Is law a good career choice in South Africa?

Asked by: Mrs. Kenna West I  |  Last update: August 9, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (68 votes)

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.

Is LLB a good career option in South Africa?

In South Africa, an LLB is necessary for a career as a Legal practitioner. An LLB is ideal for those who want to become judges or magistrates as it allows you to specialise in various aspects of the law. With an LLB, you can specialise in whatever area of law you want to pursue as a career.

Is law a career in demand in South Africa?

South Africa is a country with always a high demand for attorneys who specialize in litigation. Therefore, in order to succeed in life, law firms that specialize in subjects such as civil law, commercial law, insurance defense, and labor or employment must find themselves high-demand throughout the country.

Is it worth studying law in South Africa?

Law students have a great chance of getting a job or internship straight out of university and completing their studies. While a large percentage of law graduates will go on to practise law, many others study Law just because it's a prestigious degree which opens a vista of other occupations.

Which type of lawyer earns most?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:
  • Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ...
  • Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ...
  • Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ...
  • Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ...
  • Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING LAW

18 related questions found

Is it easy to get a job as a lawyer 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.

Which type of lawyer is in demand?

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.

Which law course is best?

Here is a list of some of the top diploma courses in law after 12th for aspirants to pursue:
  • Diploma in Corporate Laws & Management.
  • Diploma in Taxation Laws.
  • Diploma in Women Studies & Gender Justice.
  • Diploma in Criminal Law.
  • Diploma in International Laws.
  • Diploma in Labour Laws.
  • Diploma in Labour Laws & Labour Welfare.

Is law career in demand?

Law as a profession is in great demand these days. Due to the changing social and economic circumstances and the ever-increasing regulatory role being undertaken by the government there is a rising demand for the lawyers. Besides being financially lucrative, Law is an adventurous and exciting career option.

Which type of law pays the most in South Africa?

The most lucrative corporate law section is usually the one that deals with intellectual property rights and patency. The average annual earnings of a senior corporate counsel in this field is as much as R1. 5 million.

What type of lawyers are in-demand in SA?

The top in-demand jobs in South Africa's legal sector include associates specialising in mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance and legal advisors. Up to 18% of legal professionals are expecting their 2020 salaries to increase by more than 11% in 2020, while 26% are expecting increases between 7% and 10%.

Does law have job opportunities?

Examples of legal jobs in the US include outside counsel in law firms, in-house counsel in a corporate legal department, prosecutors in the District Attorney, Attorney General or State Attorney's offices, plaintiff attorneys, defense attorneys, staff attorneys, litigators who advise clients in and out of court, trial ...

Is studying law hard in South Africa?

Studying law takes a lot of hard work and dedication. In South Africa, proficiency in the English language is extremely important as students are required to study a multitude of technical legal books and hundreds of cases in English.

How can I get job after LLB?

There are competitive exams such as UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), SPSC (State Public Service Commision), etc. These competitive exams are gateways to top jobs after LLB.
...
Some top jobs after LLB focusing in Human Rights are:
  1. Human Rights Lawyer.
  2. Family Lawyer.
  3. Immigration Lawyer.

Does an LLB make you a lawyer?

Becoming an Attorney is only one of many options that a law graduate has; many LLB graduates do become attorneys or advocates, but the list of options is vast - and growing! An LLB degree can be the first step to an academic career.

Is lawyer a good career?

High earning potential as lawyers are among the top-paid professionals in the country. Lawyers enjoy a lot of prestige and power ultimately leading to respect and success. They get the opportunity to help others and work towards equality in all respects while abiding by the law.

Is it tough to study law?

Nothing is tough , it all depends on how you see it. It differes from person to person. If you have deep interest in studying law and you can indulge yourself into law then it might be a cup of tea for you. You need to immerse yourself deep into the subject to understand it better.

How do you know you want to be a lawyer?

Here are the factors to think about before you decide to become a lawyer:
  • School commitment. A law degree requires two to three years of school for full-time students. ...
  • Cost of law school. ...
  • Competitive entrance requirements. ...
  • Testing. ...
  • Speaking and writing. ...
  • Formal work environment. ...
  • Long hour. ...
  • Logical reasoning.

Is law a high paying career?

Many top law firms are paying the highest salaries to their employees in India. The tier I law firms pay[2] 10-17 lakhs per annum for a fresh graduate and if a fresher can glorify him in the firm , the salary would range from around 80 lakhs to 1 Crore.

What is the easiest lawyer to become?

Estate Planning. Although being a legal clerk is the easiest career path, it is only suited for beginners. Estate planning wins the most stress-free legal practice area when practicing law for lawyers. Many lawyers avoid estate planning as it is a field of law associated with death.

What are the 7 types of laws?

CLASSIFICATIONS OF LAW
  • Public and Private Law.
  • Civil Law and Criminal Law.
  • Substantive and Procedural Law.
  • Municipal and International Law.
  • Written and Unwritten Law.
  • Common Law and Equity.

Which university is best for law in South Africa?

Top Law Universities in South Africa
  1. University of Pretoria. Law Program Link. Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Laws, Masters, and Doctor of Laws. ...
  2. University of Cape Town. Law Program Link. ...
  3. Stellenbosch University. Law Program Link. ...
  4. University of Venda. Law Program Link. ...
  5. Rhodes University. Law Program Link.

Are lawyers rich?

Most lawyers earn more of a solid middle-class income," says Devereux. You probably will be carrying a large amount of student loan debt from law school, which is not at all ideal when you're just starting out in your career. "Make sure you only become a lawyer if you actually want to work as a lawyer.

How many years do you study to become a lawyer in South Africa?

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