Legal Secretary Requirements

Explore all you need to know about legal secretary requirements. This include requirements you need to meet for our accredited courses and more.

Legal secretaries are an important part of the legal world. They handle all the paperwork and help keep law offices organised. If you want to work as a legal secretary, there are a few legal secretary requirements you need to meet.

To get started as a legal secretary, you’ll need:

  • A matric certificate or something similar.
  • You should be able to read, write, and speak English well.

Legal Secretary Requirements In South Africa

Enrolling in a NATED course in South Africa is easy if you meet the simple requirements. These courses are a great way to gain practical and theoretical skills for your career.

  1. Matric Certificate or EquivalentYou need a matric certificate to join a NATED course. If you don’t have one, don’t worry. You can look at other courses that don’t need matric or work on finishing your matric as an adult.
  2. English SkillsAll NATED courses are taught in English. This means you need to be able to read, write, and understand English well..

Legal Secretary Subjects

When you study to be a legal secretary, you’ll take classes that prepare you for the job. These classes help you learn skills like handling documents and understanding legal terms.

Curriculum

Here’s a look at the subjects in the NATED legal secretary courses:

CourseSubjectsDescription
N4 Legal Secretary
  • Office Practice
  • Communication
  • Information Processing
  • Mercantile Law
Learn how to handle office tasks, communicate well, manage data, and understand basic business law.
N5 Legal Secretary
  • Office Practice
  • Communication
  • Information Processing
  • Legal Practice
Build on what you learned in N4 and gain skills for handling legal documents and assisting clients.
N6 Legal Secretary
  • Office Practice
  • Legal Practice
  • Information Processing
  • Mercantile Law
Learn advanced skills for managing legal tasks and working in professional settings.

What Is The Legal Secretary Course?

The legal secretary course helps you get ready to work in a law office. You’ll learn about legal documents, office work, and how to help clients.

This course is great for anyone who wants to work in law firms, government offices, or corporate legal teams. You’ll learn the skills to organise an office and manage important tasks.

How Long Does It Take To Study Legal Secretary?

The time it takes to become a legal secretary depends on the course level:

After you finish all three levels, you’ll need to do 18 months of practical work. This will earn you a National Diploma in Legal Secretary.

Looking to work in the legal field? Start with our legal secretary courses. These are designed to help you get the skills you need. Contact us today to learn more or to sign up. Your future starts here.

Knowing the requirements is the first step. Now, let’s see how many jobs are out there for legal secretaries in South Africa. This career might be just what you’re looking for.

Demand In The Market

Legal secretaries are in high demand in South Africa. Many businesses, law firms, and government offices need skilled people to keep things running smoothly. This job is a great choice if you like organising, helping others, and working in a professional office setting.

If you’re looking for a career where your skills will always be needed, being a legal secretary could be the perfect fit.

Is Legal Secretary A Good Course?

Yes, it is! A legal secretary course is a smart choice if you’re interested in law and want to work in an office. This course teaches you the practical skills you need, like preparing documents and helping legal professionals.

The course is simple to follow and gives you hands-on training for real-life situations. After completing it, you’ll be ready to start working in places like law firms, courts, or even big companies.

It’s a great way to get into the legal field without studying for many years. Plus, the skills you learn can open the door to many opportunities.

Benefits Of Studying Legal Secretary Courses

A legal secretary course comes with many benefits. Here are some of the top reasons to consider it:

  • Learn Useful Skills
  • Plenty of Jobs
  • Grow Your Career
  • Work in Different Places

Learn Useful Skills

You’ll learn how to manage documents, answer client questions, and keep offices organised. These are practical skills that are useful in any job, not just law.

Plenty Of Jobs

Legal secretaries are needed everywhere. Law firms, businesses, and government offices all need skilled people to help them stay organised. This means there’s a good chance you’ll find a job after studying.

Grow Your Career

Starting as a legal secretary can be the first step in a long career in the legal field. With more experience, you could take on bigger roles or even study further.

Woman with legal practitioner at the court. Here's How to Become a Paralegal

Work in Different Places

The skills you learn are not just for one type of job. You can work in small offices, big companies, or even courts. This gives you lots of options for your future.

Start Your Career in Law Today

Ready to take the next step? Our legal secretary courses make it easy to learn the skills you need. Speak to us today and find out how to enrol. Your future starts here.

Now that you know the demand for legal secretaries, let’s look at the career options waiting for you in the legal field. You might be surprised by how many paths this course can open.

Opportunities In The Legal Field

Working in the legal field can open doors to many jobs. Legal secretaries are needed to keep offices organised and make sure everything runs smoothly. If you’re good at planning and enjoy working with people, this career could be a great match.

Let’s explore the jobs you can get and why this role is so important.

Is Legal Secretary In Demand?

Yes, legal secretaries are needed in many places in South Africa. Law firms, courts, and companies all depend on them to handle paperwork, organise schedules, and assist with clients.

The demand for legal secretaries stays strong because their skills are essential. With a recognised NATED course, you can gain the qualifications employers look for.

Legal Secretary Jobs

If you have a NATED qualification, there are many jobs you can do, such as:

  • Law Firm Secretary: Help lawyers with their daily tasks, like preparing case files and setting up meetings.
  • Corporate Legal Assistant: Support corporate lawyers by managing contracts and organising important documents.
  • Court Clerk: Assist with keeping court records up to date and helping with the schedule.

After gaining experience, you can aim for higher roles. You might become an office manager or focus on areas like property law or working on court cases. The legal field also gives you a chance to study further and learn even more.

Our legal secretary courses will teach you the skills you need. Contact us today and begin your journey to success.

Understanding the career options is just the start. Let’s dive into the daily responsibilities of a legal secretary and why their work is so important in the legal field.

Role Of A Legal Secretary

Legal secretaries are an important part of any law office. They make sure everything runs smoothly and help lawyers stay organised. If you like planning and working with people, this role could be perfect for you.

Let’s take a closer look at what legal secretaries do and the skills you’ll need.

What Is A Legal Secretary?

A legal secretary is someone who helps lawyers and other legal staff with their work. They don’t give legal advice, but they do a lot to keep the office running.

From organising files to preparing important documents, legal secretaries are a big part of any legal team. They are the people who make sure everything is in order.

What Does A Legal Secretary Do?

Legal secretaries have a lot of responsibilities. Some of the things they do include:

  • Preparing Legal Documents: This can be contracts, court forms, or letters.
  • Organising Schedules: They book meetings and make sure deadlines are not missed.
  • Communicating with Clients: They answer calls and emails and give updates when needed.
  • Keeping Files in Order: They manage and store important papers.

These tasks make sure the legal team can focus on their cases without any distractions.

What Skills Do You Need To Work As A Legal Secretary?

To be a great legal secretary, there are some key skills you need. Here’s a checklist to help you:

  • Clear Communication: You need to speak and write in a way that everyone can understand.
  • Attention to Detail: Small mistakes can cause big problems in legal work, so being careful is very important.
  • Being Organised: You’ll be managing schedules, files, and tasks, so you need to keep everything in order.
  • Computer Knowledge: You should know how to use programs like Word, Excel, and email tools.
  • Teamwork: Working well with others is a big part of the job.

These skills will help you succeed and make you a valuable member of any legal team. Speak to us today to enrol and start your journey to a better future.

Legal secretaries are the backbone of any legal office. They help keep things organised and running smoothly. With the right training and skills, this role can be the start of a fulfilling career.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average salary for a legal secretary in South Africa ranges from R10,000 to R25,000 per month, depending on experience and the size of the organisation. Entry-level roles may pay less, but with more experience, you can earn a higher salary.

Yes, you can study certain legal secretary courses without a matric certificate. However, for NATED courses, a matric certificate is required. If you don’t have matric, there are alternative provider programmes available.

No, maths is not required to become a legal secretary. The focus is on administrative and legal skills rather than mathematical ability.

Skills Academy does not require an APS score for enrolment. For NATED legal secretary courses, a matric certificate is the only requirement.

Our legal secretary course fees include everything you need: study materials, tutor support, online resources, and exam fees, with free delivery of materials. This transparent pricing ensures no hidden costs, so you can focus on your studies.

Last Updated: 3 January 2025

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