What are the most in demand fields of law in South Africa?

Asked by: Angeline Smith  |  Last update: December 6, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (9 votes)

Bachelor of law careers
But if it's evergreen demand you want for your skills, given human nature and the rights enshrined in our constitution, the biggest demand for law in South Africa remains in the fields of family, employment, property and career law.

Which law career pays the most in South Africa?

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.

Is a law degree worth it 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.

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.

What can you do with an LLB degree in South Africa?

Possible work environments related to law
  • Courts (eg Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, High Court, Labour Courts, Divorce Courts, Land Claims Court, Maintenance Courts, International Criminal Court (ICC)
  • Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
  • Government institutions.
  • Legal firms.

Top 10 In-demand Jobs in South Africa 2023

40 related questions found

How much does an LLB lawyer earn in SA?

The average llb law salary in South Africa is R 960 000 per year or R 492 per hour.

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.

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.

Which University is number 1 in South Africa for law?

The University of Cape Town is one of the top-listed and most sought out law schools in Africa. UCT accommodates around 1000 students each year. Students who apply for this program will need to have an APS score of at least 36 points. You can also learn more about how to calculate APS score in this article.

Is it better to be an advocate or attorney 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.

What law degree do you need in South Africa?

Entry Requirement
  • A National Senior Certificate with degree admission.
  • English Home Language level 5 or English First Additional Language level 6.
  • Mathematical Literacy level 5 or Mathematics level 3.
  • Life Orientation level 4.
  • Minimum composite Academic Point Score (APS) 32 not including Life Orientation.

What is the most sought after degree in South Africa?

Jobs & Careers in demand in South Africa
  1. Software Engineer. These professionals are responsible for designing and implementing software solutions. ...
  2. Network Administrator. ...
  3. Data Scientist. ...
  4. Health and Safety Manager. ...
  5. Accountants. ...
  6. Agricultural Engineer. ...
  7. Lawyer. ...
  8. Business Consultant.

What sector of law makes the most money?

Commercial and corporate lawyers earn the most out of all the different types of solicitors as they work closely with banks and other financial institutions and are involved in high-value transactions.

Which field of law pays least?

Some lawyers earn more than others, depending on their experience and practice area. Still, many law firms offer many opportunities for their associates to move up the ladder and earn a higher salary. The lowest-paid legal jobs are typically those in the public sector, such as district attorneys or public defenders.

Can a foreigner become 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.

Can foreigners study law in South Africa?

This is in accordance to the Legal Practice Act - which only allows South Africans and permanent citizens to be admitted as lawyers. It is despite non-citizens being allowed to study law at South African universities.

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.

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'.

How long is law course in South Africa?

The four-year programme comprises mostly law subjects with several Humanity or Commerce subjects at first year level. You must take certain core law subjects if you wish to graduate with an LLB. Other subjects form a set of electives you can choose from.

What type of lawyers do you get 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.

Which lawyers are 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.

How much do legal advisors make in South Africa?

The estimated total pay for a Legal Advisor is ZAR 73,377 per month in the South Africa area, with an average salary of ZAR 29,161 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.

Which subject is best for lawyer?

Having an undergraduate degree is a minimum requirement for admission into law school. Although most lawyers have degrees in subjects like English, economics, political science, philosophy, journalism, mathematics and business, there is no official recommendation regarding any preferred major for law students.