BACHELOR OF LAWS (LLB) (HONOURS)

Overview


1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 These regulations shall be read in conjunction with the General Academic Regulations for undergraduate degrees hereinafter referred to as the General Regulations.
1.2 The degree will be awarded to candidates who have successfully completed an approved programme and passed examinations in accordance with the General Regulations.


2. CAREER PROSPECTS

2.1 The Bachelor of Laws Honours Degree graduates can be employed as Legal Practitioners, Magistrates, Prosecutors, Legal Advisors and Company
Secretaries.

Entry Requirements

3. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Normal Entry

3.1.1 To qualify for normal entry into the Bachelor of Laws Honours Degree
programme, a candidate, must satisfy the minimum requirements as
prescribed under the General Regulations and in addition, the candidate
must have passed 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.
3.1.2 The following subject weighting shall be used in considering the
applicants:
Essential 3 points
English Literature, History
Relevant 2 points
Other Humanities, Commercials, Social Sciences
Desirable1 point,
Science Related subjects


3.2
Special Entry

3.2.1 Refer to section 3.2 of the General Academic Regulations


3.3
Mature Entry

3.3.1 Refer to Section 3.3 of the General Regulations.

4. DURATION

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


5. GENERAL PROVISIONS

5.1 A candidate is required to register for a minimum of four (4) modules per semester
5.2 The Work Related Learning level is worth forty (40) credits.
5.3 The Department may accept students discontinued from other degree programmes
on condition that they meet the entry requirements and subject to availability of
places.
5.4 At the end of the degree programme a student must have passed thirty seven
modules and Work Related Learning or have obtained one hundred and eighty
eight credits to graduate with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) [LLB] Degree.

Assessment

6. ASSESSMENT

6.1 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.
6.1.1 Continuous Assessment will account for 30% of the overall
assessment.
6.1.2 Final examination accounts for 70% of the overall sessment.
6.1.3 Departments shall determine which items will be included in the continuous
assessment and shall defne the relevant weighting to each item.
6.2 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 all
-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
in the Departmental Regulations.

7. FAILURE TO SATISFY THE EXAMINERS.

Refer to Section 9 of the General Regulations.

8. PROVISIONS FOR PROGRESSION

8.1 A maximum score of 50% will be awarded to a student who fails a module and is
allowed to retake/repeat.
8.2 For more Provisions on Progression refer to Section 8 of the General Academic
Regulations.

9. WORK RELATED LEARNING GENERAL GUIDELINES

9.1 Students proceed on supervised Work Related Learning in their Level 4 of study.
9.2 Once a student is on Work Related Learning with an organization approved by the
Faculty, he/she is not allowed to change/move to another organization without the
approval of the Faculty.
9.3 A student who moves from an organization that has been approved by the Faculty to
another organization without the approval of the Faculty shall be penalized by having
25% deducted from the fnal Work Related Learning mark that he/she would have
obtained.

590
9.6 Work Related Learning comprises two components,
placement at Magistrates’ Courts for six (6) months and law frms or private sector
for four (4) months.
9.7 Successful completion of Work Related Learning component at level IV is compulsory
for all candidates.
10. GRADING AND DEGREE CLASSIFICATION
Refer to Section 5 of the General Regulations.
11. DEGREE WEIGHTING
All levels carry equal weighting of 20%

Programme Structure


12. PROGRAMMESTRUCTURE

Level 1 Semester 1
All modules are compulsory

Code Module Description Credits
LB101 Introduction to Law 4
CS101 Basics of Communication Skills 2
LB103 History of Roman Dutch Law 4
HCS115 Introduction to Information Technology 2
LB108 Interpretation of Statutes 2
Level 1 Semester 2
LB105 Contract Law 4
LB106 Criminal Law 4
LB107 Constitutional Law 4
LB109 Law of Delict 4
Level 2 Semester 1
All Modules are compulsory
LB201 Criminal Procedure 4
LB202 Law of Evidence 4
LB203 Property Law 4
LB204 Commercial Law 4
ENT205 Entrepreneurship 1 4
Level 2 Semester 2
LB205 Civil Procedure 4
LB206 Family Law 4
LB207 Company Law 4
LB208 Public International Law 4
LB209 Gender and the Law 4

Level 3 Semester 1
7 Compulsory modules plus three electives

591

 

LB302 Accounting for Legal Practitioners 4
LB303 Jurisprudence 4
LB305 Law and Corporate Governance 4
LB306 Human Rights Law 4
 

 Elective modules
Level 3 Semester 2

LB304 Conveyancing 4
LB309 Labour Law 4
LB504 Advanced Civil Procedure 4
LB505 Clinical and Practical Skills Training 4


Elective module
Level 4 Semesters 1 and 2

LB401 Work Related Learning Report 15
LB402 Academic Supervisor’s Report 10
LB403 Employer’s Assessment Report 8
Level 5 Semester 1
4 Compulsory modules plus four electives
LB501 Dissertation 8

15

2 Elective modules
Level 5 Semester 2

 

LB501 Dissertation 8
LB502 Notarial Practice 2
LB503 Legal Ethics 2
2 Elective modules
Elective Modules (Subject to Availability of Lecturers)
LB310 Intellectual Property 4
LB311 Law of Insurance 4
LB312 Banking Law 4
LB313 Law of Succession 4
LB521 Law of Taxation 4
LB315 Alternative Dispute Resolution 2
LB316 Administrative and Local Government Law 4
LB317 Law of Insolvency 2
LB318 International Humanitarian Law 2
LB319 International Business Transactions 2
LB323 Disability Rights 2
LB324 Child Law 2
LB325
LB 549
LB 551
International Criminal Law
Law, Democracy & Good Governance
Media Law
2
LB 552
LB 553
LB520
Telecommunications Law
International Economic and Law
Mining Law
2

LB554  Computer Law  2 Credits
LB523  Energy Law 2 Credits
LB524 E-Commerce 4 Credits
LB526 International Trade Law 4 Credits
LB527 International Investment Law 2 Credits
LB529 Advocacy 2 Credits
LB530 Mental Health Law 2 Credits
LB531 Medical Law 2 Credits
LB532 Professional Negligence Law 2 Credits
LB533 Social Security Law 4 Credits
LB534 Law and Development 4 Credits
LB536 Customary Law 2 Credits
LB537 Consumer Law 2 Credits
LB543 Criminology 2 Credits
LB544 Penelogy 2 Credits
LB546 Conflict of Laws 2 Credits
LB548 Environment Law 4 Credits
LB550 Biotechnology and Law 2 Credits

 


MODULE SYNOPSES

LB101 – Introduction to Law
This module outlines the sources of law and explains in detail the Zimbabwean Legal System. It
also introduces students to aspects of the legal theory and the signifcance of the Roman DutchLaw within the Zimbabwean Legal System.

CS101-Basics of Communication Skills
Refer to the Department of Communication Skills.

HCS 115 Introduction to Information Technology
The Information Technology module aims to give students an understanding of the basics of
the computer and its processes. How to use computer systems to make their work easier in
their learning process and even after. It is also combined with the information literacy training
programme at the Midlands State University Library which is aimed at making students aware of
the limitless possibilities of information available to them. It also entails, basic Computer Concepts,
Data processing Cycle, Number System, Computer Arithmetic, Types of Computer, Computer
Peripherals, System Software and Application Software, Data Communications, Introduction to
Application Packages:- Word Processors, Spreadsheet, Graphics, etc.

LB105 – Contract
This module discusses the nature, scope of the law of contract, the history and the theory of contract.
It covers topics such as the formation of contract, elements of an agreement, offer and acceptance,
options, mistake and quasi-mutual assent, intention to create legally binding obligations, formalities,
void and voidable contracts – misrepresentation, duress, and undue influence.

LB106 – Criminal Law
The module covers the fundamental values of criminal law including the requirements for criminal
liability,
actus reus, mens rea, criminal capacity, general defences, consent, necessity, compulsion,
obedience to orders, private defences, impossibility, deminimus, mistake of fact, mistake of law,
criminal capacity. It also deals with inchoate crimes such as incitement, conspiracy, attempt and
the impact of constitutional values in Zimbabwe upon Criminal Law.

LB107 – Constitutional Law
This module introduces students to the general principles of constitutional law and to give them
a solid constitutional law background to enable them to study and analyse the salient features of
our constitution. The frst part of the module will cover the gateway issues, like the defnition
of constitutional law, sources of constitutional law, classifcations of constitutions, key concepts
in constitutional law and the constitutional history of Zimbabwe. The second part will focus on
Zimbabwean constitution and the principal organs of the state and the rationale behind the
trias
politica
doctrine. The third part will look at the Zimbabwean constitution, the state and individual
freedoms.

LB108 – Interpretation of Statutes
This module explores the rules of interpreting statutes with reference to case scenarios. It
discusses the principles of interpretation including types and techniques of interpretation, rules of
construction including primary, secondary and external aids, presumptions and makes reference
to the Interpretation Act.

LB109 – Law of Delict
This module deals with the nature of delict and its place in the legal system of Zimbabwe as well
as the delictual remedies available for delictual losses. It looks at the relationship between delict
and other branches of the law such as contract, criminal law and human rights law. The module
also discusses
actio legis acquiliae, actio injuriarum, burden of proof and prescription of delictual
claims.

LB201 – Criminal Procedure
This module provides a frm grasp of the basic ethics of criminal justices processes. In addition
it focusses on courts and jurisdiction on public and private prosecutions, securing attendance of
accused persons and witnesses, bail, arraignment and pleas, indictments and charges, trials review,
appeals and punishments and sentencing.

LB202 – Law of Evidence
This module focuses on the rules of evidence and admission of evidence in court matters. It
introduces the general concepts and sources of the law of evidence as well as the presentation and
the assessment of evidence. It also deals with legal concepts such as the degree of proof, judicial
notice, presumption, evidence of identity, admissibility and relevancy, documentary evidence,
estoppel, competence, compellability and privilege, suffciency of evidence corroboration.

LB203 – Property Law
This module discusses the various classes of things and distinguishes between real and personal
rights. It also deals with concepts of property law such as acquisition of ownership, the incidents
and limitations of ownership, co-ownership, possession, servitudes, real security, sectional
titles, share blocks and time sharing. The module goes further to analyse the legal effect of the
Constitution of Zimbabwe and legislation such as the Land Acquisition Act [Chapter 20:10] on the
common law rights of property owners.


LB204 – Commercial Law
This module establishes the common law principles of the law of sale. It deals with the nature
and defnition of contract of sale, the defnition of a thing, sold and price, ownership and risk,
the seller’s obligation and buyer’s remedies, buyer’s obligations and seller’s remedies. It also
discusses the law of hire purchase agreements, the sale of land and credit agreements.

LB205 – Civil Procedure
This module deals with the sources of the Zimbabwean civil procedure. It analyses the models
for resolving civil disputes by referring to the Magistrate Court Act and its rules and the Primary
Courts Act. It tackles on different aspects of Civil Procedure in Zimbabwe such as trials; rescission
and variation of judgments; appeals; enforcement of judgments, reviews and appeal procedure. It
also deals with the jurisdiction and procedure of the High Courts, the Magistrate Courts and the
Constitutional Court.

LB206 – Family Law
This module focuses on the law of husband and wife. It deals with the nature and defnition of
marriage; espousals and breach of promise; formation of marriage; consequence of marriage;
annulment, termination of marriage; the law of parent and child; legal regulation of sex,
contraception, sterilisation, abortion, and protection of the foetus. It goes further to discuss factors
affecting status, adoption, legitimacy, artifcial insemination, gender, domicile, custody and
guardianship, parental power, duty of support (maintenance), child abuse, child protection, legal
capacity of minors and proprietary rights of minors.

LB207 – Company Law
This module introduces students to the important legal structures of business enterprises. It
examines the law regulating conduct of business, the relationship between various players in
business legal entities such as companies, partnerships, private business corporations, parastatals
and co-operatives.

LB208 – Public International Law
This module equips learners with knowledge and insight into the principles of public international
law. It focuses on acquisition of statehood, recognition of states and governments, self-determination,
state sovereignty, domestic jurisdiction, aliens, extradition, immunities, treaties, crimes, enforcement
of international law, international institutions and the United Nations and its agencies.

LB209 – Gender and the Law
This module introduces students to gender and the law. Its emphasis is on constitutional rights,
personal status in law with particular reference to women and dual system of law, reproductive
rights, health care and welfare rights, women, work education and criminal law.

ENT205 – Entrepreneurship 1
Refer to department of Entrepreneurship

LB305 – Law and Corporate Governance
The aim of this module is to study corporate governance in its legal, fnancial and general business
contexts and to enable the students to develop a sound understanding of corporate governance
law and practice in a national and internationogical jurisprudence, legal realism, the rights theses,
Marxist theories of law and state and sociology of law.


LB304 – Conveyancing
This module imparts knowledge about the Land Registration system in Zimbabwe. It imparts
knowledge about how to draft documents such as Deeds of Transfer, Mortgage Bonds, Power of
Attorney, Subdivisions and Consolidations as required by the Deeds Registry Act.

LB306 – Human Rights Law
This module will provide students with the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge of the promotion
and protection of human rights by states primarily at the national level by way of the Bill of Rights
and its implementing legal framework. Students are taught that protection of human rights at the
national level is the primary responsibility of states with international mechanisms being secondary
in nature. Students will be introduced to sub-regional, regional and global human rights promotion
and protection by way of prevailing procedures and institutions established at that level to deal with
the subject. One of the most important outcomes is that students must be able to link the national and
international protection of human rights as complementary systems of protection.

LB309 – Labour law
This module focuses on the historical overview, the common law contract of employment and
collective bargaining. It analyses legislation such as the Labour Relations Act Chapter 28:01 as
amended and its regulations as well as the National Social Security Act with particular reference
to workers insurance and workman’s compensation. It also looks at the jurisdiction of the Labour
Court and the rules of procedure.

LB310- Intellectual property
This module is tailored to give an understanding of the key aspects of intellectual property law.
It examines the law of copyright, which primarily protects creative and entrepreneurial subject
matter such as books, art, music and flms. Furthermore, it focuses on key issues such as the
history of and justifcations for copyright; copyright subject matter; requirements for subsistence;
ownership and exploitation issues; infringement, defences and remedies and moral rights.

LB311 – Insurance Law
This 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
This module primarily focuses on the Zimbabwean domestic law of banking. It is designed to
equip students with a solid grounding in banking law as well as an understanding of the broader
social, economic and political issues underlying the rapid evolution that is presently taking place
in the banking industry. In addition, the module aims to provide students with an understanding of
the relationship between banking practice and law and the practical application of banking law.

LB313 – Law of Succession
This module introduces students to the law of Succession in Zimbabwe which includes intestate
and testate succession. It also deals with the history of the law of Succession in Zimbabwe, the
administration of estates, and the Customary Law perspective of succession law.

LB521 – Law of Taxation
This module equips students with an understanding of the tax system in Zimbabwe which involves
“Gross Income” and “Taxable Income”. It also deals with 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

LB315 – Alternative Dispute Resolution
The module is designed to introduce students to the various approaches to dispute resolution. It
identifes and critically discusses approaches such as negotiations, mediations, arbitration, minitrials, and summary jury trials.

LB316 – Administrative and Local Government Law
This module introduces students to administrative and local government law in Zimbabwe. It
looks at the nature, history, control and classifcation of Administrative powers, judicial control of
administrative powers, including the review power,
locus standi, remedies and the exclusion of the
power of review, state liability and state privilege. It also examines the role of local government,
local government acts, rules and regulations and the rules of natural justice

LB317 – Law of Insolvency
This 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
entities insolvent.

LB318 – International Humanitarian Law
This module deals with the various roles, principles and customs of International Humanitarian Law
which applies during international and internal armed conflicts. The module also tackles on issues
such as the theories of humanitarian law, contemporary relevance, sources, and applicability of
International Humanitarian Law, protected persons, methods and means of warfare, implementation
and enforcement of International Humanitarian Law.

LB319 – International Business Transactions
This 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 fnance implications, marketing operations
abroad, mergers and acquisitions and dispute settlement and mechanisms.

LB323 – Disability Rights
This module examines disability as a legal category with implications for the rights of PWDs.
Students will be introduced to various concepts and theories of disability and an examination of
how law both constructs and regulates the lives of PWDs. The ultimate goal is to provide students
with a legal, conceptual and practical understanding of the rights (and entitlements) of PWDs.

LB324 – Child Law
This 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 level. It identifes and establishes
the protection of children’s rights at the international, regional and national levels.

LB325 International Criminal Law
This 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.

LB502 – Notarial Practice
This 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 – Legal Ethics
This module focuses on the moral values of the legal fraternity such as a legal practitioner’s duty
to his client, colleagues, the courts and the public. The module exposes students to the drafting
of legal documents, briefng with the client, interviewing the client,
pro-deo defences, unopposed
actions, preparation and argument of appeals, opinions, advice on evidence, setting up a legal
practice, examination and cross-examination of witnesses
inter alia.

LB504 – Advanced Civil Procedure
This module imparts a comprehensive and practicable understanding of the Zimbabwean Judicial
system. It establishes jurisdiction of the High Court and the Supreme Court and evaluates the
Rules of the High Court and those of the Supreme Court.

LB505 – Clinical and Practical Skills Training
This module introduces students to the basic professional skills such as negotiating, legal drafting,
advocacy, offce management and practice skills.

LB520 – Mining Law
This module explores aspects of modern mining legislation and its impacts on the mining industry
and its stakeholders. 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.

LB554 Computer Law
This module introduces students to the law relating the use of computers. It relates to issues such
internet law, patent and copyright aspects of computer technology and software.

LB524 – E-Commerce
This 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
This module deals with the rules of international trade governing the Word Trade Organisation
(WTO) and Regional Trade Law from a developing countries’ perspective. It analyses the
fundamental legal concepts, principles, theories and their relationship to International Trade Law
practice.


LB527 – International Investment Law
This 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
This 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, writing
skills and use practical evidence in certain areas of substantive law relevant to practice in
Zimbabwe.

LB530 – Mental Health Law
This module identifes 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
This module aims at investigating a range of areas of law which are of topical interest but which
are not otherwise specifcally addressed in the Medical Law.

LB532 – Professional Negligence Law
This module examines the different fast-growing areas of specialist. It looks at the nature and
defnition 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
This module integrates colonial laws and indigenous legal systems including codifcation and
creation of courts, principles of African customary law. It also discusses various versions of
the traditional and modern Zimbabwean customary law such as family law, marriage, property,
succession, delict, contract, comparative analysis of post-colonial societies in Southern Africa,
comparison between customary law and Roman-Dutch Private Law.

LB537 – Consumer Law
The module discusses the rationale for consumer law and the different forms of regulating
consumer markets.

LB543 – Criminology
This 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, 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 the deeper understanding of constitutional issues. It
will focus on Democracy and Good Governance.

LB550 – Biotechnology and Law
This 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 consideration
on 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 of 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 implication 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
This module deals with international economic governance. It begins with a brief introduction to
economics and then deals in depth with law governing the World Bank, International Monetary
Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organisation. It also deals with International Investment Law.

LB501 – Dissertation
A student will be required to choose his or her own topic which will be approved by a supervisor
appointed by the Faculty Board. The student must then present a dissertation thereon in English
not exceeding 10 000 words, which should be a substantially researched chosen topic which makes
and defends given propositions.