How long does it take to become a lawyer in South Africa?

Asked by: Mrs. Kitty Ondricka  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (8 votes)

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.

How long does it take to become a lawyer in SA?

The LLB Law Degree should be completed in four years, however should you attend to the BCom Law Degree in addition it can take up to five years. If you graduate with a law degree outside of South Africa, you will have to contact the NFA to verify whether your degree is equivalent to an LLB in South Africa.

How long does it take to be a lawyer?

Regardless of where you go to law school, it takes approximately six or seven years to become a lawyer. Many countries have slightly different requirements, including shorter law schools, studying law as an undergraduate, and practical course requirements.

What does it take to become a lawyer in South Africa?

The South African law requires that a lawyer obtain a law degree, work several years in a legal setting and pass an admissions exam. You must also be at least 21-years-old and a citizen or legal resident of South Africa.

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.

How to become a lawyer in South Africa ||Don’t be a lawyer???

37 related questions found

What type of lawyer is highest paid?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice area
  • Patent attorney: $180,000.
  • Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
  • Trial attorneys: $134,000.
  • Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Employment lawyer: $87,000.
  • Real Estate attorney: $86,000.
  • Divorce attorney: $84,000.

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.

What does LLB stand for?

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

How do I start to become a lawyer?

  1. Step 1: Make Your decision. To become a lawyer, students have to choose between two options, whether to do law after 12th or after graduation. ...
  2. Step 2: Qualify Yourself. ...
  3. Step 3: Apply for the Entrance Test. ...
  4. Step 4: Apply for Law School Admission. ...
  5. Step 5: After Admission in Law School. ...
  6. Step 6: Search for Jobs.

Is it hard to become a lawyer?

The BLS reports that it typically takes seven years of full-time postsecondary education to become a lawyer. ... Law schools are highly competitive to gain acceptance, and aspiring lawyers will need to pass the daunting LSAT to prove their worth—a process that can take a full year of study and preparation.

Is law school difficult?

In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.

How long is LLB at Unisa?

12. The rules from 2018 onwards are presented per NQF level below. 13. The minimum duration is 4 years.

What school subjects are needed to become a lawyer?

Required High School Subjects
  • English. In law school, you will be required to read a lot of case law, academic articles and textbooks. ...
  • Math v Math Literacy. Law school is about reading, reading and more reading. ...
  • History. ...
  • Business Studies, Accounting, Economics. ...
  • A third language. ...
  • Drama. ...
  • Physical Science and Biology.

Is law a good career 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. The legal industry in South Africa is exceptionally competitive and there are many different career paths to choose from.

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.

What can you do with an LLB degree in South Africa?

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

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.

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.

Can you become a lawyer with maths literacy?

Only a few courses in the Faculties of Humanities and Law will accept students with Maths Literacy on a National Senior Certificate (NSC). ... Even some Humanities and Law courses require you to have an understanding of mathematics.

How much do law schools cost in South Africa?

Different South African law schools have different tuition fees, eg University of Pretoria charges R31,430 to R40,000 to South African students for their taught LLM courses and international students have to pay an additional R3,130.

Is med school harder than law school?

It is much more difficult to get into medical school than law school. At Yale and Harvard, for example, it is more difficult to get into their medical schools than it is to get into their law schools. The grades need to be higher, and the available spaces are fewer.

Are all lawyers rich?

The majority of lawyers, or rather attorneys, are not rich, but many of them make a decent income in exchange for complex work.

What qualifications do I need to study law?

The minimum requirement to study law is a NQF level 4 certificate, which a National Senior Certificate or a Senior Certificate. For most universities a minimum Admissions Point Score (APS) score of 21 points is need for admission, but you'll find that certain universities requires a minimum of 33 points to study law.