A barrister is a qualified legal professional who offers specialist advice whilst representing, advocating and defending its clients in court.
How to Become a Barrister in South Africa
To become a barrister, you have to complete either a:
Qualifying law degree (with 2:2 (hons) as a minimum);or
A non-law degree (with 2:2 (hons) as a minimum) and a law conversion course such as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
How to Become a Barrister: Training in South Africa
Below are the steps to take after completing your law degree or conversion course.
Apply for and complete mini pupillages
Apply for the vocational component of barrister training
Join one of the Inns of Court (which must be done before commencing the vocational component of training)
Sit the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) during the summer preceding commencement of your vocational training
Complete the vocational training (click here to see institutions offering this option)
Apply for pupillages in chambers or in house
Complete your pupillage
Qualify as a barrister and apply for tenancy in chambers
Career Progression to Become A Barrister in South Africa
Once you have completed a year’s pupillage in chambers and have gained a tenancy, you’ll then be considered junior counsel. Junior counsel participate mainly in assisting senior counsel in their chambers, and attending hearings in the lower courts.
How long is law school to become a lawyer in South Africa?
four years
The degree must be obtained from an accredited South African law school at one of the various universities or colleges in South Africa. The LLB degree usually takes four years to complete and the BCom plus LLB degrees five years.
How do I become admitted to a lawyer in South Africa?
In order to be admitted as an attorney you have to complete two years of law articles. During that time you will work in a law firm as a “candidate attorney” under the guidance of an attorney. GoLegal has a publishers’ directory which lists several law firms in which one can do their articles.
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.
Can I become a lawyer without a degree?
It’s impossible to become a lawyer without a degree, so you’ll need to invest significant time learning about the law before you even see a case.
Is a barrister higher than a solicitor?
Barristers can be distinguished from a solicitor because they wear a wig and gown in court. They work at higher levels of court than solicitors and their main role is to act as advocates in legal hearings, which means they stand in court and plead the case on behalf of their clients in front of a judge.
Is a barrister cheaper than a solicitor?
A barrister is usually the most cost-effective way of going through the legal system because they are paid by their work. A solicitor meanwhile will charge by the hour. With a solicitor, however, you’re paying additional costs which contribute towards the running of a solicitor’s office.
Who is the highest paid barrister?
Graham Aaronson QC, Michael Flesch QC and David Goldberg QC, are, according to this year’s Legal 500 of leading barristers and solicitors, the highest earners at the Bar. They are closely followed by three commercial silks, led by the Labour peer Lord Grabiner QC, who are each estimated to have earned £1.25m last year.