What do advocates wear to court in South Africa?

Asked by: Kenyon Mayert V  |  Last update: July 31, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (30 votes)

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.

What does an advocate do in South Africa?

Advocates also give legal opinions and help with the drafting of legal documents that are required in every walk of life, be they commercial, industrial or domestic. 5.2 How do I become an advocate? The basic requirement is an LLB degree from any South African university.

What is the normal attire for attorneys in the courtroom?

Lawyers are expected to dress up for court – proper attire for court includes jackets & ties, leather shoes, etc, and women additionally have the option of wearing skirts/blouses. However, the dress code for parties and witnesses is virtually non-existent. No hats, and must have a shirt & shoes – that's about it.

What are the different types of advocates in South Africa?

Types of Advocates:
  • Referral Advocate (section 34 (2) (i))
  • Fidelity Fund/Trust Account Advocate (section 34 (2) (a) (ii))
  • Attorney (section 34 (i))

What should a female wear to court?

Women should wear slacks and a dress shirt or a skirt and a dress shirt. Don't be too revealing, sexy, or inappropriately dressed. Do not wear exercise outfits, tight tops, short skirts, or sundresses. Avoid crop tops or any top with spaghetti straps.

My first Court Appearance |Tips for Candidate Attorneys-Do not wear Pink| Not Legally Blonde.

24 related questions found

What is the best color for a woman to wear to court?

The best color to wear to court is probably navy blue or dark gray. These colors suggest seriousness. At the same time, they do not come with the negative connotations that are often associated with the color black (for instance, some people associate black with evil, coldness, and darkness).

How do you impress a judge in court?

You may be nervous when you get into the courtroom, but these six tips will help ease any anxiety about how it's going to go.
  1. Know the judge. ...
  2. Be organized with your paperwork. ...
  3. Dress Appropriately. ...
  4. Stay calm in front of the jury. ...
  5. Keep eye contact with the jury. ...
  6. Don't be late to court.

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.

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 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 woman wear jeans to court?

If there is absolutely no way to avoid this, and you are coming to court directly from work, then it is permissible to come to court dressed as you would for work (including, but not limited to: jeans, scrubs, and the like). This is probably the only situation in which wearing jeans to court is acceptable.

What hairstyles are good for court appearance?

A simple, combed style is appropriate for men and women. If you have long hair, you can tie it back or put it up.

What is the best dress code for court?

General Rule of Thumb: Dress Conservatively

For example, a suit, tie, and jacket would likely be considered conservative for a court date. On the flip side: a T-shirt, tank top, and flip-flops would not.

Who pays advocates in South Africa?

The attorney will pay the advocate first from their own account and later the client pays the attorney for such fees. There may be additional legal expenses incurred as a result of such a distinction between attorneys and advocates.

How many years does it take to be 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

What are lawyers called in South Africa?

There is not difference between a lawyer and an attorney, other than semantics. 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 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.

What not to tell a judge?

Do Not Exaggerate, Mislead, or State Anything Untrue. It goes without saying that you should never lie to a judge (that is perjury), but you should also avoid exaggerating the facts or misleading the court about any issue. Most judges can sense when a witness is stretching the truth, and they do not appreciate it.

Do judges care how you dress?

You're not going out on the town with your girlfriends, so leave the more fashionable outfits in your closet. Don't wear anything too tight, too short, or too revealing. While you might think wearing more suggestive clothing might help things, it will in most cases give the judge and jury the wrong impression.

What not to say in front of a judge?

Never make a definitive statement

Always say "that is all I remember" instead of "That is everything, nothing else," as it leaves room for correction. You can get yourself in trouble this way and make it seem like you were hiding something in your original statement.