PVT Schools are available at ten campuses. These are situated in: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Johannesburg, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth, Potchefstroom, Pretoria and Venda. This is a minimum four-month attendance course. In addition, the LSSA offers a distance School in conjunction with the University of South Africa (UNISA); this is a minimum five-month course. Click here for the contact details for all the Schools.

LLB graduates who successfully complete the course qualify to reduce their PVT contract period by 12-months should they wish to be admitted as attorneys. Those who want to be admitted as advocates only require a 12-month PVT contract, and no reduction is applicable.

A limited number of places are available at each campus, and applicants go through a selection process before being accepted (refer to item 8 for key selection criteria). Therefore, the attached application form does not guarantee acceptance. A formal acceptance letter will be sent, where an application is successful.

Subject to adequate applications, registrations and capacity, the LSSA may open a third School in the final trimester (September to December) at the ten attendance Schools or an additional course at the LSSA-UNISA Distance Learning School (July to December).

The primary benefit of attending the course is that law graduates gain a full spectrum of skills and knowledge, which they may not gain as candidate legal practitioners during their period of service under a PVT contract. As an ancillary outcome, candidates are trained in preparation for the competency-based admission examinations written by candidate legal practitioners intending to practice as an attorney.

Candidates are trained in a practical context, in a simulated law firm environment. Each candidate is allocated to a ‘law firm’. Moot courts and practical work form the foundation of the training activities. Candidates exchange pleadings and draft the necessary court papers in action and application proceedings.

Modules:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Attorneys’ Bookkeeping;
• Constitutional Practice;
• Criminal Court Practice;
• Drafting of Contracts;
• High Court Practice;
• Information and communication technology for practice, and associated aspects of cyber law
• Introduction to Practice Management;
• Labour Dispute Resolution;
• Legal Costs;
• Magistrate’s Court Practice
• Matrimonial Law;
• Personal Injury Claims
• Professional Legal Ethics;
• Wills and Estates.

• Consideration will be given to candidates  :–
  • Who have completed the LLB degree at a South African university;
  • Who have been awarded a South African BProc degree; or
  • Who have completed a law degree in another country, which is equivalent to the South African LLB degree and recognised by SAQA as equivalent.
  • Non-SA citizens must attach a study permit valid for the duration of training.
• NB: Confirmation of foreign accreditation by SAQA is the responsibility of the applicant.
• A selection committee will consider the applications. The committee may require applicants to attend interviews.
• Due to the large number of applications, preferences will be given to applicants who reside within the School’s region.
• Non-SA Citizens must please note the requirements of the LPA regarding admission to practice for non-SA Citizens.

Intake 1 (Day and Night): January 2025 – April 2025

Closing date for Applications: 31 October 2024

Intake 2 (Day and Night): May 2025 – August 2025

Closing date for Applications: 28 February 2025.

Intake 3 (Day and Night) September 2025 – December 2025

Closing date for Applications:  30 May 2025.

the estimated fee is

R 20 250 (15 % VAT included).

If your application is successful, the fee must be paid before the course commences. The fee includes study material but excludes stationery. Candidates are responsible for their own arrangements, accommodation and travelling expenses. Candidates may wish to defer making accommodation and travelling arrangements until it is confirmed that the course is proceeding.

Preparation and participation are of paramount importance to complete the programme successfully. Candidates are expected to be proficient in knowledge of the substantive law prior to attending the programme. Due to severe time constraints, candidates are expected to do independent self study prior to attending lectures, where applicable.

Formative and summative assessments will be conducted.

For the attendance Schools, a minimum of 50% per summative assessment and full attendance is required to complete the programme successfully.

For the UNISA Distance School, a minimum of 50% per summative assessment and assignments is required to complete the programme successfully.

a certified copy of the applicant’s South African identity document; and

proof of law degree – a certified copy of the applicant’s LLB degree from a South African university or an original letter from the Dean of Law of the University concerned, stating that the student has completed their LLB degree in the current year; alternatively, will have no more than two modules outstanding by the time the School commences; or a certified copy of the applicant’s BProc degree; or a certified copy of written proof of a completed law degree in another country, which SAQA recognises as an equivalent to the South African LLB degree, and a certified copy of written proof of such recognition by SAQA.