Amanzimtoti attorney graduates with doctorate
Arusha Gopaul was encouraged by her father to enter the law field.
AN AMANZIMTOTI resident’s dream of earning a PhD was fulfilled on November 3 when an LLD (Doctor of Law) Degree was conferred on her.
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Arusha Gopaul (33) has been practising as an attorney since April 2013, and her thesis was titled, ‘The powers of a peace officer to arrest a suspect, detain and use force – its constitutionality and consequences on the rights of a suspect’. She said the topic relates to criminal law and procedure.
“I strongly believe that the rights of suspects are violated by police officers because of a lack of legal knowledge. I made recommendations in my thesis for several portions of our Constitution and portions of the Criminal Procedure Act to be amended to promote the rights of suspects. I hope that my recommendations are brought to the attention of the relevant government department or minister so that our existing law is amended,” said Arusha.
After graduating from Amanzimtoti High School in 2006, she enrolled for an LLB Degree (Bachelor of Law) at the University of South Africa (Unisa) and graduated in 2010. “I, thereafter, started my LLM (Master of Law) at Unisa and completed the degree in 2015. I, then, immediately pursued the LLD,” she said.
She is grateful to her father, Mohan, who, in 2007, advised her to study law. “I remember him saying that it is important to choose a career where you will not only be able to obtain employment but can open your own business to make a living, without having to rely on anyone. My mum, Radhika, and sister Kerina gave me constant support and encouragement throughout my academic journey,” said Arusha. Kerina is an advocate at the Durban Bar.
“I aim to be an inspiration to other young people by encouraging them to pursue their studies and make their dreams a reality. Education is the one thing that no one can take away from you. I am quite young to be conferred with a doctorate degree, and I am proud to hold such a degree. I intend to use what I learned when researching, writing and critically analysing information in front of me, to improve the service to all my clients, and I also hope to branch out further into academia in the near future,” she said.
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