If you are seriously considering becoming a lawyer in South Africa, there is a lot you need to know. It’s a high paying career that can give you a chance to make a real difference, if you’re interested in business, corporate law, criminal justice, or human rights advocacy. But it’s important to know it takes a lot of studying, training, and hard work.
Here’s a basic breakdown of what’s involved, from university to career options:
With an LLB, you can pursue various career paths. You could work as an attorney, advocate, legal advisor, or magistrate. Opportunities also exist within government departments like the National Prosecuting Authority, or with organizations like Legal Aid, NGOs, or the South African Police Service.
Step 1: Get the Right Qualifications
To become a lawyer in South Africa, you need a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree; this is the minimum qualification required to practice law. The LLB is a four-year undergraduate degree; however, if you already have a different bachelor’s degree, you can complete a two-year postgraduate LLB.
To get into the LLB program, you’ll need good grades. For example, the University of Johannesburg has specific requirements for your marks. Legal Aid SA, which provides legal help to those who can’t afford it, also looks for strong academic performance if you want to join their training program.
Reputable LLB programs are offered at universities like Wits, UCT, Stellenbosch, UNISA, UKZN, University of Johannesburg (UJ) and University of Pretoria (UP).
The subjects covered in this degree are Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Contract Law, Property Law, and Legal Ethics.
Some students opt to first complete a BA Law or BCom Law degree before pursuing an LLB. This decision can provide a broader knowledge base, furthermore, it can improve job prospects in commercial law.
Step 2: Complete Practical Legal Training
After obtaining your LLB, you’re not ready to practice just yet. You need to gain practical experience through articles of clerkship or a law school program. Articles of clerkship involve a two-year internship at a law firm; during this time, you work under a qualified attorney.
An alternative option is Practical Legal Training (PLT) at Law School; instead of doing two years of articles, you can complete a six-month full-time or one-year part-time program at a registered law school.
Some law firms offer candidate attorney programs; they train new graduates before admitting them as attorneys.
Step 3: Write and Pass the Board Exams
To officially practice law in South Africa, you must pass the Attorneys’ Admission Examinations, which cover:
- Legal Practice & Ethics
- High Court & Magistrate’s Court Procedures
- Wills & Estates
- Contracts & Business Law
These exams are administered by the Legal Practice Council (LPC) and are held twice a year.
Step 4: Get Admitted as an Attorney or Advocate
After passing the board exams, you must apply to the High Court to be officially admitted as an attorney. This process requires you to complete your articles of clerkship or PLT; pass the board exams; and submit an application for admission through a legal practitioner.
If you want to become an advocate, the process is slightly different. Advocates work independently, specialize in courtroom litigation, and must join the General Council of the Bar (GCB). Instead of completing articles, they do pupillage, a 12-month training period under a senior advocate.
Specializations in Law
Law is a diverse field, and choosing a specialization can shape your career path. Popular areas include:
- Corporate Law
- Criminal Law
- Human Rights Law
- Property Law
- Family Law
- Tax Law
How Much Do Lawyers Earn in South Africa?
Earnings depend on experience, specialization, and employer. Here’s what you can expect:
- Candidate Attorneys: R8,000 – R15,000 per month
- Junior Attorneys: R20,000 – R40,000 per month (0-3 years of experience)
- Mid-Level Attorneys: R45,000 – R80,000 per month (4-9 years of experience)
- Senior Attorneys & Partners: R100,000+ per month
- Advocates: Income varies significantly as they charge per case.
Corporate lawyers and those working in specialized fields like commercial and tax law tend to earn the highest salaries.
Law can be a fulfilling and profitable career. However, it requires hard work, long hours, and continuous learning. If you’re up for the challenge, the rewards, both financial and personal, can be well worth it.