discuss issues to deal with children.

 

LB109 Law of Delict

Genesis of the Law of Delict; the lex Aquila; the duty of care; fault; negligence; foresee ability and the reasonable person; causation; loss and remoteness of damages; defenses; assessing damages; vicarious liability; particular delicts; suing the state for delicts; the pauperian action; the action injuriarum; defamation; defenses; pleadings; injuries; delictual liability in insurance.

LB201 Criminal Procedure

Introduction; criminal procedure and human rights; pre-trial procedure; other powers of the police; arrest with and without warrant; use of force in effecting an arrest and in search and seizure; written notice; summonses; powers of civilians; warmed and cautioned statements and their confirmation; jurisdiction; other procedures leading to trial; verdict and sentencing; orders for compensation and restitution; review process; appeals; bail pending appeal.

LB202 Law of Evidence

Preliminary issues; the burden and standard of proof; presumptions, competence; compellability; examination; cross-examination; re-examination; similar fact evidence; character evidence; hearsay – the exclusionary rule; the exceptions; confessions and improperly obtained evidence in criminal cases; opinion evidence; judgments as evidence of facts on which they are based; corroboration and identification; privilege and public policy; criminal law and Evidence Act; legal research skills; fact management: preparation to proof; evidence in Customary Law Courts.

LB203 Law of Property

Introduction; real rights; personal rights corporeal and incorporeal; movables and immovable; acquisition and enjoyment of real rights; co-ownership; sectional title; servitudes; protection of real rights; vindication; spoliations; mortgage; pledge; lien. Aspects of property rights and land reform, and constitutional property law will be given adequate focus.

LB204 Commercial Law

The course deals with mercantile activities and Law; the contract of sale; consensus ad idem; the merx and the passing of ownership and risk; implied warranties; latent and patent defects; remedies; defenses; relief; special sales; auctions, FOB; CIF; FOR; lay-byes; hire purchase; international trade and financing; consumer protection; carriage of goods; aspects of banking and insurance law; law of negotiable instruments and other commercial documents; the law of agency.

LB205 Civil Procedure (Lower Courts)

Jurisdiction in civil actions; summons and service of summons; undefended actions; procedures to be followed by the parties in contested and uncontested actions; exceptions; debt collection procedures; payments into court; applications to strike off; judgments; applications; including interlocutory applications; judgments and their enforcement procedure in customary law courts.

LB207 Corporate and Company Law

Evolution and development of corporate and limited liability; the early ‘bubble’; private and public companies; the limited liability company; sham companies; lifting the corporate veil; promoting the company; duties and expenses of promoters; the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association; capital and shares; reduction of share capital; directors and their duties and liabilities; conduct of corporate meetings and proceedings; judicial management and winding up; insider dealing. Partnerships – definitions; history; types; sharing of partnership profits and loss; assets; other forms of voluntary organizations; dissolution.

LB208 Public International Law

This course deals with the general principles of international law. Specialized areas are dealt with separately in the programme. The divided world; definition; nature; history and development; sources; international and municipal law; subjects of international law/legal personality; recognition of states and government; state territory; state responsibility; treaties; the settlement of international disputes – peaceful and the use of force. A bird’s eye view of human rights law; armed conflict and international humanitarian law; international criminal law; the United Nations and other international and regional organizations.

LB209 Gender and the Law

Feminist theories; masculinities and gender; the concepts of equality and equity; the Constitution and equality; customary law and equality; gender and reproductive rights; gender and domestic violence; gender and sexual harassment; gender and sex work; gender and health; gender and labor law; gender and the criminal justice system; gender and family law; women in the legal profession; national and international instruments governing gender equality; law reform, including affirmative action.

ENT131 Entrepreneurship 1

Refer to the department of Entrepreneurship.

LB302 Accounting for Legal Practitioners

The course is intended to train students in accounting principles and procedures relevant to legal practitioners and practice and to Trust Accounts regulations and by-laws in keeping with the requirements of the provisions of the Legal Practitioners’ Act and related legislation. Liability of commercial banks for clients’ funds deposits raided by the Reserve Bank or other government institutions from the banks without depositors’ consent.

LB303 Jurisprudence

Legal philosophy; legal theory; natural law and positivist theories of law; indigenous perspectives; critique of classical natural law and positivism; critical legal theories; Marxist theories of law; other theories; philosophy of ubuntu/ unhu and the total person and the law; origins of law, state and government; sociological jurisprudence, feminist jurisprudence, legal realism, legal realism.

LB304 Conveyancing

The module imparts knowledge about the Land Registration system in Zimbabwe, drafting documents such as Deeds of Transfer, Mortgage Bonds, Power of Attorney, Subdivisions and Consolidations as required by the Deeds Registries Act [Chapter 20:05].

LB306 Human Rights Law

Introduction; sources; the internal legal system and human rights under the Constitution of Zimbabwe; the role of the United Nations; the International Bill of Rights; the Three Generations of Rights; group rights; crimes against the dignity of mankind; the Rome Treaty 1998; human rights and Indigenous laws; the International Criminal Court. The law of armed conflict, Geneva Conventions of 1948 and additional Protocols, the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the rights of civilians and military personnel in an armed conflict.

LB306 Labour & Employment Law

Historical background; employer/employee relations; contents of labour law; capitalism and labour; the contract of employment – formation and termination; kinds of labour; trade unions and employers’ unions; collective bargaining; industrial actions; safety at work; workers’ rights and entitlements; labour courts; jurisdiction of the Labour Court; paradox of the jurisdiction of the Labour Court and High Court in labour matters and relevant legislation; labour rights under the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

LB310 Intellectual Property Law

The law regulating copyrights, patents, trademarks, and traditional knowledge. Legal import of the

Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act and other legislation regulating patents and trademarks locally, regionally and internationally. The role of the African Regional and Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

LB311 Insurance Law

The module equips students with a comprehensive knowledge of the law of insurance in Zimbabwe. It examines the nature and formation of the contract, insurable interest, and duty of good faith warranties, agency, and subrogation, duration of the contract, life and third-party insurance.

LB312 Banking Law

The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the banking law, relationship between banking practice and law and the practical application of banking law.

LB313 Law of Succession and Administration of Estates

This course seeks to explore testamentary and non-testamentary succession both under customary law and general law. It will further look into the rights of out-of-wedlock children to inherit from their fathers’ estates. Also, it looks at the process of the administration of an estate from the stage of registration to the stage of the winding up of the estate and the role of an executor/executrix as well as the Master of the High Court. Examination of the general law of succession and relevant statutory provisions, general law and statutes governing the administration of estates; customary law relating to succession and administration of estates; testate and intestate succession; registration of deaths; presumption of death; types of wills; capacity to make wills; requirements for valid wills; codicils; revocation of wills; interpretation of wills; administration of estates; inheritance and testate and intestate succession; legacies; conditional bequests; succession and polygamous unions; spouses and issues under general law and customary law; statutory law.

LB315 Alternative Dispute Resolution

The module is designed to introduce students to the various approaches to dispute resolution. It identifies and critically discusses approaches such as negotiations, mediations, arbitration, mini-trials, and summary jury trials. 

LB316 Administrative and Local Government Law

This course seeks to equip law students with the knowledge of administrative law and the right to administrative justice as provided for in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and other pieces of legislation. Administrative law consists of rules that are recognized by courts of law which relate to administrative action. Administrative law deals with rules which are not strictly law- e.g. ministerial circulars and memoranda, and public corporations’ decisions. The course will therefore deal with both legal and non-legal rules.

LB317 Law of Insolvency

The module discusses the history of the law of insolvency in Zimbabwe. It makes reference to the Insolvency Act of Zimbabwe and discusses the practical ways of declaring a legal person or entity insolvent.

LB318 International Humanitarian Law

The module deals with the various roles, principles and customs of International Humanitarian Law which applies during international and internal armed conflicts.

LB319 International Business Transactions

The module imparts an understanding of and ability to analyse the fundamental legal concepts, principles and theories relating to certain major aspects of international business law such as export sales/international sale of goods, transportation and finance implications, marketing operations abroad, mergers and acquisitions and dispute settlement and mechanisms.

LB323 Disability Rights 

The module examines disability as a legal category with implications for the rights of PWDs. It introduces various concepts and theories of disability and examines how law constructs and regulates the lives of PWDs. The module also encompasses an analysis of the national, regional and international frameworks for the realization of disability rights.

LB324 Child Law

The module introduces students to children’s rights and addresses several issues that are not covered in other related modules such as family law, succession and criminal law. It examines various legal instruments at international, regional and domestic levels. It identifies and establishes the protection of children’s rights at the international, regional and national levels.

LB325 International Criminal Law

The module will cover both substantial and procedural aspects of international criminal law. Under substantive aspects, the module will cover a capita selecta of important international crimes such as crimes against humanity and genocide. Under the procedural aspects, the module will cover aspects of direct and indirect enforcement of the ICL rulings. 

LB501 Dissertation

The meeting of the term dissertation shall be defined in the General Regulations. A student is required to submit a dissertation of not less than 10,000 words and not more than 12,000 words. The student shall choose a topic in law to write on and be supervised by a lecturer of his/her own choice. The topic and supervisor are subject to approval by the Head of the relevant department.

LB502 Notarial Practice

The module introduces students to notarial practice and teaches them how to draft notarial documents and how to lodge the same with the Deeds Registry. The documents include the Deeds for Change of Name, Deed of Trusts, and Notarial Covering Bonds etc.

LB503 Professional Legal Ethics

Introduction and definitions; ethics relevant to the practice of law; professional ethics and regulations; professional conduct; moral philosophy; social theory; sociology of the legal profession; public law theories of regulation. Basic skills of advocates; opening and closing speeches; advocacy in action; effective communication; the art of advocacy.

LB504 Civil Procedure (Superior Courts)

This course deals with procedures in the High Court, Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. Matters to be dealt with include jurisdiction, parties to action, processes and procedures leading to judgments; appeals; contested and uncontested matters; appearance to defend; pleadings; discovery; pre-trials; set down; trial; applications; costs and taxation; and execution.

LB505 Clinical and Practical Skills Training

The module introduces students to the practical elements of legal practice, focusing as it does on interviewing; research skills; legal writing and drafting; researching agreements and dispute resolution; and advocacy – the ‘DRAIN’ competencies = Drafting; Research; Advocacy; Interviewing; Negotiation.

LB520 Mining Law

The module focuses on broad terms such as mine health and safety, mining and the environment, exploration and mining, and miscellaneous issues. In addition, concepts such as duty of care, enabling legislation, safety management systems, the role of risk management, the role of the regulator, and mining laws in developing countries, industrial law and other issues are also dealt with.

LB521 Law of Taxation

Focus on the tax system in Zimbabwe which involves “Gross Income” and “Taxable Income”.  It also covers topics such as exemptions, deductions, rebates, computation of normal tax liability, the taxation of married women and minor children, special provisions relating to companies, donations tax, tax invasions, objections and appeals.

LB524 E-Commerce

The module provides students with an intensive survey of technologies used to support all aspects of electronic business and how these technologies interact and the law that regulates the use of these technologies.

LB526 International Trade Law

The module deals with the rules of international trade governing the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Regional Trade Law from a developing country’s perspective. It analyses the fundamental legal concepts, principles, theories and their relationship to International Trade Law practice.

LB527 International Investment Law

The module introduces students to international investment law.  It explores the history of international investment law, the sources, bilateral investment treaties, duties and rights of host state and investor, multilateral agreement on investment and dispute settlement.

LB529 Advocacy

The module is aimed at equipping students with the relevant knowledge, skills and values in procedural law and practice.  It enables law graduates to apply research, argumentation, and writing skills and use practical evidence in certain areas of substantive law relevant to practice in Zimbabwe.

LB530 Mental Health Law

The module identifies and analyses legal issues encountered by people with mental health challenges. In addition, it critically evaluates aspects of the operation of mental health law in its historical, socio-economic and political contexts, including the legal (rights-based) and medical approaches.

LB531 Medical Law

The module aims at investigating a range of areas of law which are of topical interest but which are not otherwise specifically addressed in the Medical Law.

LB532 Professional Negligence Law

The module examines the different fast-growing areas of specialists. It looks at the nature and definition of professions, the general legal and regulatory principles and their application to selected professions.

LB533 Social Security Law

The module introduces students to the requirements of a properly functioning social security system. It also explains how social security legislation is structured in Zimbabwe. The module makes reference to case law in interpreting the social security law.

LB534 Law and Development

The focus of this module is not only on law as written rules but also on customary law, norms, practices and issues of enforcement in relation to development.

LB536 Customary Law

Customary Law is the other but often ignored part of the Zimbabwean Legal dualism. Its place, practical and constitutional, in the Zimbabwean legal system is highlighted. The indigenous procedures and substantive rules applied in customary law courts are critically examined in such areas as the family, property, inheritance, land, communal use of land, women, assumption of traditional leadership, the hierarchy of the courts, and treatment of strangers. Human rights under customary law are dealt with in the course. The Constitution of Zimbabwe will be referred to in determining the status of customary law in our legal system. Regional variations, if any, in ‘customary laws’, will be identified and a brief contrast with other African customary laws will be made. Finally, the future of customary law in our legal system shall be assessed.

LB537 Consumer Law

The module discusses the rationale for consumer law and the different forms of regulating consumer markets.

LB543 Criminology

The module examines the classical theories of positivism and modern biological theories. It also deals with the various concepts of crime and the environment, atomic theory, subcultures and gangs, conflict and critical criminology.

LB544 Penology

The module evaluates general theories regarding crime control. It also highlights the functions of the Zimbabwe Prison System.  It also examines criminal statistics and explores the need for public participation in the criminal justice process as well as the alternative punishment systems.

LB546 Conflict of Laws

The module examines the nature and scope of the law.  It explores the historical development, jurisdiction, the choice of law in selected topics including delict, contract and actions involving judgments sounding in money, immovable property, and incorporeal and matrimonial matters.

LB548 Environmental Law

The module puts more emphasizes on the right to a clean environment as a third-generation right.  It analyses the Environmental Management Act where Zimbabwe is seeking to domesticate the International Environmental Instruments.  Furthermore, the module highlights major themes and principles and provides practical examples of environmental law.

LB549 Law, Democracy and Good Governance

Module is meant for those with an interest in a deeper understanding of constitutional issues.  It will focus on Democracy and Good Governance.

LB550 Biotechnology and Law

The module introduces students to the legal regulation of sciences especially biotechnology. It examines the theories of regulation and goes on to consider the ethical and safety considerations of the use of biotechnology.  Furthermore, it considers the issue of patenting of biotechnological inventions, including University patents.

LB551 Media Law

The module provides a succinct and lucid introduction to all areas of the law relating to printing, broadcasting and electronic media.  It offers practical and well-referenced insight into key media issues.

LB552 Telecommunications Law

The module focuses on the legal implications surrounding Information Technology and Telecommunications.  It covers the legal aspects of Information security, liability, intellectual property, e-commerce, telecommunications and access to public information.

LB553 International Economic Law

The module deals with international economic governance.  It begins with a brief introduction to economics and then deals in depth with the law governing the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organization.  It also deals with International Investment Law.

LB554 Cyber Law

The module deals with the internet, cyberspace, and their respective legal issues. Cyber law encompasses several subtopics including freedom of expression, access to and usage of the internet, and online privacy.

LB555 Securities Law

The module seeks to consider and evaluate in detail the main topics within securities law. It concerns the role and regulation of capital markets: the Exchanges and the variety of other institutions devoted to the trading of securities, the economic theory that explains how capital markets operate and the incentives that motivate their various players. These beginning segments lay the groundwork for a more informed discussion of the substantive law that governs capital markets which the module seeks to address.

LB556 Space Law

This module provides an introduction and overview of aviation and space law, international and domestic. After reviewing what “space” means physically and legally, the module examines the origins and development of international space law in international treaties and agreements and the purported underlying policy consensus relating to peaceful exploration for the benefit of all humankind. Much of the focus is on the recent decades of space activity, the more recent nature of international space law and the fast-developing national laws competitively supporting and governing the increasing private-sector participation in space. Critical legal and policy issues are considered relating to space-based natural resources extraction and ownership on the Moon, planets and asteroids, human settlements, in-space manufacturing, space debris and other environmental concerns

LB558 Aviation Law

The course provides an overview of the basic fundamentals of international aviation law with a particular focus on air service agreements, open skies agreements, traffic rights, the legal and institutional framework of international aviation and the roles and functions of principal organizations involved in the regulation of the aviation industry.