An attorney in South Africa is a legal practitioner, admitted by the High Court, who advises clients, drafts legal documents, and represents clients in negotiations and in court. Attorneys are regulated by the Legal Practice Council.
What an attorney can help with
- Legal advice on your rights and options
- Letters of demand and responses to claims
- Contracts and commercial agreements
- Litigation in the magistrates' courts and the High Court
- Property transfers, if the attorney is also a conveyancer
- Mediation and settlement negotiations
To become an attorney, a person completes an LLB degree, practical vocational training, and the Legal Practice Council's admission exams, and is then admitted by the High Court.
In everyday use, "lawyer" is the general term. "Attorney" and "advocate" are the two branches of the profession.
This answer is general information about South African law and does not create an attorney and client relationship. Please speak to the firm about your specific matter.