What are the different types of legal costs in South Africa?

Asked by: Beth Franecki  |  Last update: August 5, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (53 votes)

Legal costs can be roughly divided into three types.
  • Party and party costs. Party and party costs are legal costs that a court may order the defendant to pay to the plaintiff in a court case. ...
  • Attorney and client costs. ...
  • Attorney and “own” client costs.

What are the different types of cost orders in South Africa?

In South Africa, there are two main types of cost orders: party-and-party costs and attorney-and-client costs.

What are the two types of legal subjects in South Africa?

2 In South African law there are two categories of legal subjects: (i) natural persons and (ii) juristic persons.

Which type of law pays the most in South Africa?

The highest paying fields of law in South Africa typically include corporate law, intellectual property law, and mergers and acquisitions. These areas often involve complex legal issues and high-value transactions, contributing to higher salaries.

What are the different types of laws in South Africa?

There are different types of laws namely, contract law, property law, trust law, criminal law, constitutional law and administrative law. Constitutional law provides a framework for the creation of law, the protection of human rights and the election of political representatives.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEGAL FEES IN SOUTH AFRICA

25 related questions found

What is the legal system in South Africa?

South Africa has a mixed legal system: a hybrid of Roman Dutch civilian law, English common law, customary law and religious personal law.

What are the 4 types of legal systems?

Legal systems do fall into groups or patterns with some similar features within each group. Among the main groups that you might encounter are: 1) common law; 2) civil law; 3) religious law; and 4) customary law. Many countries employ more than one of these systems at the same time to create a hybrid system.

How much do lawyers charge per hour in South Africa?

On average, lawyers charge anywhere from R1,000 to R3,000 per hour. While rates in South Africa may seem high, they are often more affordable than in other parts of the world like the United States or Europe, where top lawyers may charge more than R10,000 per hour.

What is a lawyer called in South Africa?

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).

What is the most important law in South Africa?

The Constitution is the supreme law

South Africa is a constitutional democracy. This means the Constitution is the highest law of the land. Parliament cannot pass a law which goes against the Constitution.

What is the difference between public and private law in South Africa?

1. Public Law governs the relation between the state and its subjects, and comprises administrative law, constitutional law, criminal law, labour law and the law of taxation. 2. Private Law concerns the subjects of the state and their relationship with each other.

Is law hard 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.

What are the 7 types of cost?

Here are the main types of costs:
  • Fixed Costs. Definition: Costs that do not change with the level of output or sales. ...
  • Variable Costs. Definition: Costs that vary directly with the level of production or sales. ...
  • Total Costs. ...
  • Marginal Costs. ...
  • Average Costs. ...
  • Direct Costs. ...
  • Indirect Costs. ...
  • Opportunity Costs.

Can I recover legal costs?

Recoverable costs typically include solicitor's fees, court fees, expert witness fees, and certain other disbursements directly related to the litigation process. These costs must usually be reasonable and proportionate.

What is a decent salary in South Africa?

What is a good salary in South Africa? A good salary in South Africa depends on a number of factors, including your experience, education, industry, location and lifestyle. However, according to data from Numbeo, a salary of R30,000 or more per month is considered to be good.

What is the highest paying job in the world per hour?

1. Anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologists specialise in anaesthesia and perioperative medicine. Their expertise makes this the highest-paying job in the world per hour.

What is the top 1 salary in South Africa?

What is the top 1 salary in South Africa? The top 1% of earners in South Africa typically have salaries exceeding R1. 5 million annually, often found in executive roles, specialized medical fields, and top-tier legal positions​.

What type of lawyer is most in demand in South Africa?

What types of lawyers are in high demand in South Africa? High demand exists for lawyers in corporate, criminal, human rights, environmental, and intellectual property law. Moreover, lawyers specialised in family, employment, and property law are also in high demand due to their relevance to everyday issues.

Are you allowed a lawyer if you can t afford one in south africa?

Legal Aid South Africa's role is to provide legal aid to those who cannot afford their own legal representation. This includes poor people and vulnerable groups such as women, children and the rural poor. Legal Aid SA applies a 'means test' to see whether you qualify in terms of what you earn.

Which country has the best legal system in the world?

Denmark. Denmark is renowned for having one of the best and most effective legal systems in the world, considering its remarkably transparent and stable government.

Is South Africa a common law country?

South African common law is mainly the 17th and 18th century Roman-Dutch law that was transplanted to the Cape. This forms the basis of modern South African law and has binding authority. Examples of common law crimes include murder, robbery and rape, etc.

What are the 4 main legal structures?

The most common forms of business are the sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and S corporation.