Judge Yacoob Serves as Judge-in-Residence at Law School

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UKZN School of Law academics and students had a rare opportunity to work with retired Constitutional Court Judge Zak Yacoob during the month of April when he was serving in his position as the School’s newly appointed Judge-in-Residence.

The Judge-in-Residence initiative was established by the School in 2013 with Justice Malcolm Wallis of the Supreme Court of Appeal as the first appointment.

According to Dean and Head of the School of Law Professor Managay Reddi, the initiative gives law students and academics the opportunity to engage with some of South Africa’s most influential judicial leaders through a series of seminars and lectures. It also encourages judges and academics with shared interests in particular areas of law to learn from one another, and gives students opportunities to gain insights into the working of the courts and the role of South African judges.

Some of the notable engagements Yacoob was involved in during his stay included the delivery of a series of lectures to students on Introduction to Law, Human Rights, Constitutional Law, International Law and Professional Training.

As a constitutional law expert Yacoob contributed as a panelist at the inaugural seminar on Customary Law themed: “Constitutional legitimacy of customary law and common law in judicial reasoning”.

He also participated as a panelist during a discussion on “Socio-economic rights and the meaning of ‘progressive realisation’ in the post-apartheid context” which was hosted by Students for Law and Social Justice.

Law academic Mr Maropeng Mpya acknowledged the invaluable input made by Yacoob and said: ‘The Justice helped with issues ranging from refugee problems, to students who wanted help on their assignments and members of staff with their articles. This has not only been an intellectually enriching period but was a moment of making friends and life-long relationships.’

Yacoob is also the Ombudsman of the University and he has committed himself to serve for two months of the year at the School of Law and he will return before the end of the year.

Hazel Langa