Can a foreigner be a lawyer in South Africa?

Asked by: Tyson Grady  |  Last update: August 7, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (40 votes)

This is in accordance to the Legal Practice Act - which only allows South Africans and permanent citizens to be admitted as lawyers. It is despite non-citizens being allowed to study law at South African universities.

Can a foreigner work as a lawyer in South Africa?

A person must be a South African citizen or permanent resident and be otherwise fit and proper in the opinion of the court to be admitted as a legal practitioner. For further information, please contact the Legal Practice Council.

Why can't foreigners practice law in South Africa?

Foreign law graduates who have lived, studied and completed articles and pupillage in South Africa do not qualify. The court said non-citizens have no rights under Section 22 of the Constitution which entrenches the rights of citizens to choose their trade occupation and profession.

How do you qualify as a lawyer in South Africa?

The basic requirement is an LLB degree from any South African university. Having achieved this, the next step is to apply to the High Court to be included on the 'roll' of advocates. To do this, an applicant must satisfy the court that he/she is both qualified and able to be a member of the profession.

Is becoming a lawyer in South Africa worth it?

A career in law can be immensely rewarding and offer job satisfaction. This is especially so when you are able to provide the client with a solution in an expeditious and cost effective manner. However it also has its drawbacks, the biggest of which must be the high levels of stress which lawyers work under.

Concourt rules against foreign nationals practicing law in SA

40 related questions found

Do lawyers get paid well in South Africa?

The legal profession in South Africa offers one of the highest-paying and most lucrative careers in the country, with many legacy and emerging fields requiring highly skilled individuals to make sure affairs are in order.

Are attorneys in demand in South Africa?

South Africa has different types of lawyers, and criminal attorneys are in high demand. These are professionals who defend individuals, organisations, and entities charged with crimes. They draft, file, and argue motions on behalf of clients.

Is it hard to become a lawyer 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.

Can a South African lawyer practice in the US?

It can sometimes be difficult to practice law in the U.S. as a foreign-trained lawyer, but it's not impossible. Each state has different requirements, so how you go about it can depend on where you live and want to work. Potential lawyers must sit for the bar exam in the state where they hope to practice.

What is the new laws for foreigners in South Africa?

Under the bill, foreign nationals would only be permitted to work in South Africa if they have the appropriate work visa, have an asylum seeker permit endorsed with the right to work or if they are permitted to work according to an international agreement.

Are foreigners allowed in South Africa?

The Immigration Act provides for the admission of foreigners to, their residence in and departure from South Africa and matters connected therewith including the ability of foreigners to work in South Africa.

What are the two kinds of lawyers in South Africa?

We will explore some of these types of lawyers here, and what they do.
  • Divorce lawyer. When terminating a marriage there are many legal aspects that need to be addressed. ...
  • Family lawyer. ...
  • Immigration lawyer. ...
  • Criminal lawyer. ...
  • Accident and personal injury lawyer. ...
  • Business and corporate lawyer. ...
  • Bankruptcy lawyer. ...
  • Labour law lawyer.

Who can legally work in South Africa?

You can apply for a South Africa work visa without a job offer if you are applying for a critical skills work visa. However, as mentioned above, to be eligible for this type of work you must meet specific requirements. Otherwise, you must have a job offer to qualify for other types of work visas.

What type of lawyer can work internationally?

An international lawyer is trained in law to resolve legal issues in court focused on international disputes for businesses, trade, civil, and criminal cases. As an international lawyer, you can work for a firm and follow a standard legal pathway while assisting international clients.

How long is law course in South Africa?

The four-year programme comprises mostly law subjects with several Humanity or Commerce subjects at first year level. You must take certain core law subjects if you wish to graduate with an LLB. Other subjects form a set of electives you can choose from.

Is there a bar exam in South Africa?

The board exam consists of four examinations that you need to pass as a requirement for becoming a registered attorney in South Africa. This exam is now called the 'competency-based examination for admission as an attorney'.

What is the difference between lawyer and advocate in South Africa?

An advocate is also a lawyer, however, to qualify as an advocate you will need to do one year of apprenticeship, called 'pupilage', write a Bar exam at the General Council of the Bar, and be admitted to the Bar by the High Court of South Africa.

What kind of lawyer makes the most money in South Africa?

General Counsel salary in South Africa 2023

In South Africa, a general counsel earns an average salary of R1,185,677.00 yearly. The highest-paid lawyers in South Africa, according to the Robert Walters salary benchmark, are general counsels in the financial services, commercial, and industrial sectors.

What are lawyers called in South Africa?

There is not difference between a lawyer and an attorney, other than semantics. In different regions around the world, licenced legal professionals are called by different names. In South Africa, we refer to someone who performs a legal function as lawyers or attorneys (which can be used interchangeably).

Who pays lawyers in South Africa?

Typically the purchaser pays the transfer fees charged by the conveyancing attorneys attending to the transfer of the property into the purchaser's name.

Do lawyers earn more than doctors in South Africa?

The average salary of a qualified lawyer in South Africa is R 45,000 per month while that of doctors is R 50,000 per month. As you can notice, doctors earn better than lawyers at all levels. If you are into self-employment, as a lawyer you will start a law firm and as a doctor you will operate a clinic.

How much does a lawyer earn per month near Johannesburg?

The average salary for a Lawyer is ZAR 76,118 per month in Johannesburg, South Africa. Salaries estimates are based on 51 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Lawyer employees in Johannesburg, South Africa. What is the highest salary for a Lawyer in Johannesburg, South Africa?

Are state lawyers free in South Africa?

You don't pay for legal aid

If you qualify for legal aid, and we have agreed to represent you, you will not have to pay for anything. In fact, Legal Aid South Africa lawyers may not ask for or be paid any money when they assist you with your case.