How to become an Attorney in South Africa?

Becoming an attorney in South Africa requires commitment, education, and practical experience. Attorneys play a key role in providing legal advice, drafting documents, and representing clients in court. 

To qualify, you must earn a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognised university, pass four board exams, complete two years of practical training under a qualified lawyer, and undergo Practical Vocational Training (PVT). 

You must also pass the Legal Practice Council’s competency-based exam before being admitted as an attorney under the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014.

This article outlines the key steps on how to become an attorney in South Africa, from your studies to final admission.

Understanding the Steps to Becoming an Attorney in South Africa

Becoming an attorney in South Africa requires both academic preparation and practical experience. It’s a step-by-step process that combines theoretical legal knowledge with real-world application. Each stage builds the foundation for your law career— from your first qualification to your final admission as an attorney.

Step-by-step process to become an Attorney in South Africa: 

• Complete Matric (NQF Level 4) – Start by completing your matric with an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification to qualify for university entry.
•  Enrol in an LLB Degree at a Recognised Institution – Pursue a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, which provides the core legal education needed to practise as an attorney.
• Complete Articles of Clerkship – After earning your LLB, work as a candidate attorney under a qualified attorney for two years to gain hands-on legal experience.
• Pass the Board Examinations – These exams, overseen by the Legal Practice Council (LPC), test your practical and ethical understanding of law before practising.
• Apply for Admission to the High Court – Once you’ve met all academic, practical, and examination requirements, you can apply to the High Court to be officially admitted as an attorney.

Becoming an attorney in South Africa takes commitment and structured effort, from completing matric to earning an LLB, gaining practical experience, and finally achieving professional admission through the Legal Practice Council.

What Does an Attorney Do?

Attorneys play a crucial role in the legal system, offering a range of services to help their clients handle legal issues. They manage legal work that requires both expertise and strategic thinking. Hence, when you learn how to become an attorney in South Africa, you must know what an attorney does. Here is an overview of the duties that attorneys typically perform:

• Provide legal advice to clients, explaining complex legal issues and guiding them through their options during legal proceedings.
• Conduct thorough case research, including investigating details like police and accident reports.
• Perform legal research by studying applicable laws and previous court rulings.
• Prepare case materials for trial, including drafting pleadings, contracts, deeds and other essential legal documents.

Completing Your Law Degree To Become an Attorney

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme is a four-year programme that provides the essential skills and knowledge to excel in the legal profession. With Regenesys Law School, you will get access to a well-structured curriculum that equips you with the fundamental expertise to become an attorney. Hence, when you try to understand how to become an attorney in South Africa, you should explore the subjects and modules this programme offers. 

Here is an overview of the modules you will find in this four-year programme: 

• Constitutional Law
• Jurisprudence
• Law of Contract 
• Law of Succession
• Legal Interpretation
• Legal Pluralism
• Patent and Copyright Law
• International Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Administrative Law
• Introduction to Tax Law
• Criminal Law
• Labour Law

Practical Legal Training to Become an Attorney

While trying to understand how to become an Attorney in South Africa, practical legal training is a crucial step. Here is a brief overview of how you can get practical training for your legal career:

1. Work as a Candidate Attorney: After earning your LLB degree, you will work as a candidate attorney under a two-year practical vocational training (PVT) contract at an approved law firm or institution.
2. Complete Articles of Clerkship: This is a mandatory two-year training period where you gain hands-on legal experience under the supervision of a qualified attorney. Your principal, who could be a practising lawyer or a partner at a law firm, is responsible for filing the necessary paperwork with the Legal Practice Council (LPC).
3. Meet PLT Requirements: During your articles, you must complete a structured PLT programme consisting of at least 150 notional hours. This coursework is essential for your practical training.

Understanding the Four Attorney Board Exams in South Africa

Before being admitted as an attorney, candidates in South Africa must pass four board examinations that evaluate both their legal knowledge and practical skills. These exams ensure that aspiring attorneys are well-prepared to handle the diverse responsibilities of legal practice, from court procedures to ethical conduct and financial management.

These are the four Attorney board exam papers:

• Court Procedures (Paper 1):
  This paper tests your understanding of legal processes, court rules, and how to manage litigation effectively.
• Administration of Estates (Paper 2):
  Focuses on estate management, wills, and the winding up of deceased estates in accordance with South African law.
• Attorney’s Practice (Ethics) (Paper 3):
  Covers professional conduct, client relationships, and the ethical responsibilities of practising attorneys.
• Accounting (Paper 4):
  Assesses your knowledge of legal accounting principles, trust accounts, and financial record-keeping within a legal practice.

These four board exams form a critical part of the journey to becoming an attorney in South Africa, ensuring that every candidate is fully equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation to practise law professionally.

Essential Subjects Required to Prepare for the Attorneys’ Admission Exam

As you understand how to become an Attorney in South Africa, you must know that passing the Attorneys’ Admission Exam is a crucial milestone. These exams are designed to assess your understanding of various aspects of legal practice and ensure you are fully prepared for the professional demands of becoming an attorney. Here are the four distinct subjects covered in the board exams:

• Accounting
• Court Procedures
• Administration of Estates 
• Attorney’s Practice (Ethics) 

How Do You Get Admission as an Attorney?

Once you have fulfilled the educational and training requirements, the next step is to apply for admission as an attorney. When you successfully gain admission as an attorney in South Africa, you can position yourself for a rewarding career in the legal profession. So, as you learn how to become an attorney in South Africa, you should know the steps to get admission, which are given below:

• Step 1: Submit an application to the High Court for admission and enrolment as an attorney. The court will review your application to ensure you meet all the requirements outlined in Section 26 of the Legal Practice Act.
• Step 2: Send a copy of your application to the Legal Practice Council (LPC) along with the required information. The LPC regulates the profession and ensures that all candidates meet the professional standards for admission.

By completing these steps on how to become an attorney in South Africa, you will be on your way to becoming a registered attorney and advancing your career in the legal field.

Essential Tips for Aspiring Attorneys

Preparing for law school or looking to enhance your current practice, adopting effective strategies can help you achieve success. So, while learning how to become an attorney in South Africa, you must try to follow some of the essential tips, like: 

• Establish a consistent study schedule with manageable chunks and focus on understanding concepts rather than memorising them.
• Seek internships, clerkships, and volunteer opportunities to apply classroom knowledge and build a professional network.
• Network with peers and professors, as well as practising lawyers, to gain mentorship, job opportunities, and career insights.
• Enhance your ability to draft clear and persuasive legal documents through focused coursework and practice.
• Keep up with current legal developments and trends by reading legal journals and news articles.

Also, explore our article on beginners guide for law students. 

Conclusion

Becoming an Attorney in South Africa requires a blend of academic achievement, practical experience, and continuous professional development. Attorneys are critical to the legal system because their roles encompass providing legal advice and preparing essential legal documents. However, to become an attorney, you will have to complete several key steps, starting from earning an LLB degree to passing the Attorneys’ Admission Exams and registering with the Legal Practice Council.

Enrol in Regenesys Education Bachelor of Laws programme to start your career as an Attorney. You will get a well-structured curriculum and highly experienced faculty to guide you towards a successful career. Apply today!

How To Become An Attorney In South Africa? – FAQs