As the concept of “paralegal” is a relatively
new one in South Africa, the first question that arises is: “What is a
paralegal?” Paralegals or Legal Assistants are people who,
though not qualified as legal practitioners, are able to function in a legal
environment. Paralegal training provides such a person with basic knowledge
of the legal principles relevant to the field in which they are working. As
a result they are able to work independently and to perform specifically
delegated legal tasks.
What is the
difference between the Senior Paralegal Diploma and the Commercial Law
Diploma Course?
Either the Senior Paralegal Diploma or the
Commercial Law Diploma is awarded to students who fulfill the
requirements of all six prescribed short certificate courses. Both
diplomas consist of the same modules with the same study content. The
difference between them comes at examination where emphasis is placed on Property
Law & Conveyancing for obtaining the Senior Paralegal Diploma,
and on Business Law for obtaining the Commercial Law Diploma.
It is recommended that a student choose at the beginning of his studies
which diploma course he/she prefers, but he/she may change to the other
diploma during the course of his/her studies, provided that at the end,
such a student complies with the requirements of the specific diploma at
examination.
You can re-write the exam when the subject
is held again, that is at the end of the following term. However, the normal
examination fees for the re-examination will be payable.
What are
the career opportunities after I complete my paralegal studies?
Apart from the obvious possibility of working independently
for one's own account in a paralegal practice, numerous employment opportunities
exist for Paralegals. The career section of the local
newspapers will usually show that the marketplace is looking for the
services of Paralegals in many areas. The skills of a Paralegal are an
asset in any legal environment, in both the public and private sector.
Paralegals can function as legal assistants to:
Are course fees deductible in terms of the Skills
Development Act 97 of 1998 ?
Course fees paid by an employer for the training of an
employee will entitle the employer to recover such expenditure (or part
thereof) as a grant against the levy payment paid over to the Department
of Labour. All our courses are short certificate courses and fall under the
category Grant “C”, in terms of the Regulations issued under
the Skills Development Act of 1998. Grant “C” provides that:
“An employer who is approved for Grant “A” and Grant “B” may
claim a further grant of 20 per cent of the total levy payment by
the employer for the implementation of the training specified in the
workplace skills plan.” (However, we shall not be liable for a different
interpretation hereof by any government official or department).
The Standards Governing Body for Legal
Education and Training with the South African Qualifications
Authority has recently been briefed to review, develop and generate
qualifications and standards in the legal and education and training
sphere. Dr Günter Pabst, Chief-Principal of the SA School of Paralegal
Studies, has been appointed as member of the Standards Governing Body for
Legal Education and Training with SAQA to
assist in this process. It confirms our leading role regarding
paralegal training in South Africa, and our commitment and ability
in the setting of standards in this field.
