The Procedures to Incorporate a Law Firm in South Africa
Can you register a law firm with CIPC?
Practicing as a Sole Proprietor amounts to practising in a personal capacity. Partnerships may only be entered into between attorneys. Incorporated companies must be registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and comply with the Companies Act and CIPC regulation requirements.
Can a non lawyer own a law firm in South Africa?
In South Africa, any citizen over the age of 18 can own a law firm. However, there are a few requirements that must be met in order to be a practicing lawyer in the country. First, one must complete an accredited law degree from a university in South Africa.
Can a law firm be registered as a company?
All professional firms shall be registered like any other companies.
Who can open a law firm in South Africa?
The key formal requirements to open a law firm in South Africa according to the Legal Practice Act of 2014 (the LPA) which a legal practitioner as an attorney must comply with to open and operate a law practise for his or her account. In summary, before an attorney can do so, he or she must:
- Be admitted as such by the High Court.
- Be enrolled to practice by the South African Legal Practice Council (LPC).
- Operate a trust account.
- Be in possession of a Fidelity Fund certificate.
- Not receive or hold funds or property belonging to any person unless in possession of a Fidelity Fund certificate.
- Keep the required accounting records for the trust account practice.
- Have completed a legal practice management course approved by the LPC, if practising for the first time.
What does Incorporated mean in a law firm?
Incorporation means that assets belong to the company and you merely transfer/issue shares to the new partner.
How long does it take to become a lawyer in South Africa?
In South Africa, it takes a minimum of 6 years before becoming a lawyer,. 4 Years for the LLB degree and 2 years of articles. You will also have to complete the 4 board exams and be admitted to as an attorney by the high court of South Africa.
