Is law a good career in South Africa?

Asked by: Miss Eleanore Barton IV  |  Last update: August 13, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (62 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 studying law in South Africa worth it?

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 law career pays the most in South Africa?

Intellectual property lawyers

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.

Is law in high demand in South Africa?

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%.

The Dutch East India Company and Its Legacy on South Africa.

40 related questions found

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.

Is it easy to find a job as a lawyer in South Africa?

The legal industry in South Africa is exceptionally competitive and there are many different career paths to choose from. Our legal experts at Robert Walters have highlighted the basic career options available.

Is law a good career choice?

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 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.

How much do LLB lawyers earn in South Africa per month?

A person working as an Attorney in South Africa typically earns around 61,000 ZAR per month. Salaries range from 28,100 ZAR (lowest) to 97,000 ZAR (highest). This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits.

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.

Which law is best to study?

Here are 16 fruitful, promising areas of law for you to consider.
  1. Complex Litigation. This is an area of law that demands a lot of patience and incredible attention to detail. ...
  2. Corporate Law. ...
  3. Tax Law. ...
  4. Intellectual Property. ...
  5. Blockchain. ...
  6. Healthcare. ...
  7. Environmental. ...
  8. Criminal.

Does LLB have job opportunities?

An LLB is an excellent stepping-stone to commerce, for example, and many businessmen and women complete an LLB as well as a BComm to qualify themselves to work in big business. Some engineers and economists are qualified lawyers, as are several BSc graduates.

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.

What field of law is most in demand?

Most in-demand practice areas
  • Commercial law.
  • Litigation.
  • Real estate law.
  • Intellectual property.
  • Family law.

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.

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.

Why should I not become a lawyer?

Deadlines, billing pressures, client demands, long hours, changing laws, and other demands all combine to make the practice of law one of the most stressful jobs out there. Throw in rising business pressures, evolving legal technologies, and climbing law school debt and it's no wonder lawyers are stressed.

Is law a difficult career?

The job of a lawyer is very demanding and requires extreme concentration as you have to work on several cases simultaneously. Working hours are too long and you cannot afford to become lethargic as it is a highly competitive field. Remember, it is a lengthy process and it is hard to stick to it.

What is the future of law careers?

A law student can choose to practice law as an advocate which is the most traditional and conventional path to building a career in this field. One can work for a law firm and work for multiple companies and clients. One can become a corporate counselor or a cyber-lawyer.

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.

Why is law a good career?

1) It offers diverse career options

With a multitude of positions and an ever-expanding range of practice areas, law offers you the opportunity to specialise in what you find personally interesting. Family, environmental and criminal law are just a handful of the routes you can go down.

Are law graduates in demand?

There has been an increase in the number of students opting for this field as the job demands have increased. From small businesses to large firms to NGOs, everyone is hiring talented lawyers. The government has streamlined Law education by starting CLAT in 2008.