What are the different types of advocates in South Africa?

Asked by: Mohamed Hegmann  |  Last update: August 29, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (15 votes)

Section 34 of the Legal Practice Act defines three types of legal practitioners: Referral Advocate (section 34 (2) (i)) Fidelity Fund/Trust Account Advocate (section 34 (2) (a) (ii))

How many advocates are there in South Africa?

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.

What is advocate in South Africa?

What is an advocate in South Africa? Advocates are experts in presenting and arguing cases in court. Advocates are generally self-employed and are usually members of the Bar Council of their area.

How many bars of advocates are there in South Africa?

The 'Bar' is the name traditionally used for Societies of Advocates. There are 14 Bars affiliated to the General Council of the Bar of South Africa. Each Bar is an independent association governed by an elected Bar Council.

What are the different types of lawyers in South Africa?

We will explore some of these types of lawyers here, and what they do.
  • Divorce lawyer. When terminating a marriage there are many legal aspects that need to be addressed. ...
  • Family lawyer. ...
  • Immigration lawyer. ...
  • Criminal lawyer. ...
  • Accident and personal injury lawyer. ...
  • Business and corporate lawyer. ...
  • Bankruptcy lawyer. ...
  • Labour law lawyer.

What's the Difference Between Attorneys and Advocates??

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What is the difference between a lawyer and an advocate in South Africa?

Unlike an attorney, an advocate does not deal directly with the client – the attorney refers the client to an advocate when the situation requires it. While attorneys can only represent clients in the lower courts in South Africa, advocates can appear on behalf of clients in the higher courts as well.

How much does an advocate earn in South Africa?

How much does a Lawyer make in South Africa? The average lawyer salary in South Africa is R 720 006 per year or R 369 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 231 450 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 6 780 000 per year.

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.

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?

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.

How do I verify an advocate in South Africa?

Contact the Legal Practice Council to find a legal practitioner, to confirm that the legal practitioner is on the practising roll, or to confirm that the legal practitioner is in good standing with the Legal Practice Council.

Who regulates advocates in South Africa?

In terms of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014, legal practitioners (attorneys and advocates) fall under the regulatory and disciplinary jurisdiction of the Legal Practice Council.

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.

Are there different types of advocates?

An advocate is a person who argues for, recommends, or supports a cause or policy. Advocacy is also about helping people find their voice. There are three types of advocacy - self-advocacy, individual advocacy and systems advocacy.

What is the dress code for advocates in South Africa?

Black Robes are worn by both advocates and attorneys in the High Court. In the Magistrates' Court, only attorneys are required to wear the robes when appearing.

What are the duties of an advocate?

The role of an advocate is to offer independent support to those who feel they are not being heard and to ensure they are taken seriously and that their rights are respected. It is also to assist people to access and understand appropriate information and services.

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.

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.

How much do senior advocates earn in South Africa?

The average senior legal counsel salary in South Africa is R 2 400 000 per year or R 1 231 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 1 087 500 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 8 700 000 per year.

What qualifications do I need to be an advocate in South Africa?

The basic requirement is an LLB degree from any South African university. Having achieved this, the next step is to apply to the High Court to be included on the 'roll' of advocates. To do this, an applicant must satisfy the court that he/she is both qualified and able to be a member of the profession.

Where do advocates work in South Africa?

In the public sector, State Advocates are employed as public prosecutors by the National Prosecuting Authority and some advocates are also employed as advisors in various organs of state or state departments.

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.

How much does a divorce lawyer earn in South Africa per month?

An early career Divorce Lawyer with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of R131,000 based on 10 salaries. A mid-career Divorce Lawyer with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R425,000 based on 5 salaries.

What is the minimum salary for a candidate attorney in South Africa?

How much does a Candidate attorney make in South Africa? The average candidate attorney salary in South Africa is R 132 000 per year or R 67.69 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 96 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 372 000 per year.

What is the average salary for a candidate attorney in SA?

The estimated total pay for a Candidate Attorney is ZAR 23,928 per month in the South Africa area, with an average salary of ZAR 11,928 per month. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.