What is a bachelor of law degree in South Africa?

Asked by: Aletha Johns  |  Last update: October 25, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (3 votes)

LLB (Baccalaureus Legum)
The purposes of the LLB degree are to equip the student with a reflective understanding of the law so as to enable the student to apply the law in the competent and effective provision of legal services to the community.

How many years does it take to study BA law in South Africa?

The BA (Law) degree must be completed within a maximum of five years.

What level is an LLB in South Africa?

The LLB degree prepares students for entry into legal practice, into a wide range of other careers which require the application of law, and for post-graduate studies in law. relevant societal contexts. The exit level of the qualification is NQF level 8.

What does Bachelor mean in law?

Definitions of Bachelor of Laws. a three-year law degree. synonyms: LLB. type of: law degree. degree conferred on someone who successfully completes law school.

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.

Become a Lawyer | South Africa | Careers Explained

21 related questions found

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.

Is LLB difficult to study in South Africa?

Studying law takes a lot of hard work and dedication. In South Africa, proficiency in the English language is extremely important as students are required to study a multitude of technical legal books and hundreds of cases in English.

Is a bachelor of laws the same as a JD?

The American law degree, called a Juris Doctor (JD), is a three-year professional degree. Until the latter half of the 20th century, the degree was called a Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

What is the highest degree of law?

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

A Doctor of Juridical Science degree is considered the highest level of a law degree and is designed for professionals who are looking to gain an advanced legal education after earning their JD and LLM.

Which is the best law degree?

Doctor of Judicial Science

Considered as the highest level of a law degree, the Doctor of Judicial Science (SJD) is a two-year program aimed at lawyers who have earned the JD or LLM and wish to advance their legal education.

What is the highest qualification in law in South Africa?

To specialise in certain fields, LLB graduates may pursue an LLM (Master of Laws, which is a postgraduate degree) and later on, an LLD (Doctor of Laws).

Which law degree is in demand in South Africa?

Which law is in demand in South Africa? The areas of specialisation in demand include personal accident, corporate, divorce, real estate, intellectual property, criminal, litigation, and immigration law.

Is it hard to become a lawyer in South Africa?

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.

Is BA law in demand in South Africa?

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.

What degree should I study to become a lawyer in South Africa?

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) The LLB degree provides students with a sound knowledge of the general principles of the South African legal system, and an ability to use legal materials effectively. If you want to practice law, you need at least an LLB degree.

What is the lowest law degree?

Juris Doctor

This is the first law degree that a person becoming an attorney will earn. A Juris Doctor takes three full years to complete and is started after a person has earned a bachelor's degree from a college.

Which year of a law degree is the hardest?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.

What are the 4 main types of law?

When researching the law, it is important to remember the four main types of law: constitutional, statutory, administrative and case (common) law.

How long is LLB in USA?

As a law student, you can expect to spend at least three years in law school. Full-time students typically complete their studies within three years, while part-time students take up to five years.

What do you call someone with a law degree?

A Juris Doctor degree is technically a professional doctorate. But unlike other Ph. D. holders, lawyers don't hold the title of “Doctor.” Instead, they can choose to use the title “esquire,” which is shortened to “Esq.” and is fashioned after the lawyer's name.

What is the LLB degree in the US?

LLB Curriculum

The LLB degree usually requires four years of study and covers various legal topics, from civil and criminal law to constitutional law, research, and writing. It also examines ethical issues related to practicing law and teaches students how to apply legal principles in the real world.

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.

How much does it cost to study LLB in South Africa?

Costs of Law Schools in South Africa

The average cost of law schools in South Africa ranges between R32, 000 – R40, 000. This is all dependent on the law school a graduate chooses to attend. If you're looking for education funding for your law study, visit here to get the latest law bursaries and scholarship updates.

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.