Research Paper in Lieu of an Examination (PILO)

Students who are granted permission may present a research paper in lieu of an examination in any elective course in terms of Regulation 11a of the LLB Regulations. Only students who have already shown research capability will be permitted to write a research paper in lieu of an examination. The research paper is due on the Friday of the last teaching week in each semester and should be submitted through the Canvas.

Students choosing to write a research paper in lieu of an examination are required to attend all lectures in the relevant course. If this attendance condition is not complied with, permission to complete the research paper in lieu of an examination may be withdrawn.

The research paper is in lieu of the examination only; all other assessment for the course must be completed.

The word count for the research paper varies per course relating to the weighting of the examination, and the number of points of the elective.

For 20-point electives, the word count will be a percentage of 10,000 words.  For a 15-point elective, the word count will be a percentage of 7,500 words, and for a 10-point elective, a percentage of 5,000 words.

For example, in a 15-point elective where the examination is worth 50%, the PILO will be 3,750 words (50% of 7,500 words).

Students writing a research paper in lieu of a final examination of at least 4000 words may receive credit for the sustained piece of legal writing requirement in LAW 498.

The last day for approval of a research paper in lieu of an examination by the lecturer and the Associate Dean (Academic) is the Friday of the fourth week of the semester.  

The online application form is available here.