How many years does it take to be an advocate in SA?

Asked by: Ebony Leannon  |  Last update: November 4, 2023
Score: 5/5 (67 votes)

How do I become an Advocate? The basic requirement is an LLB degree of any South African University (you will need either a four year LLB or a three year undergraduate degree (BA, BCOM, or a BSC) plus a two year LLB from any South African university).

How long does it take to become an advocate in SA?

It takes at least 4 years to become a lawyer in South Africa. However, if you would like to become an attorney, you will need to complete a 4 year LLB degree and 2 years of articles for a total of at least 6 years.

What skills do you need to be a good advocate?

10 Skills You Need as Advocacy Officer
  • #1 Communication skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential for Advocacy officers. ...
  • #2 Networking. ...
  • #3 Presentation skills. ...
  • #4 Drafting skills. ...
  • #5 Research. ...
  • #6 Analytical skills. ...
  • #7 Teamwork. ...
  • #8 Taking the lead.

How many advocates are there in SA?

Advocates (called barristers in England) make up the 'bar' and are commonly referred to as 'counsel'. They specialize in preparing court cases, appearing before courts and other tribunals and giving legal opinions. In 2018 there were 5396 practising advocates in South Africa.

How do I become an advocate in SA?

  1. To become an advocate you must be admitted to the Roll of Advocates, a statutory register kept by the official of the High Court.
  2. 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.

Life of a Law Graduate | Why I studied a Paralegal Course | South Africa | Road to 1K subs!

32 related questions found

What is the difference between attorney and advocate?

I often get calls asking about whether someone should to use an attorney or an advocate. My short answer is “there is no difference.” Attorneys and Advocates both represent claimants the same way and have the same authority. One major difference is that most Advocates have not gone to law school.

Who is the highest paid advocate?

Ram Jethmalani was an expert in both criminal and civil law. Ram Jethmalani worked as a law professor, jurist, businessman, attorney, politician, and philanthropist. He was the highest-paid lawyers in India charging Rs. 25 lakh every hearing.

How much does an advocate charge per hour in South Africa?

Several senior advocates and lawyers who spoke to City Press said South Africa's top advocates charge as much as R45? 000 per day. At a very conservative estimate of only 15 hours of work per week, at R4? 500 an hour, and deducting 20% for expenses, advocates could go home with an annual salary of nearly R3?

Who pays advocates in South Africa?

The attorney will pay the advocate first from their own account and later the client pays the attorney for such fees. There may be additional legal expenses incurred as a result of such a distinction between attorneys and advocates.

Is it hard to be an advocate?

Advocates need to possess a mix of hard and soft skills to be effective representatives for their clients. They should be very understanding, non-judgmental and excellent communicators. Professionals in this field must also be trustworthy, as many victims will find it hard to trust anyone after their ordeals.

What is the best job for an advocate?

10 Careers in Advocacy That Make a Real Difference
  • Victim advocate. When someone is the victim of a crime, it destabilizes their whole world. ...
  • Shelter advocate. ...
  • Guidance counselor. ...
  • Youth worker. ...
  • Mental health advocate. ...
  • Community health worker. ...
  • Social media manager. ...
  • Researcher.

What are three things you need to be an advocate?

Working as an advocate can be a meaningful experience for those who want to help others. There are a variety of different types of advocates, including customer advocates, patient advocates, victim advocates and youth advocates. Working as any type of advocate requires empathy, organization and communication skills .

Can a foreigner become an advocate 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.

Is it better to be an advocate or attorney in South Africa?

Advocates generally need skills to present and argue cases in court while attorneys mostly use their general knowledge of the law to consult with their clients and give legal advice. Both of these career paths can lead to high salaries and job satisfaction.

Can an advocate open a law firm in South Africa?

Every advocate practises individually in his or her own name. The ethical rules for advocates do not allow them to practise in partnership or through a legal entity such as a company or a close corporation.

Are advocates in demand in South Africa?

Litigation attorneys are among the types of advocates in high demand today. They defend people in civil lawsuits. Unlike criminal layers, these experts deal with civil cases where neither of the parties involved faces the penalty of jail time. They earn about R269,789 annually.

How much does a junior advocate charge in South Africa?

Depending on whether the Counsel is Junior or Senior, Junior Counsel's charges may vary between R900 p/h and R1500 p/h.

What type 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.

Who is the richest lawyers in the US?

The Top 10 Richest Lawyers in America
  • #9 – William Barr | $50 Million. ...
  • #8 – Roy Black | $65 Million. ...
  • #7 – John Branca | $100 Million. ...
  • #6 – Robert Shapiro | $120 Million. ...
  • #5 – Willie E. ...
  • #3 – Bill Neukom | $850 Million. ...
  • #2 – Jerry Reinsdorf | $1.8 Billion. ...
  • #1 – Peter Angelos | $2 Billion.

Who is the lawyer with most won cases?

Gerry Spence is widely considered one of the most successful trial and criminal attorneys in America. He has never once lost a criminal case — either as a prosecutor or a defense attorney — and he hasn't lost a civil case since 1969.

Which type of lawyer is the best?

Among the types of lawyers, Corporate Law experts are in great demand due to their specialization in contract law, securities law, bankruptcy, tax law, accounting, intellectual property rights, licensing, zoning laws, etc.

What does an advocate do in South Africa?

Advocates also give legal opinions and help with the drafting of legal documents that are required in every walk of life, be they commercial, industrial or domestic. 5.2 How do I become an advocate? The basic requirement is an LLB degree from any South African university.

Is an attorney more powerful than a lawyer?

What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney? 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.

Is there a difference between attorney and lawyer 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).