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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Legal Assistance 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
83527  Diploma in Legal Assistance 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification aims to develop theoretical competencies and practical skills for individuals to effectively operate as legal assistants. The qualification consists of formal theoretical knowledge and detailed procedural prescriptions. It will prepare learners for careers for both private practice as well as in the public sector. It aims to develop specific skills in applicable language, communication, organising and computing. With a continuous work integrated learning component, learners will be well prepared to enter the labour market. The intended purpose of this qualification is to give the successful student a professional, vocational and sound understanding of the general theoretical principles and their applications in the field of Legal Assistance.

Rationale:
The qualification is designed for learners who endeavour to pursue a career in the legal sector and the qualification will satisfy the niche areas identified as gaps in industry and can be applied by people that plan to practice as paralegals. The learners will be able to provide a legal support service to attorneys and/or advocates in private practice, render service in Legal Aid Departments by giving legal advice and support to clients, work in Police Departments by taking down witness statements and provide support in the Justice Department and the Court system to provide professional and effective service to the public. The qualification specialises in legal assistance and will fill a gap in the learning pathway for people wishing to provide legal assistance in legal aid centres, the department of justice, police departments and in the private legal practice environment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The institution has appropriate policies and procedures for Recognition of Prior Learning(RPL) including the identification, documentation, assessment, evaluation and transcription of prior learning against specified learning outcomes. Recognition of Prior Learning(RPL) can be used:
  • By learners who do not meet the entry requirements to gain admission to the qualification.
  • To receive credits towards the qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum requirement is:
  • National Senior Certificate National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling at 396 Credits.
    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 135 Credits:
  • Legal History, 9 Credits.
  • Introduction to the Theory of Law (Labour), 8 Credits.
  • Information and Communications Technology(ICT) Skills 1, 10 Credits.
  • Language and Life Skills, 9 Credits.
  • Information and Communications Technology(ICT) Skills for Legal Assistance, 6 Credits.
  • Work Integrated Learning 1.2 (Legal), 10 Credits.
  • Legal Profession 1.2, 15 Credits.
  • Mercantile Law 1.2, 15 Credits.
  • Mercantile Law 1.1, 15 Credits.
  • Work Integrated Learning 1.1 (Legal), 10 Credits.
  • Legal Profession 1.1, 15 Credits.
  • Human Rights Law, 9 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 189 Credits:
  • Law of Contract, 9 Credits.
  • Work Integrated Learning 2.2 (Legal), 10 Credits.
  • Legal Profession 2.2, 15 Credits.
  • Work Integrated Learning 2.1 (Legal), 10 Credits.
  • Law of Evidence, 8 Credits.
  • Criminal Law 1.1, 9 Credits.
  • Legal Profession 2.1, 15 Credits.
  • Law of Succession, 9 Credits.
  • Criminal Law 1.2, 9 Credits.
  • Mercantile Law 2.2, 15 Credits.
  • Mercantile Law 2.1, 15 Credits.
  • Law of Criminal Procedure, 9 Credits.
  • Law of Persons, 9 Credits.
  • Family Law, 9 Credits.
  • Law of Civil Procedure, 9 Credits.
  • Interpretation of Statutes, 9 Credits.
  • Work Integrated Learning 3.1 (Legal), 10 Credits.
  • Work Integrated Learning 3.2 (Legal), 10 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 75 Credits:
  • Legal Profession 3.1, 15 Credits.
  • Mercantile Law 3.2, 15 Credits.
  • Mercantile Law 3.1, 15 Credits.
  • Legal Profession 3.2, 15 Credits.
  • Mercantile Law 3.3, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Provide a legal support service to attorneys and/or advocates in private practice.
    2. Render service in Legal Aid Departments by giving legal advice and support to clients.
    3. Work in Police Departments by taking down witness statements.
    4. Provide support in the Justice Department and the court system.
    5. Provide professional and effective service to the public. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Collect, collate, interpret and report on information related to legal practice and legal problems as they present in practice.
  • Identify and select information relating to legal precedent on specific legal problems.
  • Use technology in appropriate contexts to access, process and store information as well as to retrieve and apply information.
  • Compile and organise court files in preparation for trial.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply appropriate legal principles to real life case studies or interviews with clients.
  • Select correct strategies to advise and assist legal clients.
  • Research and analyse legal principles and compare findings to legal problems of the client.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Interpret and analyse information specifically relevant to the taking down of witness statements.
  • Use technology in appropriate contexts to process, store, distribute and retrieve information.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Identify, select and research information relating to legal precedent on specific legal problems.
  • Discuss and present information in appropriate ways, using appropriate technology.
  • Design and guide the implementation of procedures and systems to retrieve and store information.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Select correct strategies to advise and assist legal clients.
  • Formulate and present well researched arguments based on legal principles.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Both formative and summative assessments are integral components of all modules within the qualification and have application to both traditional summative and continuous assessment, ensuring overall applied competence. All teaching and learning activities in the qualification are aligned to the assessment approach of the individual modules indicating a constructive alignment approach in the design of the qualification. The assessment activities form an integral part of the teaching and learning process and are systematically and purposefully used to generate data for grading. Timely feedback to learners' forms part of the assessment strategy of the institution and is used to inform teaching and learning and to improve the curriculum. Learning outcomes in all modules give an indication as to what will be assessed in the module and thus ensures constructive alignment of the modules within the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    An in-depth comparison with other countries internationally is not fully applicable as the South African Law is specifically developed for South Africa and differs from that of other countries. However, a comparison can be made of other 'legal assistance' level qualifications in both the United Kingdom and the United States of America, where similar courses are offered.

    In the United States of America, courses differ from a two year course to a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies. Similar courses to this one are offered by the Paralegal Institute and the National Paralegal College in the United States of America. They offer a certificate course as well as a bachelor degree qualification.

    In the United Kingdom several diplomas in paralegal studies are offered, with content and format similar to that of this qualification in Legal assistance. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification articulates horizontally with:
  • Diploma in Labour Law, Level 6.
  • Diploma in Paralegal Studies, Level 6.

    The Qualification articulates vertically with:
  • Bachelor of Laws, Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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.
     
    1. Vaal University of Technology 


    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.