GLR PVT School success story: Merrilise Rosa Reddy

About Merrilise 

"My current role is IB Educator at Fettes College Guangzhou in China, a position I have held since 2022.  This pioneering campus upholds the same tradition of academic excellence and holistic development as its esteemed Scottish counterpart, and I am privileged to contribute to its mission by working within a truly international, high-achieving learning environment."

On enrolling at the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law

"I chose the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law for my practical vocational training because of its established reputation and the flexibility it offers.  Its programmes are accessible online, which was crucial for me as I am based abroad.

It took a while for online PVT courses to be offered.  For many years, practical legal training required in-person attendance, which simply wasn't feasible given my international commitments.  When Gawie le Roux finally made the programme available fully online, it was the opportunity I had been waiting for."  

"It allowed me to pursue the training I needed without having to put my career and life abroad on hold, making it the perfect solution for my circumstances."

400-hour vs 150-hour PVT programme of structured course work

"I opted for the 400-hour practical vocational training programme because, having been based outside of South Africa and working primarily in education and leadership for several years, I recognised that I needed a comprehensive and rigorous refresher to realign myself with the legal field.

The 400-hour programme offered the depth and structure I required to systematically update my legal knowledge, bridge the gap between theory and practice, and build the practical confidence necessary to re-enter the profession effectively.  Its extensive curriculum, which covers court procedures, drafting, ethics, and professional conduct, was an important step towards meeting the demands of legal practice.  This ensured that I would not merely be catching up, but emerging thoroughly prepared for the realities of the profession, even from a distance."

The mock trial

"The mock trial exercise was a valuable and practical component of the training.  As is standard in legal education, it provides a simulated trial-level proceeding where students take on the roles of lawyers and witnesses, applying rules of evidence and practicing advocacy skills.

It was an excellent opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting and develop essential courtroom skills, much like the practical legal research and writing workshops I designed during my time as a tutor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal."

Merrilise's tips for PVT students

• "Plan ahead to avoid being overwhelmed.  I mapped out a structured weekly schedule around my work hours, treating dedicated study blocks as non-negotiable appointments.  Breaking the syllabus into manageable weekly goals and keeping a clear overview of upcoming deadlines prevented last-minute panic and allowed me to engage with the material steadily rather than reactively.
• Use habit stacking to integrate study into your daily routine.  I paired study sessions with existing habits; reviewing notes after breakfast, listening to recorded lectures during commutes or exercise sessions, or summarising key cases before bed.  This made learning feel less like an additional burden and more like a natural part of my day.
• Never be shy to ask for help.  Two brains are better than one, so I made a point of connecting with fellow students through study groups, discussion forums, or even informal video calls.  When I felt stuck on a particular concept, talking it through with others not only clarified my thinking but also reinforced my understanding in ways that solo study never could.
• Resist the temptation to cram.  With the volume of work in the 400-hour programme, cramming may seem like an option, but it is a trap.  The key is a steady pace with multiple exposures to the content over time; revisiting material through lectures, notes, practice exercises, and discussion.  This builds deep, lasting understanding that stays with you, not just for the exams, but as a foundation for future studies and lifelong legal practice.
• Stay on top of administrative requirements.  Check application deadlines, payment structures, and the notes.  Familiarise yourself with the learning management system early, confirm time zones for any live lectures, and ensure you have reliable internet access for streaming materials and submitting assignments without disruption."

On facing challenges

"The primary challenge was balancing the intensive, structured schedule of the 400-hour programme with my full-time professional role in China.  The programme requires a significant time commitment, with a structure similar to other professional online courses that involve lectures, peer discussions, and assessments. 

I handled this by applying strong time management and discipline, integrating my study schedule with my work responsibilities in education and business development, skills I honed during my MBA studies and operations roles."

Merrilise's recommended reading for legal practitioners

"While technical legal texts are essential, I believe the most impactful books for any legal practitioner extend beyond case law and procedure.  My recommended reading list includes:

1. The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason.  This timeless classic on financial wisdom and wealth-building is invaluable for legal professionals who must manage their own practices or advise clients on financial matters.  Its simple, parable-based principles remind us that sound money management is a cornerstone of professional and personal stability.
2. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck.  Dweck's work on fixed versus growth mindsets is profoundly relevant to the legal profession, where resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning are critical.  Practitioners who embrace a growth mindset are better equipped to navigate setbacks, embrace feedback, and evolve with the changing legal landscape.
3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey.  Covey's principles of proactivity, prioritisation, and empathetic communication are directly transferable to legal practice.  Habits such as 'Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood' are foundational to client relationships, negotiation, and dispute resolution, while 'Sharpen the Saw' underscores the importance of ongoing professional development and personal well-being.
4. The Bramble Bush: On Our Law and Its Study by Karl N. Llewellyn.  A true classic in legal education, this book offers an enduring and candid introduction to the study and practice of law.  Llewellyn demystifies legal reasoning, the role of precedent, and the realities of law as a living, human institution.  It is essential reading for any practitioner seeking to understand not just what the law is, but how and why it operates as it does. 

These four works, taken together, equip a legal practitioner with financial prudence, psychological resilience, principled effectiveness, and a foundational philosophical understanding of the law itself.  These are qualities that transcend any single jurisdiction or area of practice."

What's next?

"I am driven by a singular conviction: the future of education depends on our ability to deploy AI without compromising student trust.  My interest lies at the intersection of AI governance, data privacy, and EdTech compliance because I believe these three pillars are the non-negotiable foundation of scalable innovation.

This interest was forged during the pandemic-era ed-tech boom, when I watched our sector rush digitisation without building guardrails for the humans on the other side of the screen.  Students were left vulnerable to data breaches and algorithmic bias, while teachers were buried under administrative chaos.  I realised that unlocking AI's potential in the classroom requires building a 'trust layer' where privacy is not an obstacle, but the engine that enables innovation."

Last updated on 25 June 2026.