Senior Counsel Salary in South Africa in 2024 (2024)

R797,500

/ year

Avg. Base

Salary

(

ZAR

)

10%

ZAR10k

MEDIAN

ZAR798k

90%

ZAR2m

The average salary for a Senior Counsel is R797,500 in 2024

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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Senior Counsels?

A mid-career Senior Counsel with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of R730,000 based on 8 salaries. An experienced Senior Counsel with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R1,100,000 based on 5 salaries.

What Do Senior Counsels Do?

A senior counsel is responsible for handling various legal matters inside a law firm or, in some cases, in businesses. Their specific tasks may vary depending on the needs of their organization and their specialty. Generally, they must be able to apply complex legal strategy to the specific needs and requirements of their clients and/or organization. They may also mentor other attorneys and work extensively with internal teams on their needs. Other tasks completed by the senior counsel might …Read more

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Common Health Benefits for a Senior Counsel

Medical

13

%

Dental

13

%

Vision

13

%

None

88

%

Gender Breakdown for Senior Counsels

Female

75.0

%

Male

25.0

%

This data is based on

4

survey responses. Learn more about

the gender pay gap.

Senior Counsel Salary in South Africa in 2024 (1)

FAQs About Senior Counsels

What is the highest pay for Senior Counsels?

Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Senior Counsel is ZAR2m / year

What is the lowest pay for Senior Counsels?

Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Senior Counsel is ZAR10k / year

How can Senior Counsels increase their salary?

Increasing your pay as a Senior Counsel is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Senior Counsel that oversees more junior Senior Counsels, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.

Senior Counsel Salary in South Africa in 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is the highest paid type of lawyer in South Africa? ›

Senior Advocate/Counsel: Often recognised as the apex of the legal profession, Senior Advocates (or Senior Counsel) tend to command some of the highest salaries in the legal field. They offer specialised advice to clients and represent them in the high courts, courts of appeal, and the Constitutional Court.

How much does a senior advocate earn in South Africa? ›

Advocate vs Attorney Salary in South Africa
Career StageAttorney Salary (Per Month)Advocate Salary (Per Annum)
Mid-CareerR40,000 – R100,000Variable, often higher
Senior/PartnerOver R200,000R500,000 to several million
Specialization ImpactHigh demand areas command higher feesDepends on case type and success
1 more row
Mar 7, 2024

What is senior counsel in South Africa? ›

Senior counsel carries the post-nominals of 'SC' and are also referred to as 'Silks' on account of the fabric of their very expensive gowns. Silks are appointed by the President of the Republic of South Africa after recommendations made by the silk committees of the various Bars. Field of interest. Administrative Law.

How much do LLB lawyers earn in South Africa? ›

How much do LLB lawyers earn in South Africa? The salary of an LLB lawyer in South Africa ranges from R400 000.00 to R850 000.00 per annual salary or R33 333.33 to R70 833.33 per month, depending on the experience and location of the lawyer.

Are lawyers well paid in South Africa? ›

The legal profession in South Africa offers one of the highest-paying and most lucrative careers in the country, with many legacy and emerging fields requiring highly skilled individuals to make sure affairs are in order.

Do lawyers make good money in South Africa? ›

While this is not cast in stone, a “beginner lawyer'' in South Africa may earn in the range of R500,000 to R700,000 a year in formal employment. The amount for those in self employment or who own their own practices is not defined. BusinessTech. (2022).

How much is senior counsel in South Africa? ›

The hourly rates for practitioners (excluding VAT) are as follows: Senior Counsel: R3 000.00 – R4 400.00; Junior Counsel: R700. 00 – R1 700.00; Candidate Attorney: R1 000.00; Junior Attorney: R1 800.00; Senior Attorney: R2 800.00.

How do I become a senior counsel in South Africa? ›

That appointment is done by way of a Letter Patent, personally signed by the President, and entitles the senior advocate to write the letters "SC" (the abbreviation for Senior Counsel) after his or her name. All other advocates are known as junior advocates.

What is the highest salary for senior advocates? ›

Highest Paid Lawyer in India [2024 Updated]
  • Fali Sam Nariman. Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. ...
  • Harish Salve. Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. ...
  • Gopal Subramanium. Rs. 5.5 lakh to Rs. ...
  • K. Parasaran. Rs. ...
  • Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Rs. 6 lakh to Rs 11 lakh.
  • K. K. Venugopal. Rs. 7 lakh to 10 lakh.
  • Palaniappan Chidambaram. Rs. 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
  • Mukul Rohatgi. Rs.

Who appoints Senior Counsel in South Africa? ›

2.2 A Senior Attorney or Senior Counsel honour, as the case may be, is a high honour conferred on a legal practitioner by the President of the Republic of South Africa.

Is Senior Counsel the same as general counsel? ›

While law departments don't all follow the same pattern, you typically see title along the lines of: Corporate counsel (senior associate/junior partner) Senior counsel (10+ years out, but not in a specific leadership role) Associate general counsel (the equivalent of a senior partner or team or practice group leader) ...

Is law in demand in South Africa? ›

At the outset, we can say even a cursory glance at the news media that there is a consistent and vigorous demand for legal professionals in South Africa.

How much do LLM lawyers earn in South Africa? ›

Here's how much money lawyers earn in South Africa
Private Practice2022 annual salary range
Newly QualifiedR580 000 – R650 000
PartnerR1 400 000 – R2 200 000
Senior AssociateR850 000 – R1 400 000
Senior PartnerR2 000 000 – R3 500 000
1 more row
Jan 6, 2022

Which LLB has highest salary? ›

LLB Jobs
Job ProfileAverage Salary (INR)
Advocate7 – 10 LPA
Litigator3.5 LPA
Private Practice9 – 15 LPA
Corporate Lawyer7 LPA
3 more rows

Is an LLB degree worth it in South Africa? ›

Choosing law as a career can be rewarding and exciting but it also requires hard work, dedication and a high level of commitment. The legal industry in South Africa is exceptionally competitive and there are many different career paths to choose from.

What type of lawyer gets you the most money? ›

As of 2024, the top five highest paid types of lawyers are:
  • Patent Attorneys.
  • Intellectual property (IP) Attorneys.
  • Trial Lawyers.
  • Tax Attorneys.
  • Corporate Lawyers.
Feb 19, 2024

What type of law is most in demand? ›

Some of the most universally in-demand legal specialties include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law. Other quickly growing areas of law also include intellectual property law, data privacy and cybersecurity law, litigation, and labor and employment law.

Which law degree is in demand in South Africa? ›

The LLB degree is without doubt much in demand, but the Regenesys LLB degree will set its graduates apart, preparing hem to change South Africa, the continent, and the world! NOW READ: How much do beginner lawyers make in South Africa?

Is a law degree worth it in South Africa? ›

Choosing law as a career can be rewarding and exciting but it also requires hard work, dedication and a high level of commitment. The legal industry in South Africa is exceptionally competitive and there are many different career paths to choose from.

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