how many years to become a lawyer in south africa

What education is required to become a lawyer in South Africa?

Education Requirement. You have to hit the books to become a lawyer in South Africa. As stipulated in the country’s Attorneys Act of 1979, you must complete a four-year bachelor's program to earn the required LLB degree.

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

This method requires five years of schooling instead of four but achieves the same result. Subjects required to study law in South Africa include those with general application and those that are more specific.

What is the starting salary for a law firm in South Africa?

Depending on which firm you get accepted into, the starting salaries can range from as low as R5000 per month to as high as R25 000 per month.

How to become an LLB lawyer in South Africa?

As stipulated in the country’s Attorneys Act of 1979, you must complete a four-year bachelor's program to earn the required LLB degree. The degree must be earned at an accredited law school in South Africa.

How many years does study the lawyer?

The JD will typically take three years to complete. There is also an option to earn a one year Master of Laws (LLM) degree in area of specialization (such as tax law) after earning a JD. Foreign lawyers can also study to receive an LLM in order to practice in countries which require a JD.

How do I become a lawyer in South Africa?

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.

How long is law in South Africa?

4 yearsLLB (Straight) This degree is a requirement to pursue a career in South Africa as a legal practitioner. The LLB takes a minimum of 4 years to complete as a full-time student. However, Universities (such as UKZN and UNISA) provide part-time LLB programs which will take a minimum of 6 years.

What subjects are needed 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.

How long is LLB at Unisa?

4 years12. The rules from 2018 onwards are presented per NQF level below. 13. The minimum duration is 4 years.

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...•

Can I complete LLB in 2 years?

Now Save your Gap Years & Get Bachelor of Law (LLB) Degree in One Year through fast track mode in India. Now those Students can save their time of 2 or 3 Years who have discontinued their study after 12th or Graduation. Candidates can complete their Bachelor of Law (LLB) in One Year through One sitting Degree.

Is studying law hard in South Africa?

Studying law takes a lot of hard work and dedication. In South Africa, proficiency in the English language is extremely important as students are required to study a multitude of technical legal books and hundreds of cases in English.

How much are lawyers paid in South Africa?

How much money does an Attorney make in South Africa? A person working as an Attorney in South Africa typically earns around 61,000 ZAR per month. Salaries range from 28,100 ZAR (lowest) to 97,000 ZAR (highest). This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits.

What are the 4 types of law?

In this presentation, we will examine the four primary sources of law at the state and federal levels. These four sources of law are the United States Constitution, federal and state statutes, administrative regulations, and case law.

Do lawyers need math?

Private practice lawyers must understand math well enough to run a business. They also need to be able to track and account for funds deposited into their clients' trust fund accounts. Lawyers should be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide to calculate damages, prejudgment interest, and the time value of money.

Which university in South Africa is best for law?

Top Law Universities in South AfricaUniversity of Pretoria. Law Program Link. Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Laws, Masters, and Doctor of Laws. ... University of Cape Town. Law Program Link. ... Stellenbosch University. Law Program Link. ... University of Venda. Law Program Link. ... Rhodes University. Law Program Link.

How to become an attorney in South Africa?

Everyone who wishes to become an attorney in South Africa must begin by completing their LLB, which can be no less than four years in length. They must attend an institution in South Africa unless they have already completed an LLB from an institution from an approved country. The designated countries approved in South Africa currently are Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho and the former Bophuthatswana, Venda, Transkei, and Ciskei states. If you have an LLB from any other country, then you need to approach a South African law school for assessment of your law degree as credit towards a South African one.

How long does it take to become an advocate in South Africa?

Well, the first thing you need to know is that in South Africa lawyers are known as attorneys and advocates. It takes at least seven years to become an attorney and an additional year to become an advocate. Only some foreign-trained lawyers are able to avoid repeating their LLBs at a South African law school – as usually a South African qualification is necessary.

What countries are approved for LLB in South Africa?

The designated countries approved in South Africa currently are Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho and the former Bophuthatswana, Venda, Transkei, and Ciskei states . If you have an LLB from any other country, then you need to approach a South African law school for assessment of your law degree as credit towards a South African one.

How long does it take to get an attorney's license?

Once you have completed at least six months of your articles of clerkship, then you can take the Attorney's Admission Examination. This has four parts; Practice and Procedure, Wills and Estates, Attorneys’ Practice, Contracts and Rules of Conduct, and Legal Bookkeeping.

How long is the legal practice course?

It can be shortened to one year if the student completes the full-time course at the School for Legal Practice for a period of approximately six months. Otherwise, this course is attended on a part-time basis for a shorter period of time of around five months.

How long does it take to become an article of clerk?

This training period is conducted in a law firm and is generally two years in length.

Can you take law lessons from a reputable teacher?

There are unofficial lessons available from some law lecturers, and if you are recommended one and are feeling weak in an area of the exam, then taking the lessons from a reputable teacher is a great way to grow your confidence.

1. Passing matric with the right marks

To be able to pass to the next step in becoming an attorney, you have to pass matric with the right subjects. To be admitted to UP’s Undergraduate LLB programme, you need an APS of at least 32. You will also have to pass English home language or first additional language with 60-69%.

2. Studying LLB

Doing your LLB degree at any South African university that allows you to study LLB can be done right after passing matric and meeting the admission requirements of the university.

3. Doing vacation work at a registered law firm

Most law firms offer vacation work to aspiring attorneys in South Africa. However, most law firms only offer vacation work to 3rd and 4th year students.

4. Doing your law articles

Doing your law articles takes 2 years of working as a candidate attorney. This has to be done at a registered law firm in South Africa. During this time you will work under the supervision of a registered attorney.

5. Preparing for the Board exams

Completing the board exams is the next step in being admitted as an attorney. You may start to prepare for these exams while you are still a candidate attorney.

7. Attorney admission

Attorney admission is the final step of becoming an attorney in South Africa. First complete your articles with a registered law firm and pass your board exams. Then you may apply to court to be admitted as an attorney.

8. Celebration

The process of becoming an attorney in South Africa takes at least 6 years. 4 Years of studying and 2 years of articles and writing the admission exams. That is a long time of working hard with late nights and early mornings.

How long does it take to become a lawyer in South Africa?

You have to hit the books to become a lawyer in South Africa. As stipulated in the country’s Attorneys Act of 1979, you must complete a four-year bachelor's program to earn the required LLB degree. The degree must be earned at an accredited law school in South Africa.

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 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/

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 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 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 qualifications do you need to be a lawyer in South Africa?

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.

Study options

You will need to enrol for and complete a four-year LLB degree, which is the minimum requirement. You also have the option of completing a BCom degree before the LLB degree but this is not compulsory.

Vacation work

In your pre-final year of study, or even as early as the end of your second year of study, you will need to apply direct to law firms for work experience during the July or December holidays. Most of the larger law firms in South Africa offer such work experience for a two- to three-week period.

Articles of clerkship

After successful completion of your law degree, you will need to work at a law firm as a candidate attorney under the guidance of a practising attorney before you will be allowed to practise as an attorney yourself.

Update your CV

You will need an updated CV to apply for vacation work experience and an appointment as an articled clerk. Robert Walters legal recruitment specialists can offer advice on how to make your CV stand out, as a strong CV is vital to success. Here are some quick tips:

Improve your interview skills

Interviews need not be as nerve-wracking as they are made out to be, as interview skills can be taught. A few simple guidelines can take you a long way. For tips on how to prepare for a job interview, download the Robert Walters Interview Guide.

Register your contract

Make sure your contract is registered with the law society of the province in which you are working, within two months of starting your period as an articled clerk. Also make sure that the contract is backdated to the commencement date of this period so that you do not lose the two months’ experience you have already completed.

How long does it take to become an attorney in South Africa?

However, the first thing you need to know is that in South Africa lawyers are known as Attorneys and Advocates. It takes at least seven years to become an attorney and an additional year to become an advocate. As a law student, being prepared and knowing your career path are simple steps to landing your ideal legal job. In order to become a certified legal practitioner in South Africa, the following are processes to follow;

What are the requirements to become a lawyer in South Africa?

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. Some classes are mandatory during law school and others are elective classes that you can choose depending on your interest.

How long does it take to get a law degree?

After successfully passing the LSAT, you will need to enrol and complete an LLB Law Degree which is a four-year degree, and this is the minimum requirement. You also have the option of completing the BCom Law Degree before the LLB Law Degree but this is not compulsory. However, should you attend the BCom Law Degree, in addition, it can take up to five years.

What is an LL.B. degree?

The LL.B. degree is the necessary degree qualification for individuals who wish to enrol as an Advocate or an Attorney in the country.

How long does it take to get an article of clerkship?

According to the Attorneys Act, a candidate attorney will successfully complete his Articles of Clerkship after a period of two years as well as attending part-time law school.

Why do lawyers need to use logic?

Lawyers need to be able to apply facts to the law. They need to use their logic skills in order to find fault in the opponent’s argument. There’s a reason that logic games make up a good portion of the Law School Admission Test. Attorneys have to be able to create logical arguments, reason and evaluate the arguments of others.

What do lawyers need to know about technology?

Lawyers need to know how to use technology. Whether a lawyer works in the private sector, for a government agency or even as a judge, they have to work with various software systems. Most law firms use a case management system to manage files and bill clients.

How long does it take to get a law degree in South Africa?

The LLB degree usually takes four years to complete and the BCom plus LLB degrees five years. If you obtain a law degree outside South Africa, you will have to contact the National Forum of Advocates (NFA) to verify whether your degree is recognised as equivalent to an LLB in South Africa.

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.

What happens if you are not registered as a candidate attorney?

If you are not registered as a candidate attorney, this time you have spent working will not be recognised by the court once you apply to be admitted as an attorney.

How long does it take to become a lawyer in South Africa?

The standard requirement before one can practice as a lawyer is completing an LLB degree which takes 4 years.

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

The 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. Universities such as WITS no longer offer a straight LLB but require students to first study a BCom ...

What do lawyers do in South Africa?

Attorney works in law firms, write contracts and meet with clients, while advocate are the ones that wear a robe and stand up to argue in front of a judge.

What is an advocate?

Advocates are self employed but are generally members of a “bar council” which is a body that helps to oversee and guide the profession. They are primarily experts in the art of presenting and arguing cases in court. This requires a mastery of law and the facts of the case. Good judgment and the ability to present a case clearly and coherently are an absolute must. Each case requires good preparation and organization.

What is a prosecutor?

A prosecutor is the lawyer that acts on behalf of the government against people accused of a crime. Prosecutors get exposure to a wide variety of legal situations. This provides an excellent learning experience and an interesting career.

When does a matter get handed over to an advocate?

Only once the matter proceeds to court does it get handed over to an advocate. Before then, the attorney must define the legal issues and attempt to seek alternative ways to resolve the dispute while protecting the interest of his or her client.

Can an attorney appear in court?

Like advocates, attorneys can now also appear in the higher courts. In practice however, court appearance is still usually handled by advocates. The attorney is the person with whom you first make contact when you seek legal advice. The service that he or she supplies needs to be broad enough to cover a wide field of legal problems. Only once the matter proceeds to court does it get handed over to an advocate. Before then, the attorney must define the legal issues and attempt to seek alternative ways to resolve the dispute while protecting the interest of his or her client.

Academic Qualifications

Service Under Articles of Clerkship Or Service Contract

• There are various methods to obtain the practical qualification to be admitted as an attorney in South Africa. An applicant must complete at least: 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 f...

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Appropriate Legal Practice