Paralegal
Support attorneys and advice offices with research, drafting and client intake — a shorter route into legal work.
What the job involves
- Prepare files, draft basic documents and do legal research.
- Help clients at community advice offices.
- Support attorneys with administration and court preparation.
School subjects you need
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy accepted. Confirm the exact requirement with the institution you apply to.
- English
- History
- Business Studies
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- National Senior Certificate (Higher Certificate pass is often enough)
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 18–26 for a certificate or diploma
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- English: 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
- Paralegal certificate or diploma1–3 years
Offered by colleges and some universities; check the qualification is SAQA-registered.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R8 000 – R15 000 per month
- Mid-career
- R16 000 – R28 000 per month
- Senior
- R30 000 – R45 000 per month
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: Usiza abameli ngocwaningo nemibhalo. Indlela emfushane yokungena emkhakheni womthetho.
Afrikaans: Ondersteun prokureurs met navorsing en dokumente.