Halalisani Xulu

Halalisani Xulu, 27, set his sights on the legal profession from an early age, a dream he has since realised at the constitutional court. As a law researcher, Halalisani supports the judges with legal research and with drafting judgments. His work extends to collaborating with other researchers to debate and analyse complex constitutional matters. Halalisani completed his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Fort Hare. He later earned a master’s in commercial law from the University of Cape Town, also obtaining specialised certification on the Twin Peaks financial regulatory system. He is the winner of the 2019 Kate O’Regan Moot  Court Competition, was recognised as one of Africa’s Brightest  Young Minds in 2022 and co-author of a peer-reviewed article addressing the legal status of climate change refugees. Halalisani recently founded a mentorship programme for  LLB students, connecting them to a network of legal professionals, including attorneys, advocates, and judges. He also mentors high school learners from his alma mater and co-funds an under-18 football club in Kwa-Nongoma, creating safe spaces for teenage boys to avoid drugs and crime.

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB), cum laude, University of Fort Hare
• Master’s in Commercial Law, University of Cape Town
• Certificate in the Twin Peaks Model, Insurance Act and COFI Bill, University of Cape Town

• Winner of the 2019 Kate O’Regan Moot Court Competition, named after retired Constitutional Court judge Justice Kate O’Regan
• Selected as one of Africa’s Brightest Young Minds – Top 100 (2022 cohort)
• Awarded Certificate for Outstanding Academic Performance – University of Fort Hare (LLB third-year class, 2019)
• Secured articles at a top South African law firm while in the second year of LLB studies
• Graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) – University of Fort Hare
• Appointed law lecturer – University of Fort Hare
• Appointed law researcher – Constitutional Court of South Africa
• Co-authored a peer-reviewed academic article – Teitiota v New Zealand: The Legal Position of Climate Change Refugees in the International Community.
  

I look up to Advocate Ngcukaitobi SC; I admire his passion for law, demonstrated over the years not only through his excellent knowledge of the law and litigation skills, but also through his fight against injustice generally. I am also aligned with his philosophy of law and justice. My current mentor is Justice Mathopo, who has contributed considerably to my knowledge and understanding of the law, and has also imparted to me principles and values of life to live by in this world as a young man.