How long does it take to become an advocate in South Africa?
Asked by: Sim Turcotte | Last update: July 25, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (72 votes)
To become a lawyer in South Africa takes a minimum of 6 years. 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.
How many years does it take to be an advocate in SA?
The only academic qualification that is presently recognised for the purpose of admission as an attorney is an LLB degree (the course duration of which is not less than four years) obtained at any university in the Republic.
What degree to be an advocate?
You'll need at least an associate or a bachelor's degree in a field like criminal justice, social work, human rights or psychology. There are certificates available, too, which when combined with a degree, can open up more job opportunities.
What is the difference between lawyer and advocate in South Africa?
In South Africa, attorneys handle general legal tasks like client consultation and document preparation, while advocates specialise in courtroom advocacy and are usually hired by attorneys to represent clients in higher courts.
Are advocates in demand in South Africa?
Yes, lawyers are in demand in South Africa, especially in corporate, criminal, human rights, environmental, and intellectual property law, due to economic, social, and legal developments.
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What type of lawyer is most in demand in South Africa?
In its annual salary survey for 2022, specialist professional recruitment firm Robert Walters revealed the most in demand legal jobs in South Africa were general counsels in the financial services, commercial and industrial sectors.
Can you be an advocate without being a lawyer?
If you are interested in becoming a legal advocate, you might consider volunteering first in a niche that you are particularly interested in. While most legal advocacy jobs demand at least some legal experience or education along with a willingness to learn, some require a law degree.
Which degree is best for advocate?
Students with a science background find it easy to pursue a BSc LLB as a career in law. With this law degree, you can find diverse roles such as Advocate, Legal Advisor, Solicitor, Legal Manager, and Law Officer and can expect an average salary of 3 - 6LPA.
What are three things you need to be an advocate?
- Passion For an Issue. The first part of being an advocate will likely be the easiest for most. ...
- Dedication to Communication. The next part of the recipe for being an advocate, is typically the most intimidating for those new to advocacy. ...
- Commitment to Building Relationships.
Can a foreigner become an advocate in South Africa?
See 'Becoming a legal practitioner'. Further requirements with regard to admission are provided in the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014. 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.
What is the highest paying job in South Africa?
- Neurosurgeon – R3 million to R5 million.
- Cardiothoracic surgeon – R2. ...
- Ship captain (Deep sea/Specialised cargo) – R2 million to R3. ...
- Actuary (with experience) – R1. ...
- Mining engineer (deep level) – R1. ...
- Legal partner (corporate law) – R1.
Which law pays the most in South Africa?
The highest paying fields of law in South Africa typically include corporate law, intellectual property law, and mergers and acquisitions. These areas often involve complex legal issues and high-value transactions, contributing to higher salaries.
Which law degree is the best in South Africa?
LLD Law. The University of Pretoria Faculty of Law is the highest ranked law faculty in Africa and in South Africa - according to the 2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
How much do South African advocates earn?
Q2. What is the average income for a lawyer in South Africa? The average income for a lawyer depends on experience. Entry-level lawyers earn R142,372 annually, mid-career lawyers earn R297,885 annually and experienced lawyers and partners earn over R844,000 annually.
Can you get a job as an advocate?
Advocates work within the Social Services sector and fight for the needs and rights of other people. This can include jobs such as lawyers, mental health counselors, and patients' rights advocates in the medical field. Often social workers are advocates for people with psychological, legal, or addiction issues.
Which type of advocate is best?
Corporate Lawyer
Corporate lawyers are best in advising and representing organizations, companies, and companies in various elements in their operations.
What type of lawyer is highest in demand?
Some of the most universally in-demand legal specialties include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law. Other quickly growing areas of law also include intellectual property law, data privacy and cybersecurity law, litigation, and labor and employment law.
What are the three golden rules of advocacy?
THE GOLDEN RULES
To increase your chances of success when advocating, remember these 3 golden rules: be Polite, be Prepared, and be Persistent.
Is an attorney more powerful than a lawyer?
It is helpful to remember that all attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys. The major difference is that attorneys can represent clients in court and other legal proceedings, while lawyers cannot.
What is the easiest state to become a lawyer in?
Going by the 2021 bar exam passing rates, Wyoming has the easiest bar exam to pass. However, we don't really get the full picture by just looking at the passing rates. Each state's bar exam can differ in difficulty and content.
How to become an advocate in South Africa?
You must apply to the High Court, on affidavit, stating that you are honest, have not committed any criminal offenses, have an LLB degree and are fit and proper to be an advocate. You must appear before the High Court to promise to uphold the Constitution, after which you may call yourself an advocate.
Is there a shortage of lawyers in South Africa?
The paper concludes that there are not enough lawyers in the country at present to provide access to justice in the narrow sense, and suggests how this shortage can be overcome by using mechanisms that provide alternatives to lawyers.
What law earns the most money?
- Patent Attorneys.
- Intellectual property (IP) Attorneys.
- Trial Lawyers.
- Tax Attorneys.
- Corporate Lawyers.