What do they call lawyers in South Africa?

Asked by: Xavier Greenfelder  |  Last update: January 29, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (54 votes)

In the multifaceted arena of South African law, two prominent figures emerge: advocates and attorneys. While both are integral to the legal system, their roles are distinct, each serving unique functions tailored to the complexities of legal proceedings.

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 are Nigerian lawyers called?

Nigerian lawyers are associated with different names or appellations and they practise their legal profession in different categories and institutions, which include the following: Barristers. Solicitors. Attorneys. Advocates.

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

In South Africa, attorneys handle general legal tasks like client consultation and document preparation, while advocates specialise in courtroom advocacy and are usually hired by attorneys to represent clients in higher courts.

What type of lawyers do you get in South Africa?

Types Of Lawyers In South Africa
  • Criminal Lawyers. Criminal lawyers defend people or organisations accused of committing crimes. ...
  • Civil Litigation Lawyers. ...
  • Family Lawyers. ...
  • Corporate Lawyers. ...
  • Labour Lawyers. ...
  • Property Lawyers. ...
  • Intellectual Property Lawyers. ...
  • Environmental Lawyers.

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30 related questions found

Is advocate a title in South Africa?

Apart from attorneys, there is also another 'branch' of legal practitioners in South Africa, namely advocates.

What is the slang term for lawyers?

Mouthpiece is a slang term for a lawyer, especially a criminal defense lawyer. The term stems from the view of lawyers as being the spokesperson for their client.

What is a nickname for a lawyer?

Another outdated slang term is “ mouthpiece”. “Ambulance chaser”. “Legal eagle”. Probably many others, those are the ones that come to mind.

What is another title for lawyer?

noun
  • attorney.
  • counsellor.
  • advocate.
  • counselor.
  • solicitor.
  • counsel.
  • prosecutor.
  • jurist.

What are lawyers called in Ghana?

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) is a professional association of lawyers in Ghana, including what used to be called solicitors and barristers but they are now called legal practitioners, as well as magistrates.By convention, all lawyers admitted to practice in Ghana become automatic members of the association.

What are Indian lawyers called?

Generally, a lawyer practicing before judicial tribunals and courts in India is called an “Advocate”.

What is the highest rank in a lawyer?

The highest level in a law firm is typically the senior partner, who has significant control over the firm's operations, strategic direction, and client management.

What is the title of a lawyer in Nigeria?

In this regard, a lawyer in Lagos, Abuja or any other state in Nigeria, usually takes on the title of “Barrister, Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria”. The terms Attorney, Barrister, Solicitor, Legal Practitioner, Counsel, and Advocate are sometimes used interchangeably in Nigeria.

What is a law degree called in South Africa?

legal field: BA(Law), BCom(Law) and the LLB. You have to have at least an LLB degree – which will take four years – to become an attorney or advocate in South Africa. If you choose the BA(Law) LLB or BCom(Law) LLB, you can obtain two degrees in five years.

What do lawyers call the judge in South Africa?

In the high courts, male judges are addressed as "My Lord", and female judges are addressed as "My Lady". This practice becomes second nature to those of us within the Legal Profession and has a deep rooted history in our complex non-codified legal system.

What do lawyers prefer to be called?

Some attorneys prefer to go by "counselor-at-law" because they want to highlight that they can provide guidance, not just recite facts and laws. Sometimes, it just sounds better to use one word over another, for example in the sentence "I am a family law attorney" as opposed to "family law lawyer".

What is shyster slang for?

Shyster (/ˈʃaɪstər/; also spelled schiester, scheister, etc.) is a slang word for someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law, sometimes also politics or economics.

What do you call a British lawyer?

barrister, one of the two types of practicing lawyers in England and Wales, the other being the solicitor. In general, barristers engage in advocacy (trial work) and solicitors in office work, but there is a considerable overlap in their functions.

What is British slang for attorney?

BARRISTER - 33 Synonyms and Antonyms - Cambridge English.

What are the jargons of the lawyer?

Here's a list of some general words and phrases that you may hear while in court or just simply talking with your lawyer:
  • Tort: A wrongful act that does not always require a lawsuit. ...
  • Grounds: ...
  • Cause of Action: ...
  • Litigation: ...
  • Statute of Limitations: ...
  • Plaintiff: ...
  • Defendant: ...
  • Damages:

What is the proper term for a lawyer?

In many cases, lawyers will use the term “attorney” on their resumes and in their practice to indicate that they are licensed to practice law and can represent clients in court.

What is a lawyer in South Africa?

A lawyer in South Africa is any person with an LLB degree working in the legal profession. Attorneys are legal professionals who have an LLB degree, have completed their 2 years of articles, have passed their professional exams, and have been admitted as attorneys by the High Court of South Africa.

What is senior counsel in South Africa?

Senior counsel carries the post-nominals of 'SC' and are also referred to as 'Silks' on account of the fabric of their very expensive gowns. Silks are appointed by the President of the Republic of South Africa after recommendations made by the silk committees of the various Bars. Field of interest. Administrative Law.

What title do you call a lawyer?

In California, “attorneys” are those licensed to practice law by the State Bar of California.