Which law degree is the best in South Africa?

Asked by: Elaina Dickens  |  Last update: May 24, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (10 votes)

LLD Law. The University of Pretoria Faculty of Law is the highest ranked law faculty in Africa and in South Africa - according to the 2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

What is the best law degree to study in South Africa?

Doctor of Laws (LLD)

This degree is ideal for candidates pursuing academic careers or high-level legal research and contributes to the development of legal knowledge and scholarly work.

Which field of law 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.

Which type of lawyer gets paid the most in South Africa?

Which lawyers earn the most in South Africa? The highest-paid lawyers often work in medical, intellectual property, business, and environmental law. Their salaries can vary based on their experience and the type of law they practice.

Which law is the greatest 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.

45+ Career / Jobs for LLB Law Graduates in South Africa

26 related questions found

Are lawyers in South Africa rich?

Senior lawyers, including partners, earn higher salaries ranging from R1,400,000 to R3,500,000 per year, depending on their experience and firm size.

Which law is most demanding?

Which law specialization is the most demanding in India? Corporate Law is currently one of the most demanding specializations in India due to the rise of businesses, startups, and mergers and acquisitions. It offers lucrative job opportunities and career growth.

How many years to study law 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.

Which law degree pays the most?

Highest-Paid Types of Lawyers
  • Patent attorney: $180,000.
  • Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
  • Trial lawyer: $134,000.
  • Tax attorney: $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Medical lawyer: $113,000.
  • Real estate lawyer: $98,000.
  • Family lawyer: $93,000.

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).

Is studying law in South Africa worth it?

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.

Is there a shortage of lawyers in South Africa?

The paper concludes that there are not enough lawyers in the country at present to provide access to justice in the narrow sense, and suggests how this shortage can be overcome by using mechanisms that provide alternatives to lawyers.

Which degree is in demand in South Africa?

The top careers in South Africa for 2024 include Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity, Healthcare and Medical Services, Renewable Energy and Environmental Sciences, Finance and Financial Technology (FinTech), Education and E-Learning, Engineering and Construction, Marketing and Digital Marketing, and Logistics ...

Which law is in demand in South Africa?

Which areas of law are currently most in demand in South Africa? Corporate law, environmental law, and human rights law are among the most in-demand areas. The country's focus on compliance and regulation also drives demand in fields such as labor law and tax law.

Which country is best to study law in Africa?

#1 in Africa: University of Cape Town, South Africa

The University of Cape Town Faculty of Law is a leader in African legal education.

What lawyer makes the most?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.

What is the hardest law degree to get?

The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%. Followed by: Stanford Law School: 7% acceptance rate. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School: 3.8% acceptance rate.

Which type of lawyer is the richest?

The highest-paid lawyers typically specialize in fields such as corporate law, intellectual property, tax law, medical malpractice, and entertainment law. These areas command higher salaries due to the complexity, demand, and financial stakes involved.

Which field 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.

Which university in SA is best for law?

Best Law Universities In South Africa
  • University of Cape Town (UCT) ...
  • University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) ...
  • Regenesys Law School. ...
  • University of Johannesburg (UJ) ...
  • University of Pretoria (UP) ...
  • Stellenbosch University. ...
  • North-West University (NWU) ...
  • University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

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.

Which law is broken the most?

Laws Americans are known to break most often
  1. Underage drinking. ...
  2. Smoking marijuana. ...
  3. Crossing the wrong way. ...
  4. Stealing tunes. ...
  5. Trashing the place.

What type of law is least stressful?

Thus, for those seeking a rewarding and manageable legal practice, estate planning stands out as an accessible and fulfilling option.
  1. Real estate law: the calm of contracts and closings. ...
  2. Estate planning: beyond grave matters. ...
  3. Transactional IP law: where creativity meets law. ...
  4. Tax law: counting dollars, not hours.

What is the hardest law class?

Some of the hardest classes in law school, according to current and former students, are:
  • Constitutional Law.
  • Civil Procedure.
  • Contracts.
  • Federal Courts.
  • Federal Income Tax.
  • Administrative Law.
  • Partnership Tax.