Legal Assistance
Faculty of Human Sciences
Department: Legal Sciences
Diploma: Legal Assistance
- Admission Requirements: NSC
Compulsory subjects |
Age exemption: Applicants of mature age (23 with grade 12) who do not meet the entry requirements must submit proof of permanent employment in industry. |
English |
5 |
Other Language |
3 |
Mathematical Literacy |
4 or |
Mathematics |
3 |
Any other 3 subjects totalling (min. of 3 each subject) |
12 |
Matric certificate must indicate admission to Diploma/B-degree |
- SC
A minimum rating of E (40-49%) for HG and D (50-59%) for SG subjects. English and Mathematics are compulsory. A total of 24 on the Swedish scale are required.
- N3-N6
A complete N6 related/appropriate qualification in the field of study. Exemption may be awarded for equivalent subjects scored (50-59%) with a 60% similarity in content.
- NASCA/NCV(4)
To register and complete the Foundation programme in the specific discipline with VUT, subject to the admission requirements for the Foundation programme for this specific discipline.
- International qualifications
All international qualifications will be evaluated by the International Office based on the Swedish scale.
- Transfers
Applications from students to transfer from other institutions will be dealt with in terms of the Recognition of Prior Learning and Continuation of Studies policies of VUT.
- Curriculum
First year: Applied Language Skills (EDL), Legal Profession 1, Mercantile Law 1, Legal Practice 1, Language and Life Skills, Law of Contract, Legal History, ICT Skills, Computing for Legal Assistance, Introduction to the Theory of Law.
Second Year: Legal Profession 2, Mercantile Law 2, Criminal Law 1, Legal Practice 2 Human Rights Law, Law of Evidence, Law of Succession.
Third Year: Legal Profession 3, Mercantile Law 3, Legal Practice 3, Interpretation of Statutes, Law of Civil Procedure, Law of Persons, Family Law, Law of Criminal Procedure.
- What are the duties of a Legal Assistant?
To provide a legal support service to practicing attorneys, advocates and legal advisors;
Render service in Legal Aid Departments by giving legal advice and support to clients;
Work in Police Departments by taking down witness statements; Provide support in the Justice Department and the court system; Provide professional and effective service to the public.
- Vocational Possibilities?
To pursue a career in legal assistance. The qualification will satisfy the niche areas identified as gaps in industry and can be applied by people that plan to practice as paralegals.
Core Syllabi
Language and Life Skills: Introduction, Writing skills, Research, Practical exercises.
Legal History: SA Law in historical & comparative perspective, Law in a Subjective Sense, Law in a Subjective Sense: Human Rights, The Law in a Normative Sense.
Mercantile Law 1.1: Contract of Sale, Contract of Agency, Contract of Lease and Occupancy, Law of Insolvency, Credit Agreements, Contract of Insurance. Legal Profession 1.1: Mistakes and Misapprehensions, Communicating and Drafting, Practice Management, Working in the Law, Miscellaneous.
ICT Skills: Introduction to macro computer systems, computer terminology, hardware components, different applicable programs, data, information, communication networks,
viruses, security, management information systems and purchasing of computer programs.
Computing for Legal Assistance: General introduction IT Background & Concepts, Basic use of the computer, Microsoft Word, Use of Worksheets, Introduction to PowerPoint, The Internet.
Introduction to the Theory of Law: What is the Law?, History of South African Law, Sources of Law, Classification of the Law, Perspectives on Law.
Mercantile Law 1.2: The law of Partnerships, Companies, Close Corporations.
Legal Profession 1.2: Relationships with client, Relationship with the profession and the community, Relationships with other practitioners; Relationships with the Court, Mistakes and Misapprehensions.
Human Rights Law 1: Historical Background, International context and constitutional environment, Application, Interpretation and Limitation of the Bill of Rights, Various rights embodied in the Constitution, Non-judicial enforcement of human Rights, Human Rights Litigation.
Legal Profession 2.1: Introduction, Ethics in relation to costs, Non-Litigious matters, Civil Litigious matter, Bill of costs, Taxation.
Law of Evidence: Introduction and history, Scope and function, Sources, Relevance and Admissibility, Types of Evidence, Onus and Burden of Proof, Specific Rules.
Mercantile Law 2.1: The company as separate legal entity, Shares and debentures, Meetings of a company, Role and function of directors, Business rescue.
Criminal Law 1.1: General Principles, Conduct, Definitional elements, Unlawfulness, Culpability, Participation and accessory, Attempt, Conspiracy and Incitement.
Law of Succession: Introduction, Intestate succession, Testate succession, Testamentary capacity, Formalities of a will, Revocation of a will, Capacity to inherit, Administration of estates.
Legal Profession 2.1: (Administration of Deceased Estates) introduction, Executor’s account, Administration of the deceased estates, Practical exercises.
Mercantile Law 2.2: Introduction to intellectual property, Patents, Copyright, Trademarks, TRIPS Agreement.
Criminal Law 1.2: Specific Crimes, Crimes against the Person, Crimes relating to appropriation of Property, Fraud and related crimes, Offences relating to damage to property.
Law of Contract: Formation of a valid contract, Lawfulness of contract, Capacity to contract, Serious intention, Offer and Acceptance of contract, Certainty of terms of contract, Reality of consent, Possibility of performance, Common contractual provisions and third parties to a contract, Termination of contract and remedies.
Law of Persons: The concept of legal subjects, The beginning and end of legal personality, Status, Factors affecting status, Mental illness, Inability to manage own affairs, Influence of alcohol and drugs, Prodigality, Insolvency.
Law of Civil Procedure: Introduction to the Law of Civil Procedure, Court Structure and officers of the Courts, Jurisdiction of the Courts, The Action and Application Procedures, Summons and Service, Pleadings, Trial process, Appeals and Reviews, Execution.
Mercantile Law 3.1: Introduction, The contract of employment, Statutory legislation governing conditions of employment in business, Maintaining discipline in the workplace, Termination of employment, Resolving disputes over unfair dismissals, Fundamental rights and labour relations, Workers rights and collective labour law.
Legal Profession: Preparing to draft documents, correspondence, Practice Management, Research, Oral communication, Cross examination, Aims of cross examination, Preparing for cross-examination.
Interpretation of Statutes: Statutes, Functions of the courts, General rules of interpretation, Presumptions.
Law of Criminal Procedure: General concept of Criminal Procedure, Pre-trial Procedure, Rights of the accused, Preparation for trial, Trial procedure, Post- trial procedure.
Family Law: Introduction, Types of unions, Divorce law, Family Law in Practice, Maintenance for a spouse, Maintenance for a minor.
Mercantile Law 3.2: Copyright and the internet, Trademarks, domain names and meta tags, Electronic transactions, Privacy and the internet, Freedom of expression and the internet, Criminal law and the internet.
Legal Profession 3.2: Introduction, Legal Aid Policy, Legal Aid Procedure, Legal Aid in Criminal Matters, Rules relating to Legal Aid Matters.
Mercantile Law 3.3: Introduction to taxation, Gross Income, Exempt income, Fringe Benefits, Donations Tax, Estate Duty.
10. Enquiries
Enquiries may be addressed to: Information Desk
Vaal University of Technology
Private Bag X021, Vanderbijlpark 1900
Tel: (016) 950 9925/9053; Fax: (016) 950 9775/9731
e-mail: malunan@vut.ac.za
website: www.vut.ac.za
Advanced Diploma in Mediation
Faculty of Human Sciences
Department: Legal Sciences
- Admission Requirements: NSC
Any Bachelor’s degree.