Can a Nigerian lawyer practice in South Africa?

Asked by: Heather Kris  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 4.3/5 (49 votes)

In terms of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014, foreign lawyers need to qualify as legal practitioners in South Africa in order to practise as such. ... 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.

Can a Nigerian trained lawyer practice in South Africa?

Namibia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Lesotho are the only countries that have been designated countries in terms of this particular provision. 8 Advocates from these countries may be allowed to practice across border in South Africa.

What qualifications do I need to be a lawyer in South Africa?

The Qualification of Legal Practitioners Amendment Act of 1997 confirms that an LLB Law Degree is required to practice law in South Africa. The degree is required to be achieved from an accredited South African law school in South Africa which could be one of the leading Universities in South Africa and/or a college.

What fields of law are in demand in South Africa?

Therefore, lawyers that are experienced in areas like complex civil litigation, commercial litigation, insurance defense, labor and employment, and other related niches are always in high demand in the country.

What jobs can I get with a LLB law degree in South Africa?

Possible job titles related to law
  • Administrative lawyer.
  • Advocate.
  • Arbitrator.
  • Attorney.
  • Case manager.
  • Commercial rights manager.
  • Compliance officer.
  • Compliance specialist.

Law Weekly: Nigerian And S African Lawyers Set Up Global Best Practices Forum

44 related questions found

Which type of lawyer gets paid the most in South Africa?

Top earners include General Counsel (GC) and partners, both of which can expect to take home R5 million a year at the high-end of market. At the other end of the scale, candidate attorneys can expect to earn between R250,000 and R300,000 a year at top law firms.

Which university is best for law in SA?

University of Cape Town (UCT)

QS World Rankings ranks UCT as the top university to study law in South Africa. The university is recognized for producing law graduates that are highly sought after both locally and internationally.

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.

What can I do with an LLB?

Graduates with a law degree can also find positions working in the finance, business, marketing, administration, copy center, secretarial (as legal assistant, for example), research, publishing, editing, law recruitment, library or IT department of a large law firm.

What does LLB stand for?

The LLB is an abbreviation of the Latin 'Legum Baccalaureus' which translates to a Bachelor of Laws degree.

How long do u study to become a lawyer in South Africa?

The standard requirement before one can practice as a lawyer is completing an LLB degree which takes 4 years. Alternatively, some students choose to first study a BCom or BA which takes 3 years and then study another 2 years to complete their LLB.

What do attorneys earn in South Africa?

The average lawyer salary in South Africa is R 847 950 per year or R 435 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 324 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 8 400 000 per year.

Does South Africa have a bar exam?

The General Council of the Bar is the association of all the local Bar Councils in South Africa who operate the individual Bar Examinations.

Can a Nigerian lawyer practice in UK?

This is the traditional route to getting qualified to practice law in the UK. It is akin to the Law School in the Nigerian legal education system. This is the route followed by those who obtained their LLB in the UK. ... If the application is successful, the law firm will give the applicant a training contract.

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

Luckily these are compulsory subjects at high schools in South African.
  • English. In law school, you will be required to read a lot of case law, academic articles and textbooks. ...
  • Math v Math Literacy. ...
  • History. ...
  • Business Studies, Accounting, Economics. ...
  • A third language. ...
  • Drama. ...
  • Physical Science and Biology.

What are the requirements to study LLB at Unisa?

Qualification admission requirements

a Senior Certificate (SC) with matriculation exemption or qualify for the exemption from the Matriculation Board with at least a D symbol on HG or a C symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning. a Higher Certificate.

What a level grades do you need to be a lawyer?

Entry requirements

A levels – To get on to a law degree you will usually require a minimum of two A levels, with three A levels and A grades needed for the most popular courses. Entry requirements range from BCC to AAA, with the universities and colleges most commonly asking for ABB.

How many years does it take to become a lawyer?

Before law school, students must complete a Bachelor's degree in any subject (law isn't an undergraduate degree), which takes four years. Then, students complete their Juris Doctor (JD) degree over the next three years. In total, law students in the United States are in school for at least seven years.

Can I study law at Unisa?

The College of Law provides comprehensive open distance learning in a socially responsible and distinctive manner that produces excellent scholarship and research, provides quality tuition and fosters active community engagement.

Where can I study LLB part time in South Africa?

The LLB degree is offered on a part-time basis by the School of Law, via the Centre for Extended Legal Studies, both in Pietermaritzburg and in Durban (Howard College Campus) and provides a flexible option for individuals who are not able to attend lectures during working hours.

Is Unisa LLB Recognised internationally?

Unisa is internationally recognized to the extent that it has students from different parts of the world. The question whether you might be required to take some sort of test in the host country if you go and work overseas doesn't necessarily speak to the international recognition of the institution you studied at.

How much do LLB graduates earn in South Africa?

The average llb law salary in South Africa is R 701 898 per year or R 360 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 150 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 5 486 400 per year.

Is law a good career choice in South Africa?

Legal career options in South Africa

Choosing law as a career can be rewarding and exciting but it also requires hard work, dedication and a high level of commitment. ... Attorneys in South Africa are also able to appear in court and represent clients should they have their right of appearance which can be applied for.

Which field of law is in demand?

Specializations- Cyber Law, Banking Law, Intellectual Property Law, etc. Certain areas in law have experienced vast development and growth. This growth would reflect directly in increased market demand for lawyers specializing in fields such as cyberlaw, tax law, intellectual property law, etc.