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Occupational Certificate: Paralegal
NQF Level: NQF Level 05
Minimum Credits: 330
Entry Requirements:
NQF Level 4 qualification.
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Paralegal. A Paralegal practitioner consults, refers, advises and communicates with clients within the paralegal context and performs administrative services to communities within the legal framework.
A qualified learner will be able to:
- Execute administrative functions within the paralegal context.
- Conduct basic research on precedents, cases, Acts and related matters.
- Facilitate understanding between or amongst clients or on behalf of the client.
- Consult on behalf of the client with external stakeholders.
- Analyse and write documents within the paralegal ambit.
Rationale:
The South African Constitution compels South Africans through legal institutions to ensure access to justice. Moreover, this strengthens the culture of human rights. In addition to this, the Legal Practice Act seeks to recognise the role played by Paralegals in the entire legal value chain. Therefore, with the country that has geographically dispersed communities, access to legal services and justice is undermined in underprivileged, rural areas and those who cannot afford it. The availability of qualified and competent Paralegals to underprivileged, rural areas for and those who cannot afford legal aid, will ensure access to justice as well as education on the rights of communities. Paralegals ensure efficiency in operations in their respective organisations.
Furthermore, during the implementation process of the currently registered Paralegal Practice qualification, it was found that there were gaps in relation to competencies to be demonstrated by a qualified learner in meeting expectations of the legal sector.
The Safety and Security Sector and Education Authority (SASSETA) together with stakeholders within the legal industry initiated the process of realigning the currently registered National Certificate: Paralegal Practice in accordance with the requirements of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) model of developing occupationally based qualifications. Stakeholders that participated in the realignment process included amongst others: Justice College, SA Law School, Bokamoso Institute of South Africa, Dobsonville Human Rights Advice Centre, Midrand Training Academy, Law Society of South Africa, to name but a few.
This qualification is aimed at school leavers, employees and qualified learners who would like to pursue a career in Paralegal practice. Qualified learners are likely to practice as Paralegals in organisations such as Non-Governmental Organisations, Governmental Organisations, community based paralegal advice offices, public institutions, commercial institutions as well as private legal practices across the entire country.
This qualification will provide a career path for those qualifying learners intending to further their studies in all sectors of the paralegal or legal profession. This can be done by enrolling in higher-level qualifications such as the Diploma in Paralegal Studies, NQF Level 6 or the Diploma: Legal Interpreting, NQF Level 6, etc. Qualified learners may also pursue entrepreneurial opportunities as allowed or permitted by law.
The qualification will benefit both the community and the country at large because qualified Paralegals will ensure access to justice by providing support services to communities as well as organisations where they are employed. Paralegals play an important role in empowering the community in issues related to human rights and dispute resolution.
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES
- Execute administrative functions within the paralegal context.
- Conduct basic research on precedents, cases, acts and related matters.
- Facilitate understanding between or amongst clients or on behalf of the client.
- Consult on behalf of the client with external stakeholders.
- Analyse and write documents within the paralegal scope.
ARTICULATION OPTIONS
This qualification provides opportunities for both horizontal and vertical articulation
- Horizontal Articulation:
Higher Certificate in Paralegal Studies, NQF Level 5. - Vertical Articulation:
Diploma in Paralegal Studies, NQF Level 6.