As students enter the Further Education and Training (FET) phase of high school (Gr 10-12) in South Africa, they are faced with an important decision. They must choose which career path they want to pursue. This must be done so they can choose the subjects needed to pursue their chosen career.
Becoming a lawyer is a popular career path and that is why we decided to take a closer look at the profession. We will examine what they do, how long it takes to become a lawyer, and the all-important salary information. We will also look at how you can tell if becoming a lawyer is right for you, and the subjects needed for law in the FET phase. We hope this will assist you in making an informed decision about your future, and the subjects you will need to pursue it.
What a lawyer does
A lawyer is defined as a person who possesses an LLB degree, also known as a Bachelor of Law, and is working in the field of law. It takes a minimum of three years to complete an LLB qualification by studying full-time, and it is a challenging course to complete. However, when most people think of a lawyer they actually think of an attorney. An attorney is a level higher than a lawyer as they have completed their LLB, their 2 years of articles, and passed their professional exams. Attorneys are often referred to as lawyers though lawyers usually work under the supervision of qualified attorneys. Under this supervision, there are a number of tasks that most lawyers will perform in the course of their duties. These are as follows:
- Legal advice and counsel: The primary task of a lawyer is to provide legal counsel and advice to their clients. This requires them to put the needs of their clients first and apply their knowledge and understanding of the law to the client's unique circumstances.
- Legal research: A great deal of a lawyer's work involves legal research. This includes researching laws relevant to their current case, and previous rulings in similar cases which can be cited as precedence.
- Writing legal documents: Lawyers are often involved in the drafting of legal documents. These can include contracts, wills, divorces, real estate contracts, and more.
- Mediation: Lawyers are often involved in mediation between disputing parties. Through mediation, they strive to find an agreeable solution to the dispute, while avoiding costly litigation for both parties.
These are some of the most common duties a lawyer will perform. You may be wondering about court appearances. In South Africa, it is advocates that represent individuals in court, not lawyers or attorneys.
Salary
Before we look at the subjects needed to study law, we must answer one of the most important questions regarding any career option. In South Africa, the salary of a lawyer ranges from R400 000 to R3.5 million per year. This will depend on their field of specialisation, qualifications, experience and other factors. The law profession can be quite lucrative.
Is becoming a lawyer the right choice for you?
Lastly, before we look at the subjects needed to study law, it is important to determine if becoming a lawyer is right for you. Ultimately it is your decision and the best-determining factor will be if you feel passionate about the beauty of the law. There are some other qualities that can help you succeed as a lawyer. These are as follows:
- Intelligence: Lawyers are required to quickly grasp new concepts, process them, and make important decisions regarding them.
- Diligence: Lawyers work very hard, both to obtain their qualifications and during the course of their careers. They often work long hours, which requires them to have good work ethic and be diligent in their work.
- Determination: It is a long process to become a lawyer, and even more so to become a successful one.
- Compassion: Ultimately the law is intended to help and protect people. As lawyers execute the law, a sense of compassion is useful as it allows them to help their clients to the best of their ability.
If you possess these qualities and are passionate about the law and helping others, a career as a lawyer may be right for you.
Subjects needed to study law
If you have decided that a career in law is right for you, you are probably wondering about subject choices. To study an LLB at most universities in South Africa you must obtain an average of 70% in English Home Language or English First Additional Language. That is the only subject requirement although you will also need an Admission Point Score (APS) of 32. This means that you can study law without maths, as long as you complete Maths Literacy.
While English is the only requirement, there are other recommended subjects. These subjects can assist you in becoming a successful lawyer in various ways. These recommended subjects are as follows:
- History: An understanding of history provides deeper insight into how the modern legal system came about. It also familiarises you with how to conduct factual research into past events.
- Business Studies: As many successful lawyers start their own law firms, business studies can prove vital to a lawyer's success as it will equip you with a basic understanding of business practices.
- Life Orientation: While this subject is compulsory it is useful for aspiring lawyers as it gives you an idea of the state of society and the individual's role in it.
Conclusion
Becoming a lawyer is a great career option for FET students. We hope this article has provided you with a better understanding of this career option, and if it is right for you. If you would like to learn more about how to become an attorney in South Africa, you can find out more here. To those of you who have chosen this career path, we wish you all the best as we eagerly await the day we can welcome you as one of our peers in this wonderful profession.
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