Candidate Legal Practitioner (TB00159) x4 Positions at North West University

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

• The Potchefstroom Law Clinic is committed to legal education and access to justice. In terms of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 a candidate attorney needs to complete practical vocational training in order to be admitted as a legal practitioner.
• This position is essential to provide legal services to the community and to provide LLB graduates the opportunity to gain access to the legal profession whilst doing community service.
• The appointment is made for a fixed term period of 12 months, renewable in the event that a 2-year practical vocational training contract is required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Legal Services, community engagement, social responsiveness:
• Represent clients in any matter assigned (criminal and civil matters).
• Plan and schedule day to day tasks and diarise all active client files.
• Draft letters, documents and pleadings at the request of the supervisor.
• Appear in Courts and tribunals where applicable.
• Organise meetings and consultations.
• Arrange trial dates.
• Receive and attend to clients.
• Make copies and bind documents where required.
• Take minutes at meetings and consultations and place on client file.
• Send and receive correspondence (fax, email, etc.), acknowledge receipt and file on relevant client file
• Negotiate and mediate on behalf of clients.
• Furnish advice and opinions to clients in matters entrusted to you.
• Stay abreast of and research the law and case law of relevance to matters entrusted to you.
• Avoid prescription and default judgements.
• Make follow-up on urgent matters and respond to enquiries timeously.
• Draw files on the request of the supervisor
• Keep register of new files, time utilisation and telephone utilisation.
• Manage telephone calls and convey messages to colleagues
• Maintain a record of work performance by completing monthly time sheets.
• Maintain a file register of all files handed to you.
• Comply with office instructions, prescripts and directives from supervisors and line managers
• Attend all required training.

Occupational Health and Safety:

• Under health and safety law, each employee has the duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by the former’s actions or omissions at work.
• Therefore, each employee must co-operate with management, OHS officials and colleagues to help everyone meet their legal requirements, whilst upholding and maintaining general occupational health and safety standards and practices.

Minimum requirements

• An LLB (NQF 8).
• Basic knowledge of advocacy, consultation, administration, drafting and file management

KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Legal language skills
• Basic research skills
• Computer literacy in MS Word and Office, as well as the use of email and internet
• Good communication skills (verbal and written)
• Demonstration of language proficiency in order to function optimally in the various multilingual environments of the NWU

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Good interpersonal relations
• The ability to accommodate multiculturalism

CLOSING DATE: 6 August 2025