How To Become A A Family Advocate In South Africa

The Family Advocate assists members of a family to reach an agreement on disputed issues of custody, access and guardianship.

What’s it like to be a A Family Advocate ?

Family Lawyers provide professional advice, assistance and support with a wide range of issues including: separation, divorce, child support, adoption and property, and financial settlements.

Family Lawyers also advise on alternative dispute resolution options, considerations prior to entering a relationship or prior to separating, and financial agreements such as prenuptials, superannuation splitting and spousal maintenance.

What skills do A Family Advocate need?

Beyond the specialized knowledge, succeeding as a family lawyer requires the same basic skills as other legal areas: strong written and verbal communication, time management, critical thinking and analysis, etc. Moreover, strong “people skills” are especially important for family lawyers.

What makes a good family lawyer?

A family lawyer who has a perfect understanding of the emotional and mental state of a person going through such a situation will strive to do their utmost best and have a better idea of their client’s struggle. They can connect with family members quickly and work tirelessly to win on behalf of their clients.

How To Become A family lawyer In South Africa

To become a Family Lawyer in Australia you will need to apply to the local Law Society for a Practicing Certificate. You’ll then need to complete 18 to 24 months of supervised practice at a law firm. Pathways to becoming a practicing Family Lawyer typically require a combined 5-6 years of education and training.

Complete a Bachelor of Law (LLB) undergraduate degree or a Juris Doctor (JD) postgraduate degree. Both courses are 3 or 4 years long.

Complete Practical Legal Training (PLT). This can be completed in less than a year.

Gain admission from the relevant state or territories Admissions Authority within 5 years of graduation.

Apply for a Practicing Certificate from the local Law Society.

Complete 18 to 24 months of supervised practice at a law firm. Although it is not compulsory to complete this at a family law firm, it is certainly preferable if family law is your chosen field.

Once you have become a practicing lawyer, you may choose to study a Master of Law (LLM) specializing in family law. Again, this is not compulsory in order to practice as a Family Lawyer.

Tasks and duties

Resolving legal issues for clients.

Corresponding regularly with clients and other solicitors about legal matters.

Preparing documents including court applications, contracts and settlement documents.

Attending court.

How long does it take to become a Family Advocate 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.

What education is needed to become a Family Advocate?

Required Education

A family law professional is required to earn a 4-year undergraduate degree and then complete a juris doctor (J.D.) degree. Most states require that the J.D. be completed at a law school approved by the American Bar Association.

What subjects are needed to become a Family Advocate in South Africa?

Subjects that are needed to become a lawyer in South Africa include Foundations of South African law, South African private law, constitutional law, criminal law, intellectual property, evidence and African Customary 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.

Is law a good career choice 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.

How much do you get paid to be a Family Advocate in South Africa ?

At the lowest end of the scale are junior family lawyers who earn an average annual salary of R 785881.10. Conversely, the top 10% of Family Lawyers earn an average annual salary of R 2010042.05.

Is it hard to become a lawyer?

The challenging years of law school. The process of becoming a lawyer isn’t for the faint of heart. Law schools are highly competitive to gain acceptance, and aspiring lawyers will need to pass the daunting LSAT to prove their worth a process that can take a full year of study and preparation.

How much do lawyers earn in South Africa?

Legal professionals are also proving to be highly mobile, with 19% surveyed being open to new job offers – mainly looking for a pay rise or career progression.

Here’s how much money lawyers earn in South Africa.

Private Practice2021 annual salary range
Newly QualifiedR550 000 – R620 000
PartnerR1 200 000 – R1 800 000
Senior AssociateR850 000 – R1 200 000

What is interesting about family law?

Family law is often seen as the area that deals with “real people”. It is very client-facing, and usually involves working with people who are undergoing turmoil in their personal lives. Matters are very varied because no two clients have experienced exactly the same issues.