Prof Christa Rautenbach (left) and outgoing President Prof Janine Ubink (right) at the Commission’s international conference in Jakarta.
Prof Christa Rautenbach, a highly regarded professor of law at North-West University’s Faculty of Law, has been appointed as the President of the Commission on Legal Pluralism (CLP). This prestigious role reflects her exceptional contributions to the field of legal pluralism and highlights the growing global influence of the Faculty of Law.
“My role will involve furthering the Commission’s goals of encouraging regional working groups, enhancing the study and practice of legal pluralism worldwide, and advocating for greater inclusion of diverse perspectives in legal and social discourse,” Prof Rautenbach remarked upon receiving the honor.
Advancing legal diversity on a global stage
The CLP, established in 1978 under the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (IUAES), has evolved into a leading independent body dedicated to the study of diverse legal systems coexisting within societies worldwide. Its membership includes over 350 lawyers, anthropologists, and social scientists.
Prof Rautenbach has been involved with the Commission since 2010. In 2016, she joined its Advisory Board, where she played a key role in organizing symposia, delivering workshops, and contributing scholarly articles to the Commission’s renowned journal, Legal Pluralism and Critical Social Analysis.
A proud moment for the faculty
Prof Rautenbach emphasized the significance of this appointment not just for herself but for the faculty. “This achievement underscores our faculty’s dedication to promoting global scholarship, interdisciplinary research, and fostering an understanding of diverse legal systems. My role will involve furthering the Commission’s goals of encouraging regional working groups, enhancing the study and practice of legal pluralism worldwide, and advocating for greater inclusion of diverse perspectives in legal and social discourse,” she noted.
In her role as President, Prof Rautenbach plans to promote regional collaborations, enhance the study of legal pluralism, and amplify underrepresented voices in legal and social discussions. “I look forward to leveraging this leadership role to enhance the international standing of our faculty, expand our academic networks, and create more opportunities for collaboration on a global scale,” she added.
Announcement at international conference in Jakarta
Prof Rautenbach’s appointment was announced during the CLP’s international conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, held from 13 – 15 January 2025. The conference, titled “The Transformative Power of Legal Pluralism? Planetary Challenges in a Diverse and Multi-Polar World,” was hosted in collaboration with the Faculty of Law, Universitas Indonesia.
During the conference, Prof Rautenbach presented a paper titled “Navigating the Legal Landscape: Empowering Khoi-San Communities through Customary Law Recognition in South Africa.”