Practical Vocational Training

Why the PVT course?

Being accredited by the Law Society of South Africa for the CVK Practical Vocational Training course expands our horizons, thereby affirming Chartering Viable Knowledge as our primary purpose.

CVK Law School’s Practical Vocational Training course is equipped with 4-months of theoretical and applied learning, providing LLB graduates with the expertise to become competent legal practitioners. 

Training takes place in a simulated ‘law firm’ environment and after successful completion of the programme, graduates are granted certification from the Legal Practice Council. Thus, qualifying them in favour of 1-year articles, as candidate attorneys.

The primary advantage of CVK-LS’ course is that it provides students with a range of proficiencies acquired during training that may not be attained as candidate legal practitioners during their period of service under a PVT contract (articles).

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Course Details

The programme comprises no less than 400 notional hours and is to be covered within a period of four months. Courses are offered during the day (Day School) or after hours (Night School) to accommodate students who are employed/candidates in PVT contracts during the day.

Medium of instruction is English, and the curriculum consists of modules specified as per the Legal Practitioners Act.

Moot courts and practical work create the basis of training events, where candidates exchange pleadings and draft essential court documents in action and application proceedings.

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Curriculum

CVK-LS’ PVT course is based on experiential education defined as ‘notional hours’. The PVT curriculum consists of modules specified as per the Legal Practice Act 

Regulations 6 and 7 of the LPA are for candidates aiming to register as attorneys and/or advocates, respectively. The subject matter encompassed in Regulation 6 will be covered, whilst Regulation 7 will be generally covered.

Candidates are expected to do independent self-study, where applicable, due to extreme time constraints.

Modules listed below:

• Constitutional Practice;

• Professional Legal Ethics;

• Personal Injury Claims;

• High Court Practice;

• Magistrate’s Court Practice;

• Criminal Court Practice;

• Labour Dispute Resolution;

• Alternative Dispute Resolution;

• Attorneys’ Bookkeeping;

• Wills and Estates;

• Matrimonial Law;

• Legal Costs;

• Drafting of Contracts;

• Information and Communication Technology for Practice, and Associated Aspects of Cyber Law; and

• Introduction to Practice Management 

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Requirements for Admission and Selection

Candidates are expected to have knowledge of the substantive law prior to attending CVK Law School.

1. Consideration will be awarded to individuals who:

•        have obtained an LLB degree from a South African university ;

•        have obtained a South African BProc degree prior to 31 December 2004;

•        have completed a law degree in another country, which is recognised by SAQA as equivalent to the South African LLB degree.

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm accreditation by SAQA.

2. A selection committee will evaluate applications; thereby, applicants may be shortlisted and will be contacted directly for acceptance and admission.

3. Non-South African citizens must note the requirements of the LPC regarding admission to practice for non-SA citizens. *A study permit valid for the duration of training is to be attached to the application of non-citizens.

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