Attorneys in South Africa

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In South Africa, there are two main branches of legal practitioners: lawyers, who do all kinds of legal work, and advocates, who are special litigator experts. Lawyers can form professional companies and practices in partnerships, ranging from size to the law firm "Big Five". This profession is governed by the Attorneys Act, 1979 (Act No. 53 of 1979) . See: Advocate in South Africa. There are currently about 21400 lawyers and 5000 potential lawyers in South Africa, each represented by LSSA (Law Society of South Africa)

Video Attorneys in South Africa

Training

To be accepted as a lawyer, the required academic qualifications are LLB from a South African university; see Bachelor of Laws: South Africa; Legal education in South Africa. (Historically, a B.Proc degree is also offered.) One then serves the "article" as a candidate lawyer with a practicing lawyer for a specified period in accordance with candidate qualifications (generally two years if an appropriate degree of law has been obtained); the length of the article can be reduced by following a practical legal training course or doing community service. Candidates should also write "board exams" set by the relevant Provincial Legal Agencies. Examination consists of the following:

• Paper 1: Practices and procedures (criminal procedure, supreme court procedures, judicial court procedures and motor vehicle accident claims);
• Paper 2: Testament and Plantation;
• Paper 3: Lawyers' practices, contracts, and rules of conduct;
• Paper 4: Legitimate Bookkeeping.

Lawyers may also be qualified as Notaries and Conveyancers, through the Taking and Notarizing Practices Exam; those with technical or scientific training can further qualify as a patent lawyer - see Patent Lawyer: South Africa.

Although not formally required for practice, advanced training, eg. in taxes, usually through a special postgraduate diploma or LL.M. program. See Master of Laws: South Africa.

Maps Attorneys in South Africa

LSSA

The LSSA (Law Society of South Africa) consists of regulatory and disciplinary bodies to practice lawyers in South Africa. Lawyers are required to enroll in a relatively provincial legal community where they practice in the Law on Lawyers, 1979.

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Attorneys and Advocates

Lawyers are directly involved with clients, acting as "managers" of legal cases. Although both lawyers and advocates can appear in the South African High Court, they will be 'brief' as advocates when specialist litigation is required.

The split between lawyers and advocates in South Africa reflects a divide between lawyers and lawyers in other Commonwealth countries, with lawyers having a similar role to lawyers and supporters who have a role which is broadly equivalent to lawyers.

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References

Source of the article : Wikipedia