NATIONAL Certificate
Paralegal Practice
What is a paralegal?
According to the National Paralegal Institute, a Paralegal is a person qualified by education, training, or experience to perform legal, social welfare, or related work requiring foundational knowledge of law.
Paralegals form the backbone of legal administration and community access to justice.
THE PARALEGAL MAY BE FOUND:
In community based advice offices run by community organisations or NGO’s
Employed by a government department or a non-government organisation
Working in Labour Law consultancies or for trade unions
Employed by a Legal Practitioner or Legal Firm
Self-employed as a Paralegal Practitioner or Legal consultant
Employed in a banking, insurance or other corporate environment
The Minister of Police has recently indicated the South African Police Services will be looking to employ Paralegals to assist in police stations throughout the country.
Core Competencies of a Paralegal include:
Helping people comply with administrative functions such as the completion of official documentation.
Understanding fundamental legal concepts.
Providing basic legal advice.
Understanding when to refer matters to a Legal Practitioner.
Advising and educating communities of their Human Rights.
COURSE OVERVIEW: National Certificate: Paralegal Practice (NQF Level 5, SAQA 97228)
South African Law & Legal System | Core Module | NQF5 | 15 Credits
Democracy & Governance | Elective Module | NQF5 | 5 Credits
Court Procedures | Core Module | NQF5 | 20 Credits
Fundamental Legal Concepts | Fundamental Module | NQF5 | 20 Credits
Client Guidance & Referral | Core Module | NQF5 | 10 Credits
Ethics & Professionalism | Core Module | NQF6 | 6 Credits
Negotiation Skills | Elective Module | NQF4 | 5 Credits
Workplace Communication | Fundamental Module | NQF5 | 10 Credits
Customer Service | Core Module | NQF5 | 6 Credits
Personal Performance Improvement | Fundamental Module | NQF5 | 3 Credits
Office Administration | Core Module | NQF5 | 4 Credits
Recordkeeping Systems | Core Module | NQF5 | 5 Credits
Information Management | Core Module | NQF5 | 5 Credits
Research Project | Core Module | NQF5 | 6 Credits
Small Business Financial Planning | Elective Module | NQF4 | 6 Credits
Legal Technology | Core Module | NQF6 | 6 Credits
SASSETA Accreditation
The course is registered on the National Qualification’s Framework at Level 5 (NQF5). The School is FULLY accredited by SASSETA to provide training and learner assessment. The School offers a unique programme which includes additional legal content modules in order to ensure that our graduates receive a fully integrated qualification. As far as we are aware we are the only Training Provider which has carefully formulated a comprehensive training programme that combines the qualification’s unit standards with our own additional modules. And all of our lecturers are experienced and qualified legal practitioners.
STUDY OPTIONS
Part-time - Saturday Morning Classes (Virtual from home). Includes ongoing assessments, practical tasks and workplace experience.
Full time - Monday – Wednesday mornings (May attend class, but may have to sit in virtual class). Includes theory, practical tasks, workplace experience, revision classes and ongoing assessments.
Students have one year to complete the qualification. Training schedules may be adjusted, and virtual classes will be used if needed.
THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF:
12 months of in-person theory covering various legal topics.
6 months of workplace-based practical modules for hands-on experience.
External examination at an accredited assessment center, plus a required work experience statement.
PROCEDURE TOWARDS COMPETENCY
Learners are required to:
Attend lectures and practical sessions
Complete all assessments and tasks
Compile a Portfolio of Evidence (POE) including workplace experience
Complete all modules according to schedule
Competency is awarded based on SASSETA verification of the POE.
Practical Exposure Includes:
Court visits
Advice office or job shadowing
Drafting legal documents
Workplace-based assignments
QUALIFICATION
To be awarded the National Certificate: Paralegal Practice, learners must:
Be found Competent in all Qualification Unit Standards
Achieve at least 50% in each module
Maintain 75% attendance
Complete all assignments and required workplace practice
Have all fees paid in full
Pass SASSETA verification and endorsement
admission Requirements
Since a certain amount of mature language comprehension is required it is recommended that prospective students have a completed matric National Senior Certificate (NQF 4). Please feel free to discuss any concerns you may have in this regard. Foreign qualifications must include a SAQA Evaluation letter.
Course Material
Learners do not need to buy any textbooks for the course. All course materials are provided in electronic format on an Android tablet, which is included in the tuition fees.
Registration closing dates
We operate on a rolling admissions system; this means you may enter the training at any point during the year when a new module commences.
CONTACT US
For more information and assistance with fees & application forms please contact the Student Enrolment Officer at the campus you wish to study at. The course is offered at the following campuses: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria. Click here for contact details.
