In South Africa, [1] there are two main branches of legal practitioner: attorneys, who do legal work of all kinds, and advocates,[2] who are specialists; see Advocates in South Africa.
Attorneys give general advice in the law, and are engaged directly by clients, acting as the “manager” of the case. They will 'brief' an advocate when specialist litigation, or research into the law is required. Attorneys may form professional firms and practice in “partnerships”. [3] The profession is regulated by the Attorneys Act. (53 of 1979).[4] See split profession.
For admission as an attorney, the academic qualification required is an LLB degree from a South African university; see Legal education in South Africa. (Historically, the B.Proc. degree was also offered.)[1] One then serves "articles" as a candidate attorney with a practicing attorney for two years; the length of articles may be reduced by attending a practical legal training course or performing community service. The candidate must also write a "board exam" set by the relevant provincial Law Society. The examination comprises the following:
Attorneys may additionally qualify as Notaries and Conveyancers, via the Conveyancing and Notarial Practice Examinations; [5] those with technical or scientific training may further qualify as patent attorneys - see Patent attorney: South Africa.