Who pays lawyers in South Africa?
Asked by: Rosanna Kovacek | Last update: December 22, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (36 votes)
The person who engages the services of an attorney is ordinarily required to pay the legal fees, costs and disbursements on an ongoing basis. However, funding specialised litigation is not within the budget of most South Africans.
How do lawyers get paid in South Africa?
Highly specialized lawyers can command rates from R1,000 to over R3,000 per hour. Retainer fees are predetermined fees paid regularly for ongoing services, providing a stable monthly income that can vary based on the client's needs and the agreement's terms.
Who do lawyers get paid by?
Some fee arrangements work on contingency, where the attorney/firm will receive a percentage of the clients settlement or award. Others attorneys/firms might charge a flat rate or work on retainer. Some fee arrangements are governed by statute, like probate admin, where the fees come from the estate and not the client.
Who pays advocates in South Africa?
The distinction is further extended by the fact that the client never pays the advocate directly. The attorney will pay the advocate first from their own account and later the client pays the attorney for such fees.
Who pays lawyer fees when selling a house in South Africa?
Typically the purchaser pays the transfer fees charged by the conveyancing attorneys attending to the transfer of the property into the purchaser's name. Therefore, other than bond cancellation fees that the seller will pay if the seller has a bond that has to be cancelled, lawyer fees are paid by the buyer.
Attorney (Lawyer) Salary 2022 | South Africa
How much does an attorney cost in South Africa?
The hourly rates for practitioners (excluding VAT) are as follows: Senior Counsel: R3 000.00 – R4 400.00; Junior Counsel: R700. 00 – R1 700.00; Candidate Attorney: R1 000.00; Junior Attorney: R1 800.00; Senior Attorney: R2 800.00. 3.
Does the seller pay attorney fees?
Costs both parties might pay
Attorney fees: Real estate attorneys are often hired by either or both parties to review contracts and closing documents — in fact, in some states, the transaction cannot legally close without one.
What if you can't afford a lawyer in South Africa?
Legal Aid South Africa
Legal Aid South Africa's role is to provide legal aid to those who cannot afford their own legal representation. This includes poor people and vulnerable groups such as women, children and the rural poor. Legal Aid SA applies a 'means test' to see whether you qualify in terms of what you earn.
What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney 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).
Do candidate attorneys get paid in South Africa?
As of August 2024, Glassdoor reports that a candidate attorney earns a salary ranging from R324000 to R408,000 per year.
Where do lawyers get their money from?
It can vary based on the reputation of an attorney as well. Regardless, the compensation of client-specific attorneys is determined, directly or indirectly, in one of four ways: flat fee, hourly, on a contingency fee basis, or on retainer. Flat fee payment arrangements: This is a task-based method of payment.
Can you get a retainer fee back if nothing was done?
Any unearned retainer fees that are not used can be returned to the client. Earned retainer fees are the portion of the retainer that the lawyer is entitled to after work begins. Earned retainer fees may be granted to the lawyer bit by bit, depending on the number of hours worked.
Do you pay a lawyer before or after court?
If your case goes to trial, your lawyer may ask a for a second advance fee deposit to cover the legal fees for the trial. That second fee will be due before trial and may be at least $5,000.
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.
What is the salary of a judge in South Africa?
Remuneration of judges
In the case of Constitutional Court or Supreme Court of Appeal judges, the monthly salary amounts to R188,367 (equivalent to R2. 26 million annually), while High and Labour Court judges receive a monthly salary of R153,047 (equivalent to R1. 83 million annually).
What is the highest paying job in South Africa?
- Neurosurgeon – R3 million to R5 million.
- Cardiothoracic surgeon – R2. ...
- Ship captain (Deep sea/Specialised cargo) – R2 million to R3. ...
- Actuary (with experience) – R1. ...
- Mining engineer (deep level) – R1. ...
- Legal partner (corporate law) – R1.
Who controls lawyers in South Africa?
The Legal Practice Council is the controlling body for the legal profession in South Africa.
How much does it cost to have a lawyer in South Africa?
Understanding lawyer costs in South Africa
Junior counsel: Newer attorneys, or those with less experience, usually charge between R900 and R1,200 per hour. Mid-level attorneys: More experienced lawyers may charge between R1,200 and R4,000 per hour.
What do they call lawyers in South Africa?
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.
Is there a shortage of lawyers in South Africa?
Current Demand for Lawyers in South Africa
The demand for lawyers in South Africa is reflected in various statistics. As of January 2022, there were approximately 29,981 practising attorneys and 5,483 candidate attorneys in South Africa. However, this demand can be shaped by societal and economic factors.
How do pro bono lawyers get paid?
Usually, pro bono attorneys do not get paid. But there is the possibility that a pro bono attorney may receive some amount of compensation — or at least not lose money for taking the case. Lawyers who take pro bono cases may also receive waivers of court costs and other filing fees.
Is legal aid free in South Africa?
Legal Aid South Africa provides professional legal advice and representation at no cost to those who can't afford it. Voorblad - 93.4fm - Radio Namakwaland - Die beste in die weste.
How are attorney fees paid?
With a retainer agreement, the attorney deducts all expenses, including these additional fees, from the retainer. With a contingency agreement, the attorney may pay the fees and costs and then include them with the attorney fees at the end of the trial, or they may bill the client as the costs occur.
Who do you pay closing costs to?
Closing costs are processing fees you pay to your lender when you close on your loan. Closing costs on a mortgage loan usually equal 3% – 6% of your loan balance. Appraisal fees, your attorney's fees and inspection fees are examples of common closing costs.
Who pays the fee on a sale of a business?
Common costs and expenses for a seller:
Closing Agent/Attorney's Fee is normally split 50/50 with the buyer, but is negotiable… typically it can be $1,000-$2,000 per side, but this highly depends on the closing attorney or escrow company (depending on your state) and what they charge.