What are the different types of lawyers in South Africa?

Asked by: Vivienne Smitham  |  Last update: September 24, 2023
Score: 5/5 (22 votes)

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.

How many types of lawyers do we have in South Africa?

There are multiple types of lawyers in South Africa. They include divorce, personal accident, corporate, criminal, real estate, intellectual property, immigration, and litigation law.

Which type of lawyer earns the most in South Africa?

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. A general counsel in the finance industry earns a minimum salary of R2. 3 million per year.

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

Do lawyers get paid well in South Africa?

The legal profession in South Africa offers one of the highest-paying and most lucrative careers in the country, with many legacy and emerging fields requiring highly skilled individuals to make sure affairs are in order.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAWYERS AND PRACTICE AREAS OF LAW

35 related questions found

Is it hard to be a lawyer in South Africa?

Celebration. The process of becoming an attorney in South Africa takes at least 6 years. 4 Years of studying and 2 years of articles and writing the admission exams. That is a long time of working hard with late nights and early mornings.

Is it hard to become a lawyer in South Africa?

It takes at least seven years to become an attorney and an additional year to become an advocate. Only some foreign-trained lawyers are able to avoid repeating their LLBs at a South African law school – as usually a South African qualification is necessary.

What are the two kinds 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 is a lawyer salary in South Africa?

The average lawyer salary in South Africa is R 720 000 per year or R 369 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 240 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 6 780 000 per year.

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 becoming a lawyer in South Africa worth it?

A career in law can be immensely rewarding and offer job satisfaction. This is especially so when you are able to provide the client with a solution in an expeditious and cost effective manner. However it also has its drawbacks, the biggest of which must be the high levels of stress which lawyers work under.

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.

Can an American lawyer practice in South Africa?

Do you need to hold local nationality to be eligible to practise law? A candidate must be a South African citizen, or permanent resident in the Republic. There are pathways open to foreign practitioners who have already fully qualified in their home country.

Can a foreigner work as a lawyer 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. For further information, please contact the Legal Practice Council.

What is the daily routine of a lawyer in South Africa?

Daily job duties of a lawyer

Advise clients. Assist individuals and businesses as a guardian, executor or advisor. Make court appearances to represent clients or gather important case information. Review legal data, laws and evidence.

Who pays lawyers in South Africa?

Typically the purchaser pays the transfer fees charged by the conveyancing attorneys attending to the transfer of the property into the purchaser's name.

What is the dress code for a lawyer in South Africa?

The rules of the South African courts prescribe a dress code for legal practitioners who appear before the court. 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.

Do lawyers earn more than doctors in South Africa?

The average salary of a qualified lawyer in South Africa is R 45,000 per month while that of doctors is R 50,000 per month. As you can notice, doctors earn better than lawyers at all levels. If you are into self-employment, as a lawyer you will start a law firm and as a doctor you will operate a clinic.

What makes a good lawyer South Africa?

What makes a great lawyer?
  • Good Communication Skills.
  • Judgment.
  • Analytical Skills.
  • Research Skills.
  • Perseverance.
  • Creativity.
  • Logical Thinking Ability.
  • Public Speaking Skills.

How long does it take to study law in South Africa?

A law degree (LL. B.) in South Africa takes 3–4 years to complete. During your Bachelor of law program, you will devote a significant amount of time to studying law texts and criminal codes, as well as memorizing stipulations and exceptions.

Who controls lawyers 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.

Is there a bar exam in South Africa?

The board exam consists of four examinations that you need to pass as a requirement for becoming a registered attorney in South Africa. This exam is now called the 'competency-based examination for admission as an attorney'.

What level of schooling is required for a lawyer 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.

Which university produces best lawyers in South Africa?

QS World Rankings ranks UCT as the top university to study law in South Africa. The university is recognized for producing law graduates that are highly sought after both locally and internationally.