Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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When I was at University, in order to become an attorney, you first had to get another degree, and then go on and study your law degree or LLB. In order to accommodate people, and particularly bearing in mind the shortage of attorneys from the previously disadvantaged community, the government made the decision that going forward one would be able to do just one degree, namely the four year LLB degree. I think that that was probably the best decision, although it did mean that straightaway a whole new generation of attorneys would have only one degree whereas two degrees had been common. I cannot say that my first degree taught me anything else about law, but I do think it gave me a better overall education, and it is sad, in the interest of getting more people into the profession, that today’s attorneys miss out on that.
A Judge recently said that while he also could not criticise the motive from then reducing the length of the LLB to 4 years in 1998, which was previously 5 years, but felt that the decision was now hampering graduates. He said that it was optimistic to believe that matriculants could be efficiently equipped to enter the legal profession within fours years by just doing a four year LLB degree. His criticism of most of the new attorneys was that many of the new graduates lack communication skills and a basic understanding of the legal process and how to handle a case.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 13-Aug-12
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Comments
Kaylene said:
on Friday 17-Aug-12 04:15 PM
That's sad wow, imagine all that time waisted
Tans said:
on Tuesday 14-Aug-12 10:42 PM
Although I have benefited from this change, I agree it has hampered and hurt students. I believe older attorneys who did a BA, BProc, or BComm definitely got a more rounded education. After all, anyone can learn rules, cases, and statutes. But learning writing skills and various other non-law subjects definitely adds much to a student. Many life skills are learnt from 18 to 21, a time when students used to do their first degree. Nowadays law students are expected to learn subjects like tax or negotiable instruments when they may never have even written a cheque or filed a tax return in their lives. I agree with Nicole - law is a lot more than regurgitating rules and trying to earn a quick buck.
Thabitha said:
on Monday 13-Aug-12 03:45 PM
This is sad four years waisted on something you don't know or understand and I also think the interest of getting more people into the profession is to make money.
Cherise said:
on Monday 13-Aug-12 03:11 PM
I would have to agree as there is so much understanding, theory , laws , acts etc that need to be understood never mind thepractical part of it all. four years therefore seems like nothing to learn and masters these skills and knowledge.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
