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Access to Information and Privacy Law

Application Form
Complete Online Application Form at
/zahrah/display/external/public/163/AabSAeQlpQ#section-intro

Start Date
15 July 2024

Apply By
21 June 2024

Cost
R16, 400.00

Duration & Format
This is a semester-long course where participants attend evening lectures from 17:30 to 19:00 once a week during the period 15 July to 22 October 2024. Exams will take place on the 30 October 2024 to 26 November 2024

Overview
The Access to Information and Privacy Law postgraduate certificate course examines the law and jurisprudence dealing with the right to privacy and the right of access to information in public and private hands, with particular emphasis on the relationship between these rights.  The course will track important current law reforms and developments.

Course Outcomes
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • Explain the concepts of ‘freedom of information’ and ‘privacy’ (particularly ‘information privacy’ or ‘data protection’).
  • Assess the relationship between the constitutional rights of access to information and privacy and the effect of the constitutional privacy right on the protection of privacy at common law.
  • Examine the laws (statutory and common law) that protect access to information and privacy.

Course Content
The course covers the following topics:

  • Basic concepts: information society, privacy, information privacy, transparency, freedom of information.
  • Access to information: the constitutional right and the Promotion of Access to Information Act.
  • Introduction to the PAIA and other information legislation. The protection of information privacy in the PAIA.
  • The transparency obligations in terms of the PAIA.
  • Privacy – a philosophical introduction.
  • The common law protection of privacy.
  • Data protection – introduction to the European system.
  • Data protection –Protection of Personal Information Act

Target Audience
Legal professionals, compliance officers, data protection officers, and individuals involved in information management.

Application Process
A relevant Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Commerce in Law or Bachelor of Arts in Law or equivalent qualification is a prerequisite for admission to the postgraduate certificate courses; OR

Applicants with any other undergraduate qualifications must complete the bridging course Introduction to Law for Non- Lawyers or equivalent courses first as well as have relevant legal work experience in the specific legal field before they would be considered for other courses.

You will be required to submit a copy of your Bachelors Degree, academic record as well as a copy of your identity document or passport.

Kindly note that all foreign qualifications must be submitted with a SAQA Evaluation Letter.

Additional Information
One of the following certificates can be obtained:

  • Certificate of Attendance: To obtain a certificate of attendance, students are required to attend and participate in 75% of the lectures. 
  • Certificate of Competence: To obtain a certificate of competence, students are required to attend and participate in 75% of the lectures and to complete the assessments as required in the course.

This postgraduate certificate course is accredited by the university in accordance with its statutory mandate.  It does not lead to a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework.

Enquiries 
Mahlatse Masemola Tel No: +27 11 717 8438; Email mahlatse.masemola@wits.ac.za 
Ursula Dillner-Dangor Tel No: +27 11 717 8435; Email: ursula.dillner-dangor@wits.ac.za 
Website www.wits.ac.za/mandelainstitute/short-courses/

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