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All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |
| SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
| REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: |
| Occupational Certificate: Family Law Practitioner |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 119432 | Occupational Certificate: Family Law Practitioner | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner-SASSETA | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| - | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Occupational Certificate | Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security | Justice in Society | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 205 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 05 | Regular-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | EXCO 0522/24 | 2022-08-04 | 2025-12-31 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2026-12-31 | 2029-12-31 | |||
| In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise. |
This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Family Law Practitioner. A Family Law Practitioner consults with clients, performs basic mediation, conducts basic research, and performs administrative functions within family law context. A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: Changes in legislation relating to family law and practice developments necessitated the need to develop a new qualification. The currently registered qualification is out of sync with industrial developments and skills required to effectively render services related to family law matters. There are currently no registered occupational qualifications that provide learners with knowledge and skills that enable them to practice as family law practitioners and deal with changes brought about by new legislation. The Family Law Practitioner is obliged to provide administrative, legal assistance and support to the public, organisations, and other related institutions in the family law sector. This qualification provides learners with knowledge and skills required to meet the latest developments in family law practices. These family law developments and practices refer to a combination of tasks and responsibilities relating to maintenance, domestic violence, divorce, marriage, mediation, and children's court matters in various family law related institutions and organisations in South Africa. During the development of this qualification, state organisations, private institutions, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were invited to participate in this process. Organisations that participated included amongst others, the following: SA Law School, Law Society of South Africa (LSSA), Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD), HRD National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Institute for Legal Practice (ILPDR), Law for all, Institute for Professional legal Training, Justice College, Dobsonville Human Right Centre, Engile Security Services, Thutong Learning College, Bokamoso Institute, South African School of Paralegal Studies, Imbokodo Restorative Justice ,WZ Events, New Horizon, National Department of Social Development, Crane International Academy and Centre for Community Justice Development. This qualification is aimed at individuals who qualify and are currently practising as Family Law Practitioners but have not acquired a formal qualification and any other party interested in serving society in the capacity as a Family Law Practitioner. Qualified learners will have mobility through various areas of specialisation such as mediator within family law practice, family law administrator, family counsellor. Advanced career mobility can be pursued through careers such as private Legal Practioners, State Legal Practitioners and academia in the family law sector. This qualification will equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to work with a range of family law-related matters in public, private and other related sectors. This qualification will result in qualified, skilled and competent Family Law Practitioners in South Africa bringing social and economic benefits through provision of more effective and informed advice and assistance with family law problems. Society will benefit by receiving improved services through access, awareness, empowerment offered by qualified Family Law Practitioners, thus contributing positively to building the economy at large. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or by certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:
Knowledge Modules Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 105 Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 55. Level 4, 5 Credits. Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 45 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Facilitate consultative processes aimed at resolving clients' family related problems.
2. Perform basic mediation activities to resolve family related disputes between or among clients. 3. Conduct basic research to gather information related to the matter as presented by the client. 4. Perform administrative functions within the scope of a Family Law Practitioner. 5. Coordinate activities that are aimed at handling correspondences and attendance to the relevant legal documents. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Integrated Assessment: Integrated Formative Assessment The Skills Development Providers will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated External Summative Assessment. Integrated Summative Assessment An External Integrated Summative Assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required to issue this qualification. The External Integrated Summative Assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| International comparability has been done against qualifications offered in Ireland and Singapore. The choice of two countries were based on their formalised qualifications on Family Law Practitioner studies.
Ireland A qualification in Legal Studies, Level 5 with 120 credits was found on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications with the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) acting as the awarding body. The qualification is offered by a few training providers with the NCU Ltd and Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board being some of them. Entry into the qualification is a successful completion of a qualification at level 4. The purpose of this award is to provide learners with knowledge, skill and competence to work independently under supervision in a legal environment. This qualification is made up of two major modules which are compulsory and minor module that learners can choose from. Major modules are listed below as: For this comparison study, a list of minor modules that were found to be similar to content covered in the South African Family Law Practitioner's qualification is provided below: Each of these courses is pitched at level 5 with 15 credits each. Learners must choose modules from the list to earn the remainder of 60 credits. Information about the duration of the qualification could not be found. Similarities: Similarities have been noted with content covered. Differences: The South African Family Law qualification has a broader scope with all modules being compulsory whilst with the Irish Legal Studies qualification, only two courses, with a total credit value of 30, are compulsory. Learners are afforded an opportunity to choose minor course of their choice, to obtain the remainder of credits. A major difference when compared to the New Zealand qualification is that the Family Law qualification in South Africa targets social workers in communities, law students, and all persons who work or intend to work in the family law section of lower courts in South Africa. On the other hand, the Irish Legal Studies qualification is open to any learner who wish to pursue a career within the legal environment. Differences have also been noted with the structure and composition of the South African qualification. The South African Family Law Practitioner qualification is made up of knowledge modules, practical skills modules and work experience modules whilst the Irish Legal Studies qualification is made up of core modules and minor modules. Singapore: Singapore University of Social Sciences offers a Bachelor of Law over a period of four (4) years. This is aimed at working adults, allowing them to pursue lifelong learning and higher education while balancing career, family and social responsibilities. The primary focus of the University School of Law is to train and produce lawyers for the practice of law in Singapore particularly in the areas of Criminal Law and Family Law. Qualifying learners of the LLB qualifications are required to complete 180 credit units comprising: The target market in Singapore is not specified, however, admission requirements are stringent. To gain entry into the qualification, learners should meet requirements listed below: The study has also identified a variety of modules that cover competencies like those covered in the South African Family Law Practitioner qualification. Some of the modules are listed below: Similarities: Similarities have been noted with qualification content. Differences Differences have been found to be with regard to target learners, duration, credits, entry requirements as well as recognition of courses achieved. Differences have also been noted with the structure and layout of the South African qualification. The South African Family Law Practitioner qualification is made up of knowledge modules, practical skills modules and work experience modules whilst in Singapore, a variety of institutions offer law related qualifications to undergraduate through distance learning. With regards to Bachelor of Laws degree, this is offered over a period of 4 years whilst the South African qualification is offered over 2 years. Conclusion The South African Family Law Practitioner qualification compares favourably with qualifications offered in other countries in terms of scope and area of practice. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| NOTES |
| Qualifying for External Assessment:
In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience including Foundational Learning Competences. Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements: Criteria for the accreditation of providers Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website. The curriculum title and code are: Family Law Practitioner: 261904-001-00-00. Encompassed Trade(s): This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) |
| LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| NONE |
| PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here. |
| NONE |
| All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |