SA Attorneys concerned about quality of LLB Degree

Gerhard Joubert, Head of Group Marketing and Stakeholder Relations at PPS

Attorneys in South Africa are concerned that the current LLB law degree does not sufficiently prepare young graduates who are entering the legal profession, according to a survey conducted by PPS.

The survey of almost 500 attorneys revealed that only 31% of respondents believe that the LLB sufficiently prepares prospective practitioners to enter and succeed in the attorney’s profession. Furthermore, the survey showed a confidence level of just 50% in the standard of general education improving over the next five years.

According to Gerhard Joubert, Head of Group Marketing and Stakeholder Relations at PPS, the financial services provider focused on graduate professionals, these results are very concerning. “The fact that this survey indicates a serious concern among attorneys that new entrants are not fully prepared to carry out their duties is a very significant finding and one that needs to be urgently addressed.”

A further finding from the survey also revealed that only 44% of respondents believe that high ethical standards are maintained and that the attorneys’ profession is regarded as an ethical, professional and noble one. “The attorney profession is hugely important, as it plays a critical role in our democracy, so it is crucial to assess the concerns of these professionals and to ascertain how these concerns can be rectified.”

He says these findings reflect the fact that according to the survey, only 44% of attorneys would encourage their children to enter their profession. Optimism in the future of their profession over the next five years scored positively, however, with a confidence level of 77%.

Attorneys also remained concerned about a number of issues regarding their personal finances, with a confidence level that they have saved enough to retire of only 59%. Further, only 8% said they believe tax incentives by the government are enough to encourage South Africans to save, while 66% said compulsory preservation is necessary to enforce South Africans to save.

Joubert says attorneys are, however, reasonably positive on a number of economic factors with confidence in the economic outlook for South Africa over the next 12 months of 64%, while confidence in the outlook for equity markets over the 12 months of 65%.

Other findings from the survey revealed concern about the future of the healthcare system in South Africa over the next five years with a confidence level of just 44%. 49% of respondents said they supported the principle behind NHI, though only 21% said they believed that NHI was the solution to fixing the country’s ailing health system.

“This survey has revealed some very real concerns among attorneys, specifically about the quality of education and preparation of students into the profession. It is crucial that these concerns are addressed to ensure that future new entrants are given the support and training that they need to succeed in their profession,” concludes Joubert.

Other results from the survey

· Confidence about the future of their profession over the next five years was 77%

· Confidence in their ability to earn an income that keeps up with inflation was 69%

· Confidence that they will remain in South Africa for the foreseeable future was 82%

· Confidence that crime rates in South Africa will improve over the next five years was 44%

· Confidence that unemployment in South Africa will improve over the next five years was 43%