how do i become a lawyer in south africa

How To Become A Lawyer In South Africa

• Education. Everyone who wishes to become an attorney in South Africa must begin by completing their LLB, which can be no...
• Articles of Clerkship. Once you have completed your recognised LLB, you can then apply for a position of service under...
• Fit & proper. Next you must prove that you are a fit and proper person to serve as an...

Full Answer

What are the requirements to become an attorney in South Africa?

Dec 25, 2020 · How to become an attorney in South Africa. Study options. Vacation work. Articles of clerkship. Update your CV. Improve your interview skills. Register your contract. Practical legal training (PLT) at a law school. Board examinations.

How to become a lawyer in South Africa with an LLB?

It is estimated that one candidate attorney works as a full-time lawyer or part-time lawyer in South Africa makes between R 162 000 and R 83 000 annually. A typical hourly wage for a driver is $8.88. Most experienced workers earn between R 1 636 980 to …

How long does it take to study law in South Africa?

Sep 24, 2018 · There are several other statutory requirements for becoming a lawyer in South Africa: You must establish your moral fitness to become an attorney You must attend a practical legal training course You must be interviewed and screened by a …

What subjects do you need to study law in South Africa?

Becoming a legal practitioner. The admission requirements for legal practitioners (attorneys or advocates) in South Africa are currently prescribed by the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 and the Rules promulgated in terms of the Act.. These are an academic qualification, service under a Practical Vocational Training Contract (PVTC), compulsory practical legal training and personal …

How long does it take to become a lawyer in SA?

4 yearsThe standard requirement before one can practice as a lawyer is completing an LLB degree which takes 4 years. Alternatively, some students choose to first study a BCom or BA which takes 3 years and then study another 2 years to complete their LLB.Mar 19, 2011

What qualifications do I need to be a lawyer in South Africa?

The Qualification of Legal Practitioners Amendment Act of 1997 confirms that an LLB Law Degree is required to practice law in South Africa. The degree is required to be achieved from an accredited South African law school in South Africa which could be one of the leading Universities in South Africa and/or a college.

What subjects do you need to study to become a lawyer in South Africa?

Luckily these are compulsory subjects at high schools in South African.English. In law school, you will be required to read a lot of case law, academic articles and textbooks. ... Math v Math Literacy. ... History. ... Business Studies, Accounting, Economics. ... A third language. ... Drama. ... Physical Science and Biology.Jan 11, 2021

How do I become admitted to a lawyer in South Africa?

The basic requirement is an LLB degree from any South African university. Having achieved this, the next step is to apply to the High Court to be included on the 'roll' of advocates. To do this, an applicant must satisfy the court that he/she is both qualified and able to be a member of the profession.

Which university is best for law?

Stanford UniversityTop 10 universities in the world for lawLaw Rank 2022Law Rank 2021University11Stanford University22University of Cambridge37New York University43University of Oxford6 more rows

What does LLB stand for?

Bachelor of Laws'LLB' is the abbreviation for the Bachelor of Laws. The degree abbreviates to 'LLB' instead of 'BL' due to the traditional name of the qualification in Latin, 'Legum Baccalaureus'. 'Legum' is the plural of 'lex', meaning law, while 'Baccalaureus' is the origin of the term 'Bachelors degree'.

What GCSEs do I need to be a lawyer?

What GCSEs should I take to become a lawyer? To study law, you'll need at least five GCSEs (or equivalent Level 2 qualifications) at grade 4/C or above, including Maths, English Language and Science. Courses are competitive, so you should aim for the highest grades possible.

Which university is best for law in SA?

University of Cape Town (UCT)University of Cape Town (UCT) QS World Rankings ranks UCT as the top university to study law in South Africa. The university is recognized for producing law graduates that are highly sought after both locally and internationally.

What CXC subjects are needed to become a lawyer?

Six CSEC subjects, (General Proficiency Grades 1-III or equivalents) in English Language, Mathematics or Physics, Biology or Human and Social Biology, one other science subject in addition to two other subjects. Applicant must attend an interview.

Which subject is best for lawyer?

Here are the most useful high school subjects for future lawyers:English. ... Public speaking. ... Social studies. ... Science. ... Mathematics. ... Statistics and data science. ... American history and government. ... Communication.More items...•Oct 5, 2021

What jobs can I get with a LLB law degree in South Africa?

Possible job titles related to lawAdministrative lawyer.Advocate.Arbitrator.Attorney.Case manager.Commercial rights manager.Compliance officer.Compliance specialist.More items...

What can I do to get started as a lawyer?

The first step to becoming an attorney is to complete a law degree. An LLB degree is required, which is either a four year undergraduate degree or a two year postgraduate degree. A National Senior Certificate that meets the requirements for a degree course is a prerequisite.

What is an LLB degree?

The Qualification of Legal Practitioners Amendment Act of 1997 stipulates that an LLB degree is required to practise law in South Africa. The degree must be obtained from an accredited South African law school at one of the various universities or colleges in South Africa.

When do you have to write your PLT exam?

After your PLT course, you will write your board examinations. These can be written every February and July/August. In total, you have to pass four board examinations, namely Estates, Bookkeeping, Attorneys’ Practice and Court Procedures. You can choose when you will write which examination as long as you pass all four.

What is PLT in law school?

Practical legal training (PLT) at a law school. PLT is a compulsory course in practical legal training, teaching you legal skills and preparing you for your board examination. You need to complete your PLT before you can be admitted as an attorney.

How to become an attorney in South Africa?

There are various methods to obtain the practical qualification to be admitted as an attorney in South Africa. An applicant must complete at least:#N#1 . Two years under a contract of articles (service at a private law firm or state attorney) or a service contract ( community service at a legal aid institution) after having satisfied the requirements for an LLB degree of a South African university; or#N#2. Two years under a contract of articles or service contract after having satisfied all the requirements for a degree of a university in a country designated by the Minister and certified by a South African university as being equivalent or superior to the South African LLB degree (currently the former ‘TBVC’ states, Swaziland, Namibia and Zimbabwe); or#N#3. One year under a contract of articles or service contract if the person has satisfied all the requirements for a South African LLB degree or a degree of a university in a country designated by the Minister and has attended the full-time School for Legal Practice for a period of approximately six months; or#N#4. Three years under a contract of articles or service contract if the applicant:#N#– has completed a degree that does not meet the requirements of a South African LLB degree; or#N#– if the applicant has completed a degree that does not meet the requirements of a South African LLB degree at a university in a country designated by the Minister, which degree has been certified by a university in South Africa; or#N#– if the applicant has obtained a matric certificate and has served continuously for a period of at least two years as a clerk to any judge of the High Court, provided that the applicant enters into articles of clerkship within a period of one year after completing such; or#N#5. Five years if the applicant does not have a degree, but at least has a matric certificate with full university exemption.

What are the requirements to become an attorney in South Africa?

This requirement refers mainly to the moral integrity of a person, his characteristics and particularly honesty, which is considered to be an important prerequisite for practising as an attorney.#N#A person must be older than 21 years and a South African citizen; or be legally entitled to permanent residence in the Republic and be ordinarily resident in the Republic ; or be a citizen of a state which formerly formed part of the Republic and belongs to a category of persons and has complied with certain conditions, as determined by the Minister from time to time (currently being the former ‘TBVC’ states, Swaziland, Namibia and Zimbabwe).#N#Source: h ttp://www.lssa.org.za/

What is the LLB degree?

The LLB degree (the course duration of which is not less than four years) or BProc degree (obtained on or before 31 December 2004), obtained at any university in the Republic, is the required academic qualification. There are exceptions, namely: – If the person has previously been admitted as an advocate in South Africa.

What are the admission requirements for attorneys in South Africa?

The admission requirements for attorneys in South Africa are currently prescribed by the Attorneys Act, 1979 and the Rules promulgated in terms of the Act. These are an academic qualification, service under articles of clerkship or service contract, compulsory practical legal training and personal fitness. All these have to be complied with ...

How long is appropriate legal practice?

Appropriate legal practice. A person may be exempted from articles on condition that appropriate legal experience for at least five years, to the satisfaction of the provincial Law Society concerned, has been undergone. The Minister has determined categories of appropriate legal practice in consultation with the profession.

What are the exceptions to the LLB?

There are exceptions, namely: – If the person has completed a degree of the same status as the South African LLB degree at a university in a country designated by the Minister , which degree has been certified by a university in South Africa and the person has completed a supplementary examination (if required); ...

How long does it take to get an LLB in South Africa?

This degree should have been obtained after a course of study of not less than 4 years or a course of study of not less than 5 years if you completed a different bachelor’s degree before the LLB. An LLB obtained in a foreign country will also ...

Can I get an LLB in a foreign country?

An LLB obtained in a foreign country will also be accepted if it is equivalent to a South African LLB degree as recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority. The second step is to undergo all the practical vocational training requirements as a candidate legal practitioner.

Can I be a conveyancer in South Africa?

You may only practice as a legal practitioner if you are admitted to practice by the High Court. In order to be admitted by the High Court, you need to be either a South African citizen or permanent resident.

How old do you have to be to become a lawyer in Cape Town?

The South African law requires that a lawyer obtain a law degree, work several years in a legal setting and pass an admissions exam. You must also be at least 21-years-old and a citizen or legal resident of South Africa.

What are the subjects required to study law in South Africa?

Subjects required to study law in South Africa include those with general application and those that are more specific. Subjects that are needed to become a lawyer in South Africa include Foundations of South African law, South African private law, constitutional law, criminal law, intellectual property, evidence and African Customary Law.

What is the exam for attorneys?

The exam tests your knowledge of legal practice and procedure, wills and estates, legal bookkeeping, and attorneys’ practice, contracts and rules of conduct. The attorneys’ admission exam is taken once you’ve completed six months of either real-world experience or attendance at a practical legal training course.

What is the legal practice act in South Africa?

Becoming a legal practitioner. The admission requirements for legal practitioners (attorneys or advocates) in South Africa are currently prescribed by the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 and the Rules promulgated in terms of the Act..

Who can be subject to any other law?

(1) Subject to any other law, no person other than a practising legal practitioner who has been admitted and enrolled as such in terms of this Act may, in expectation of any fee, commission, gain or reward –

What is LEAD in law?

Practice management training. The Law Society of South Africa’s Legal Education and Development division (LEAD) has been accredited by the Legal Practice Council to provide training in practice management to comply with the requirement.

Can an attorney render legal services?

(1) An attorney may render legal services in expectation of any fee, commission, gain, or reward as contemplated in this Act or any other applicable law, upon receipt of a request directly from the public for that service .

How to become a lawyer in SA?

You need to go to school, get a degree in law, sit for and pass an admissions examination and work for several years.

How old do you have to be to become a lawyer in South Africa?

You must at least be 21 years of age before you get the green light to become a lawyer.

How long does it take to become a prosecutor?

It takes one to five years but it all depends on the school attended and experience garnered so far. For those who already have at least five (5) years of relevant legal experience which include experience as a regional prosecutor or magistrate are exempted from the real world experience requirement.

Academic Qualifications

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Service Under Articles of Clerkship Or Service Contract

Appropriate Legal Practice