Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Location: Mukono Campus
The Faculty of Law vision is tied to the greater vision of the entire university. In particular, the Faculty of Law is dedicated to providing instruction to students in the legal field and develop a hub of legal scholarship and research facilities for students and interested academics and researchers from Uganda, the countries of East Africa and beyond.
We endeavor to train lawyers with a difference, that is, those that are well grounded in law and are morally upright
CAREER PROSPECTS
Legal education at the Faculty of Law is tailored to prepare the product (graduating student) to fit into social life in order to contribute to social development in various capacities. In that regard, the curriculum at the Faculty is designed to expose the student to the general laws or nature which influence his or her – and others’- existence.
It therefore follows that the career prospects available to a graduate of the UCU Law faculty are generally in the four core areas of advocacy, presiding in as professional magistrates, law making and teaching. These four core areas are spread over vast institutions of professionalism such as the judiciary, law firms and Non governmental organizations. Legislative organs, Business Corporations and academic institutions.
After Graduation
The Faculty of Law desires to produce men and women, who will later become model lawyers in society. It is not only lawyers who know how and where to find the law, but rather lawyers with a difference, that is lawyers of integrity and scruples. These are people who appreciate the role of law in bringing about justice as intended by God, although by and large secular minded lawyers may not care much about justice.
Character
The Faculty endeavors to mould students to a character that reflects Christ. To this end we strongly recommend that our graduates should be men and women of strong moral and spiritual character.
This means lawyers with a difference in a morally decadent society. This a fundamental aspect in a country devoured by corruption and unethical approaches in the legal, social, political and economic arenas, a justification for making Christian related subjects compulsory in all departments.
The Christian related subjects and seminars will assist the students in this regard, thus cater for the mental and spiritual needs of the students. This may be enhanced through invitation of eminent scholars, practitioners and other resourceful persons to share their experiences with the students especially at first year level.
Ability
The graduates of the Faculty should be in a position to handle legal issues, including accessing law in the globalised economy, where there are technological changes within the curriculum to fit the changing legal circumstances. The glaring example is electronic Banking law as opposed to traditional banking, regional development /integration of economies.
Knowledge
The students should be able to apply the theoretical knowledge gained and blend it with the legal practice and real life experience acquired during the Clinical Legal Education course. Students need to relate the theoretical conceptions to actual practice while at University level. Organized trips to courts, and other legal institutions would enhance their appreciation of their studies.
Entry Requirements
The law faculty admission generally has minimum entry requirements which are controlled by the Admissions Board. At each sitting, the admissions board sets the cut-off points depending on the number of applicants and number of spaces available. The more the applicants the higher the points and vice versa.
The requirements for admission into law faculty fall under two categories. In the first category, the faculty accepts advanced level school leavers. Admissions is on merit with the two best passed subjects at A- level carrying a multiplication factor of 2 principal passes.
The second category of applicants is holders of the Diploma in Law from the Law Development Centre, who may apply with or without working experience. Other Degree holders from recognized institutions also qualify for admissions under this category.
Foreign students from within the region and beyond are also admitted if they have equivalent qualifications. International applicants must have qualifications that are recognized for University entry in their respective countries.
Admission of persons holding qualifications from diverse fields is a welcome measure in the law faculty because it contributes to the distinctiveness of ideas brought out by the student body in the study and application of the law through experienced eyes.
Admission to years other than the first year of the program requires a special resolution of the Faculty Board and permission of the University Senate.
In order to ensure quality, the Faculty undertakes pre admission interviews in order to ascertain the academic competence of the applicants. This is dictated by the fact that high grades alone are sometimes deceptive.
Research Requirement
The Research Paper is an optional, fourth elective course. The student shall engage in a research of his/her choice, under supervision by a Faculty member, for approved areas of research passed each year. The Research Paper should not exceed 13,000 words (or 50 pages, double spaced font 110 in length inclusive of foot notes bibliography.
The Research Paper is intended to:
- Train students in research and writing legal papers,
- Afford students the opportunity to develop their intellectual talents and potential in an area of law and/or related discipline of their choice,
- Widen the scope of research activities at the Faculty and,
- Contribute to the development and knowledge of law and its role in the promotion of humankind.
Internship / Experiential Learning
There shall be compulsory weekly visits to law courts, law chambers and law facilities in the first year study. Students shall also conduct Moot Courts where fictitious cases are heard and decided with a view of exposing and training students in criminal and civil procedural techniques. Students shall also be encouraged to seek attachment to law chambers where they will work under supervision.
Course Structure
The students are expected to spend 4 hours a week on lectures for each course unit. They are further expected to have a tutorial of 2 hours a week for each course unit. This arrangement is consistent with the Law Council requirements. The Law Development Centre also requires that applicants for the Bar Course must have spent sufficient time in class. (4 hours is equal to 4 credit units 2 hours of tutorials equal to 1 credit hour. In all, each course has 5 credit units).
Year 1 Semester 1
Introducing Law
Fundamentals of Criminal Law
Contract I
Constitutional History
Writing & Study Skills*
Introduction to the Bible*
Year 1 Semester 2
Legal Methods I (Understanding Ethics)*
Criminal Liability
Contract II
Constitutional Law
Administrative Authorities
Basic Computing*
Year 2 Semester 1
Administrative Process
Foundations of Land Law
Nature and History of Torts
The Law of Sales
Legal Methods II
Understanding World Views*
Year 2 Semester 2
Jurisprudence I
Family Law I
Land Transactions
Negligence, Strict Liability
Equity and Trust
Year 3 Semester 1
Jurisprudence II
Family Law II
Criminal Procedure
Business Associations I
Law of Evidence I
International Law I
Year 3 Semester 2
Banking & Negotiable Instruments
Research Methods
Business Associations II
Law of Evidence II
International Law II
Year 4 Semester 1
Core
Civil Procedure I
Electives:
International Humanitarian Law
Intellectual Property I
Labour Law
Law and Christian Political Thought
Clinical Legal Education I
Year 4 Semester 2
Core:
Civil Procedure II
Electives:
Dissertation
Intellectual Property II
Insurance Law
Human Rights Law
Clinical Legal Education II
International Trade Law
Revenue Law and Taxation
Elective Course Units yet to be approved:
Conflict of Laws/Private Inter- national Law
International Commercial Arbitration
ICT Law
- Students in the fourth (final) year of study do the Core course unit(s) plus 4 electives, to make a total of 5 courses.
- Electives are offered subject to availability of lecturers to teach the course. For every elective, there must be a minimum number of 15 students
* Foundation courses that are taken by all students at UCU
