how to be a lawyer in south africa

^{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 senior member of the Law Society

What are the requirements to become an attorney 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.

How do I get an LLB degree in South Africa?

The degree must be earned at an accredited law school in South Africa but if you are graduate with a law degree outside of South Africa, you will have to contact the NFA to verify whether your degree is equivalent to an LLB in South Africa.

What are the requirements to become a solicitor?

Further, all persons wishing to enter the profession must pass a competency-based examination determined by the Legal Practice Council. Extracts from the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014:

What makes a person a fit and proper lawyer?

A person must be regarded as a fit and proper person by the Law Society and the High Court before he can be admitted as an attorney. 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.

How many years does it take to become a lawyer in SA?

4 yearsHow long does it take to become a lawyer in South Africa? It takes at least 4 years to become a lawyer in South Africa. However, if you would like to become an attorney, you will need to complete a 4 year LLB degree and 2 years of articles for a total of at least 6 years.

How much do South African lawyers earn?

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

What subjects is needed to become a lawyer? You should study English, government, history and public speaking. These courses will help you prepare for a law career. Philosophy, economics and mathematics are also important subjects to consider.

What qualifications I need to be a lawyer?

To fulfill the requirements for becoming a lawyer, would-be lawyers earn a bachelor's degree, attend law school and then sit for a bar exam, which is necessary to obtain a license to practice, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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...•

Which type of lawyer gets paid the most?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

What does LLB stand for?

Bachelor of LawsBachelor of Laws (abbreviated as LL. B., LLB, or rarely Ll. B.) is an undergraduate law degree. In most common law countries (with the exceptions of all Canadian provinces except Quebec, and the U.S.), the LL. B.

Which university is best for law?

Here are the best law schoolsYale University.Stanford University.University of Chicago.Columbia University.Harvard University.University of Pennsylvania (Carey)New York University.University of Virginia.More items...

Which university is best for law in South Africa?

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.

Is maths required for law?

No, mathematics is not necessary to opt for Law Course after 12th. After 12th one can apply for 5 years Integrated LL. B. Degree course through entrance exam like CLAT(Common Law Admission Test) for admission to reputed Institutions under National Law University.

What subjects do I need to study for law?

There aren't any specific subjects required to study law but history will come as an advantage, as there is a focus on the history in certain law modules. The minimum requirement to study law is a NQF level 4 certificate, which is a National Senior Certificate or a Senior Certificate.

Are lawyers rich?

Most lawyers earn more of a solid middle-class income," says Devereux. You probably will be carrying a large amount of student loan debt from law school, which is not at all ideal when you're just starting out in your career. "Make sure you only become a lawyer if you actually want to work as a lawyer.

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 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 ...

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); ...

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 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 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 become an attorney in South Africa?

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.

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.

What is a PLT course?

This is a compulsory course in practical legal training that teaches you legal skills and prepares you for your board exams. You will need to complete your PLT before you can be admitted as an attorney. Some big firms provide an “in-house” PLT course.

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 become an attorney?

Once you have completed at least six months of your articles of clerkship, PLT course and proven to be fit to serve as an attorney, you can then take the Attorneys Admission Examination.

What do lawyers need to know?

Lawyers have to understand and analyze large amounts of information. They must read quickly and figure out what’s important to their case. Then, they need to effectively communicate this information in writing. Some legal specialities lean primarily on speaking, while other careers focus entirely on writing. However, all lawyers need to be able to read, write, and speak effectively.

What do you need to prove to become an attorney?

This involves showing your moral integrity and honesty in everything you do, including your work. Also, there is an interview during the application process to the Law Society by a senior member and this is when attention is placed on issues such as previous convictions.

Can a lawyer work for their clients?

Lawyers can not work effectively for their clients unless they are able to listen and comprehend what is being communicated. Cases often hinge on the details, and a lawyer must be able to pick up on those details.

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.

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.

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.

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..

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 .

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 –

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