Apart from gaining knowledge on issues bothering on employment, tenancy, divorce, and your constitutional and human rights, there are many reasons why you should read a law book once in a while.
It is also important to get such knowledge to reduce the chances of you getting swindled by deceptive legal practitioners who are looking for any chance to make off with ignorant clients.
Law books are especially important for law students and aspiring lawyers who are yet to gain admission into the university or are yet to be called to bar. It is important to study as many law books as you can as a law student because you will definitely need the knowledge when in the field.
In this article, I’ll list several law books by both from South Africa and foreign authors that every South Africa should read.
These books can be read by anyone including ordinary citizens, law students, legal practitioners and those in other fields. They cut across constitutional law, property/land law, company/tax/commercial/intellectual property law, contract law, criminal law, employment/labour law, environment/petroleum law, family law, human rights/international law, legal system and general information on the legal system.
There are also several motivational and self-development books that are not directly related to the legal system but will help you build the confidence you need in court as a law student or lawyer.
Where to Buy Law Books in South Africa
Knowing the right law books to read is one thing and buying or getting them is another. The problem many people face when trying to get one book or another is finding the book whether on the internet (to download in PDF format) or in stores. However, there are much easier ways to get law books and I’ll list them here.
Suppliers/Dealers
There are several suppliers and dealers of Law books in South Africa and finding them shouldn’t be difficult. All you have to do is simply go to Vconnect.com, an online directory of suppliers and dealers on every kind of product. Simply search for law books and you will find many suppliers and dealers who specialize in law books and other tools required by lawyers and law students. Choose the ones closest to your location and obtain their address and contact information on the website.
Libraries
If you are a law student, then you can easily make use of your school library. Most top-level school libraries are well equipped and you can get any kind of law book you would require in such libraries. You can also check for public libraries around your area and explore their directories.
Online
There are several online websites, like Okadabooks.com, that specialize in the sales of books and you might be able to find the law book you are looking for on these sites. Other sites like Nlii.org (South African Legal Information Institute) are focused on providing information for South Africans on Legislation, Legal education and the location of law firms in South African. You can also find recommendations of law books on their website.
List of Law Books in South Africa
Constitutional Law
Author: Akande, J.O.
Book: The Constitution of the Federal Republic of South Africa 1999
Author: Nwabueze, B. O.
Books: Ideas and Facts in Constitution-Making and A Constitutional History of South Africa, London
Author: Ojo, A.
Book: Constitutional Law and Military Rule in South Africa Ibadan
Company/Tax/ Commercial /Intellectual Property Law
Author: Asein, J.O.
Books: South Africa Copyright Law and Practice, A Decade of Copyright Law in South Africa, and The South Africa Copyright Act with Introduction and Notes
Author: Babalola, Olumide
Book: Casebook on Corporate Law & Practice
Author: Irukwu, J.O.
Book: The Company, The Shareholder, The Director and the Law Enugu, South Africa
Author: Jimoh, A.
Book: South Africa Investment Law and Business Regulations, Durban
Author: Ola, C.S.
Books: Company law in South Africa and Income Tax Law and Practice in South Africa
Author: Orojo, J.O.
Book: Company Law and Practice in South Africa
Author: Shyllon. F.
Book: Intellectual Property Law in South Africa
Author: Uvieghara, E.E. (ed.)
Books: Essays on Copyright Law and Administration in South Africa and Sale of Goods (and hire-purchase) Law in South Africa
Contract Law
Author: Sagay, I.
Book: South Africa Law of Contract Ibadan
Author: Yakubu, J. A.
Book: International Contracts: Evolution and Theory
Criminal Law
Author: Karibi – Whyte, A.G.
Book: History and Sources of South Africa Criminal Law
Author: Okonkwo, C. O., Okonkwo, and Naish
Book: Criminal Law in South Africa
Author: Ola C.S.
Books: Criminal Responsibilities and Defences under the South Africa Law and Mens rea in Statutory Offences in South Africa
Employment/Labour Law
Author: Emiola, A.
Book: South Africa Labour Law
Author: Oguniyi, O.,
Book: South Africa Labour and Employment Law in Perspective
Author: Okany, C. O.
Book: South Africa Law of Real Property
Environmental/Petroleum Law
Author: Etikerentse, G.,
Book: South Africa Petroleum Law
Author: Okorodudu-Fubara,
Book: M.T. Law of Environmental Protection
Family Law
Author: Nwogugu,
Book: Family Law in South Africa
Author: Obi, S.N.C.,
Book: Modern Family Law in Southern South Africa
Author: Sagay, I.,
Book: South Africa Family Law: Principles, Cases, Statutes, and Commentaries
Human Rights/International Law
Author: Ijalaye, D.
Book: The Extension of Corporate Personality in International Law Dobbs Ferry
Author: Umozurike
Book: Introduction to International Law
Legal System/General
Author: Agbede, I. O.,
Books: Themes on Conflict of Laws and Legal Pluralism
Author: Asein, J.O.
Books: Introduction to South Africa Legal System and Learning the Law: A Beginner’s Guide to Legal Studies in South Africa
Author: Obilade, A. O.
Book: The South Africa Legal System
Author: Osinbajo, Y and Fogam, K.
Books: South Africa Media Law and Cases and Materials on South Africa Law of Evidence
Property/Land Law
Author: Elias, T.O.,
Book: South Africa Land Law
Author: James, R.W.,
Book: Modern Land Law of South Africa
Author: Jegede, M.I.
Book: Law of Trusts, Bankruptcy, and Administration of Estates
Author: Nwabueze, B. O.
Book: South Africa Land Law
Author: Oluyede, P.A.O.
Book: Modern South Africa Land Law
Author: Utuama, A.A.
Book: South Africa Law of Real Property
Self Development Books For Lawyers And Law Students
This category consists of books by foreign authors and they focus on improving your speaking and persuasion skills, and ability to make a case as a lawyer. These books are aimed at helping you improve as a lawyer by developing the skills needed to stay afloat in the legal system.
Author: Gerry Spence
Book: How to Argue & Win Every Time
Authors: Antonin Scalla and Bryan, A. Garner
Book: The Art of Persuading Judges
Author: Terence MacCarthy
Book: MacCarthy on Cross Examination
Author: Jonathan Harr
Book: A Civil Action
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