In South Africa, there are two types of legal practitioners: attorneys who undertake general legal work and advocates who are litigators. Attorneys can form professional firms and practice in partnerships ranging in size from small to large, such as the “Big Five” legal firms. The Attorneys Act of 1979 governs the profession (Act No. 53 of 1979). The LSSA currently represents over 21400 attorneys and 5000 aspirant attorneys in South Africa (Law Society of South Africa)
The academic qualification required for admittance as an attorney is an LLB from a South African university; see Bachelor of Laws South Africa and Legal education in South Africa. (Historically, a B.Proc. degree was also available.) The candidate attorney then serves “articles” with a practicing attorney for a period specified by the candidate’s qualification (generally two years if an appropriate legal degree has been obtained); the length of articles may be reduced by attending a practical legal training course or performing community service. In addition, the candidate must pass a “board exam” given by the applicable province Law Society. The examination consists of the following components:
Paper 1: Practice and procedure (criminal procedure, supreme court procedure, magistrates’ court procedure, and claims for motor vehicle accidents);
Paper 2: Wills and Estate Planning
Paper 3: Attorneys’ practices, contracts, and ethical standards;
Paper 4: Legal accounting.
Attorneys can also become Notaries and Conveyancers by passing the Conveyancing and Notarial Practice Examinations;[6] those with technical or scientific skills can even become patent attorneys (see South Africa).
Although not technically required for practice, additional training, such as in tax, is typically obtained through specialized postgraduate diplomas or LL.M. programs.
Clients hire attorneys directly to act as the “manager” of contentious matters. Although both attorneys and advocates may appear in the High Court of South Africa, when specialist litigation is required, they will ‘brief’ an advocate.
In South Africa, the distinction between attorney and advocate mimics the distinction between solicitor and barrister in other Commonwealth countries, with attorneys performing broadly identical functions to solicitors and advocates performing broadly equivalent roles to barristers.
What are the primary responsibilities of a lawyer?
Provide legal advice and representation to clients in court, before government agencies, and in private legal problems.
Communicate with their clients, coworkers, judges, and other parties engaged in the case.
Conduct legal problem study and analysis.
Individuals and corporations can rely on us to interpret laws, judgements, and regulations.
What does a lawyer earn in South Africa?
In South Africa, the average lawyer pay is R 660 000 per year, or R 338 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level professions start at R 243 000 per year, with most experienced professionals earning up to R 7 200 000 per year.
In South Africa, how long does it take to study law?
In South Africa, becoming a lawyer takes at least four years. To become an attorney, however, you must complete a four-year LLB degree and two years of articles, for a total of at least six years.
