Candidate Attorney (Road Accident Fund Claims)

Court runs, drafting and client consultations: a legal aid office in Pietermaritzburg will put you to work from week one. If you learn fast and don't mind being shown things twice, you'll settle in within a few weeks.

This post is Pietermaritzburg-based, with most of your time spent at a legal aid office. Start is planned for the beginning of next month.

• Issue and serve documents at the magistrate's court and High Court
• Take instructions from clients and write clear attendance notes
• Appear in the magistrate's court on postponements and unopposed matters
• Record your time on the practice management system every day
• Research case law and legislation on SAFLII and Juta or LexisNexis
• Study for the LPC competency-based examinations alongside the work
• Prepare affidavits and notices of motion for your principal to review

• Proficient in Word, Outlook and legal research databases
• LLB degree from a South African university
• Clear criminal record, as required for admission
• Ready to sign a practical vocational training contract registered with the LPC
• Willing to work late before trials and filing deadlines
• Code B driver's licence and a reliable car for court runs

• Second official language used by the firm's clients
• Moot court or legal clinic experience
• Completed PLT (Practical Legal Training) at a law school

• Paid PLT course fees at some firms
• Mentorship from an experienced principal
• Study leave for board exams
• Travel allowance for court runs

• Say which area of law you want and why in two lines; generic cover letters rarely get shortlisted.
• Apply early in the year, as most firms fill articles from January to March.