22 Apr 2026

Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies (GUC) has defended the credibility of its law programme following a recent High Court ruling that rejected a graduate’s bid to practice. 

Addressing a press conference on Monday, GUC Director of Academics, Dr Upenyu Chiparo, said the judgment did not invalidate qualifications awarded through the institution’s partnership with Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom. Instead, he explained, the case centred on procedural shortcomings.

The briefing followed an April 15, ruling involving Mr Kagiso Stephens, whose petition to practise law was dismissed. Dr Chiparo said the court found that Mr Stephens had failed to submit key academic transcripts and legal arguments addressing objections raised by the Law Society of Botswana.

As such, the court did not interrogate the legitimacy of the degree itself, which remains accredited by the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA).

Dr Chiparo outlined that GUC’s partnership with Leeds Beckett University was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2018. In 2019, the college sought guidance from the Law Society of Botswana regarding the eligibility of graduates to practise locally.

He said the Society confirmed in writing that graduates would qualify under the Legal Practitioners’ Act of 1996.

He further noted that Leeds Beckett University was registered as an awarding body in Botswana by BQA in 2019, with its LLB (Hons) degree offered through GUC under a franchise model and formally accredited in March 2020.

Dr Chiparo emphasised that Leeds Beckett University retained full control over curriculum design, assessments and moderation, and was solely responsible for awarding degrees.

He further said that all teaching staff were vetted and trained by the university, while admissions were conducted in line with UK requirements.

He added that GUC’s role was limited to programme delivery, with assessments externally moderated prior to the conferment of degrees. 

The programme is also subject to regular quality assurance reviews, including biannual inspections conducted in February and October in line with BQA standards.

The first cohort graduated in 2023 and successfully completed bar examinations the following year, gaining admission to practise before Botswana’s courts.

However, Dr Chiparo acknowledged that four graduates from the 2024 cohort, who passed the bar examinations in June 2025, were facing opposition from the Law Society of Botswana.

The Society has filed affidavits challenging their qualifications, arguing that they are GUC graduates rather than Leeds Beckett University alumni and questioning the programme’s standards. Dr Chiparo dismissed these claims as inaccurate.

Meanwhile, three similar petitions remain pending before judges in Lobatse. 

Dr Chiparo expressed confidence that the cases would be determined on their merits.

For his part, Mr Stephens criticised the ruling as unfair, alleging regulatory overreach and describing the process as a waste of public funds.

In closing, GUC Managing Director, Professor Antoney Joseph, maintained that all due processes were followed in establishing the programme and that it meets the standards set out under Section 4 of the Legal Practitioners’ Act. ENDS