CLEAR aims to boost independent and interdisciplinary research.

The new Centre for Legal and Applied Research (CLEAR) aims to foster independent research and synergies both within the Faculty of Law, and with other faculties.

So explained Professor Hanri Mostert, the faculty's director of research, at the centre's launch in early February.

This independent and yet inter-disciplinary approach was very evident in the presentations of CLEAR's nine research units at the opening. Current projects span everything from the erosion of 'decent work' to public policing, refugee rights to judicial ethics, climate change to biofuels, accountability to and evidence-based advocacy for rural women.

'I am so proud of the rich research fabric of this faculty,' said Professor PJ Schwikkard, who stepped in as Dean of Law in January. 'I am also excited about the impact of CLEAR's overarching structure. It will not only promote excellent socio-legal research within key research themes, but will also ensure co-operation without duplication of work.'

At the same event, the faculty presented its 2008 Research Incentive Prizes, which celebrate outstanding research at a non-professorial level. Karin Lehmann took first prize for her paper, In defence of the Constitutional Court: litigating socio-economic rights and the myth of the Minimum Core. Anne Pope was named runner-up for her article, Encroachment or Accession? The importance of the extent of encroachment in light of South African Constitutional Principles.