How to Become A Medical Lawyer In South Africa

A medical lawyer, also known as a medical malpractice attorney or medical malpractice lawyer, is a personal injury lawyer that specializes in cases involving improper or harmful medical care.

What Does a Medical Lawyer Do?

While some people may believe that medical lawyers are primarily concerned with suing private physicians or hospitals for malpractice, current changes in the medical field seem to indicate otherwise.

The Open Society Foundations state that public health is as an area that requires an increased legal presence; advocacy is needed on a global as well as national scale (www.soros.org).

What type of lawyer gets paid the most in South Africa?

Top earners include General Counsel (GC) and partners, both of which can expect to take home R5 million a year at the high-end of market. At the other end of the scale, candidate attorneys can expect to earn between R250,000 and R300,000 a year at top law firms.

Which law field is in demand?

Specializations- Cyber Law, Banking Law, Intellectual Property Law, etc. Certain areas in law have experienced vast development and growth. This growth would reflect directly in increased market demand for lawyers specializing in fields such as cyberlaw, tax law, intellectual property law, etc

The following chart provides an overview about becoming a medical lawyer.

Degree RequiredJuris Doctor (J.D.)
Training RequiredAlmost all states require ongoing continuing legal education training
Key SkillsGood research, communication, analytical, writing and speaking skills
Licensure or CertificationAll states require licensure for lawyers
Job Growth (2018-2028)6% for all lawyers*
Median Salary (2018)R 1827324.69for all lawyers*

Medical lawyers work on cases that deal with medical practitioner negligence, violations of patient confidentiality, or criminal activity involving patient abuse and misuse of prescription drugs. The field of medical law is a broad discipline that falls under the practice of personal injury, medical malpractice, and health care law.

Lawyers of all kinds, including those who specialize in medical-related practice, write legal documents, research laws, present a client’s case to a judge or jury, and negotiate settlement agreements. These professionals work in office settings on a full-time basis, though overtime hours are common. Some travel to meet with clients and to attend hearings.

Below are steps to Become A Medical Lawyer In South Africa

Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

Most law schools require that applicants possess a bachelor’s degree. Law students typically complete programs in economics, government, or history. Aspiring medical lawyers might consider completing a degree program in health care administration, health studies, or health humanities.

These programs introduce students to the clinical, legal, and other aspects of the health care system, knowledge of which may prove beneficial when working as a medical lawyer.

Take the LSAT

To get into law school, applicants must take and pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Undergraduate students usually complete the LSTAT during their junior year.

The LSAT is a half-day exam that tests an aspiring lawyer’s critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and reading skills. Students may increase their test scores by completing a prep course that provides test taking techniques and familiarizes them with the contents of the exam.

Complete Law School

About three years of full-time study is required to complete law school. Programs emphasize basic law concepts during the first year, such as criminal, constitutional, and property law, as well as torts.

In the final two years, students can take elective classes, like medical research ethics and the law, medical malpractice, and public health law. During this time, they also gain practical experience through judicial internships, medical-legal clinics, and other fieldwork.

Earn a Master of Laws Degree

Licensed lawyers can earn a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Health Care Law or Global Health Law. These programs often include clinical experiences or internships in addition to coursework.

Classes may cover topics like law and science, health care reform law, the fundamentals of health law, and public health law. Obtaining this degree can demonstrate to prospective employers a candidate’s commitment and expertise in laws relating to the medical field.

How long does it take to become a medical 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 medical lawyer In South Africa?

Medical Lawyers

Degree LevelJuris Doctor (J.D.)
Degree FieldLaw
Experience2+ years experience for some positions; 5-10 years of experience for advanced positions
LicensureAll states require licensure
Key SkillsResearch, writing, speaking, interpersonal, negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills

What qualifications do you need to be a medical lawyer In South Africa?

First, you must obtain an LLB; this is a law degree that you study at undergraduate level. It covers many aspects of law, and you have the option of choosing modules that focus on medicine and healthcare. After this, you should aim to pursue your Legal Practice Course (LPC) if you want to become a solicitor.

Where can I study medical lawyer in South Africa?

LLM Programs in Health Law / Medical Law – South Africa

University of Pretoria. Pretoria, South Africa 84 Followers 16 Discussions.

University of KwaZulu-Natal – Howard College Campus.

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) – Pietermaritzburg Campus.

University of Pretoria – Centre of Human Rights.

What type of lawyer gets paid the most in South Africa?

Top earners include General Counsel (GC) and partners, both of which can expect to take home R5 million a year at the high-end of market. At the other end of the scale, candidate attorneys can expect to earn between R250,000 and R300,000 a year at top law firms.

How much does a new lawyer earn in South Africa?

A Junior Attorney in South Africa usually earns an average Salary of R 15,922 per month. A Senior Attorney is higher in level than a Junior Attorney, having 4- 10 years of Professional experience. Hence, their Salary is usually higher with an estimated Average Salary of R 30,000 per month.

Which law field is in demand?

Specializations- Cyber Law, Banking Law, Intellectual Property Law, etc. Certain areas in law have experienced vast development and growth. This growth would reflect directly in increased market demand for lawyers specializing in fields such as cyberlaw, tax law, intellectual property law, etc.

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

This is expected to rise to R107,600 by 2025 and as much as R165,600 by 2030. Below BusinessTech looked at the cost of a year’s study at universities around the country.

University fees 2019: how much it costs to study in South Africa.

UniversityUniversity of Pretoria
BAR41 687
BComR42 600
BScR44 062
LLBR40 500

What is a medical lawyer called In South Africa?

A medical lawyer, also known as a medical malpractice attorney or medical malpractice lawyer, is a personal injury lawyer that specializes in cases involving improper or harmful medical care

What is a medical lawyer salary In South Africa?

The average annual salary for Medical Negligence Lawyer jobs in Sydney ranges from R 1209047.85 to R1813571.77.