Attorney
Advise clients, draft contracts and run court matters. The main route into legal practice in South Africa.
What the job involves
- Advise clients and draft legal documents.
- Represent clients in court or brief an advocate.
- Specialise in areas such as property, family, labour or commercial law.
School subjects you need
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy accepted. Confirm the exact requirement with the institution you apply to.
- English
- History
- Mathematics
- Business Studies
- A second language
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 30–36 for LLB
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- English: 60%+ is commonly required
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy: 40–50%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- LLB degree4 years (or 2 years after a BA/BCom)
Followed by articles of clerkship, practical vocational training and admission by the High Court.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R8 000 – R20 000 per month during articles
- Mid-career
- R35 000 – R70 000 per month
- Senior
- R90 000 – R250 000+ per month (partners and specialists)
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Weluleka amakhasimende futhi abamele emthethweni. Kudinga i-LLB nokuqeqeshwa.
Afrikaans: Adviseer kliënte en hanteer regsake. 'n LLB en klerkskap is nodig.