The Faculties of Law at UJ and Nelson Mandela University are collaborating in a research project aimed at empowering emerging researchers and generating the publication of two books, one addressing issues of Public Law (Law, Responsible Governance and Democracy) and the other addressing aspects of Marine Law and the Law of the Sea. On 23 and 24 August the researchers from the respective Faculties participated in a research colloquium at Cape St Francis where the papers for both books were presented and workshopped.