How to Become A Criminal Lawyer South Africa

Criminal lawyers (also known as criminal defense lawyers) defend individuals who have been accused of committing a crime.

Below is to Become A Criminal Lawyer South Africa

Qualification

The method of qualifying as a Criminal Lawyer is similar to qualifying as a Solicitor in most other practice areas.

The traditional route involves obtaining a training contract from a firm after completing a law degree followed by the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or a or non-law degree, the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) then the LPC.

Experience

During your law degree or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), you are required to cover Criminal Law as it forms a core area of English legal practice. However, this understanding will not be enough to boost your application when competing with other aspiring Criminal Solicitors.

Criminal Lawyer Skills

To be a Criminal Solicitor, you will require the following skill set:

• Determination and motivation

• The ability to think on your feet and process information quickly

• A high degree of social intelligence

• Neutrality and impartiality

• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills

• The ability to empathise and understand feelings, emotions and motivation

• The ability to work well in a high-pressure environment

How long does it take to become a criminal lawyer in South Africa?

The standard requirement before one can practice as a lawyer is completing an LLB degree which takes 4 years. Alternatively, some students choose to first study a BCom or BA which takes 3 years and then study another 2 years to complete their LLB.

How long does it take to become a criminal lawyer?

Prospective criminal lawyers typically complete seven years of full-time study at an accredited university and law school, pass the bar exam and secure licensure before practicing law.

Is there a demand for lawyers in South Africa?

Lawyers that are in the litigation sector are known to always be in high demand in South Africa. Therefore, lawyers that are experienced in areas like complex civil litigation, commercial litigation, insurance defense, labor and employment, and other related niches are always in high demand in the country.

How much does it cost to study law in South Africa 2020?

Different South African law schools have different tuition fees, eg University of Pretoria charges R31,430 to R40,000 to South African students for their taught LLM courses and international students have to pay an additional R3,130.

Is law school really hard?

In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.

Is criminal law a good career?

“Hard work and dedication is the key to success and high remuneration in this field”. In India, the salary of a well-known criminal lawyer is extremely high along with different other benefits. The salary of a lawyer will depends upon the cases handled and the client you are dealing with.

Is law a good career in South Africa?

There are various career options for lawyers in South Africa – you can either be admitted as an attorney and/or as an advocate. Choosing law as a career can be rewarding and exciting but it also requires hard work, dedication and a high level of commitment.