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Pupillage Training Programme
Where advocates are made, not merely called.
A twelve-month, full-time formation in advocacy, including practical vocational training, built on daily coursework, six practical litigation workshops, and the added advantage of being allocated a dedicated mentor and coach for every pupil.
2027
Intake Now Closed
Note: Applications for pupillage open annually between May and July of the year preceding the intake.
12Months, full-time
400Notional coursework hours
40Advanced advocacy hours
6Practical litigation workshops
2Individualised support: mentor + coach
Why the Pretoria Bar
Unlock your potential to become the best advocate you can be.
Pupillage at the Pretoria Bar reflects our commitment to thorough training: substantial practical work, daily supervision from trainers and lecturers, and a Society wholeheartedly invested in nurturing every pupil's potential, from mentor to lecturer to the Bar as a whole.
01
Mentor and coach in your corner
Every pupil is assigned both a mentor, experienced counsel guiding your development, and a coach, who supports you day to day with drafting, exam preparation, and the practical hurdles of pupillage. What sets the Pretoria Bar apart is not just training, it is a structured system of support built around you.
02
Litigation training you cannot get from a textbook
Six intensive workshops, led by our method-trainers, give you a realistic approach to practical litigation skills, empowering you before you stand up in court for a paying client:
- Divorce Workshop
- Criminal Litigation Workshop
- Motions Workshop
- Civil Litigation Workshop
- Appeals Workshop
- Legal Writing Workshop
03
Formally recognised, not informally assembled
Our advanced trial advocacy training (40 hours) is recognised in terms of section 25 and rule 30 of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 (as amended), and accredited by the General Council of the Bar of South Africa. Training is delivered through daily lectures by experienced advocates, in a structured programme spanning juniors, senior-juniors and senior advocates.
Pupillage at the Pretoria Bar
Pupillage is the final, formal stage of training before you may practise as an advocate. At the Pretoria Bar, it is a demanding, full-time, twelve-month programme, run from January to December, built to leave no gap between your last day of pupillage and your first day in court.
Fully accredited, top to bottom
- The Pretoria Society of Advocates is accredited by the Legal Practice Council under the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 (as amended).
- The Pretoria Bar is an affiliated Bar of the General Council of the Bar (GCB), itself accredited by the LPC.
- Our advanced trial advocacy training is separately recognised under section 25 and rule 30 of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 (as amended).
What full-time really means
Pupillage is intensive, even for pupils with prior legal experience. You will attend chambers and actively assist in ongoing matters during court and business hours, and after hours, attend lectures and workshops (some on weekends), and complete weekly exercises and advocacy preparation outside chamber time. Pupillage is not for everyone: it is for those with a deep passion for the law and the drive to realise their full potential as an advocate.
At a glance
- Duration: 12 months, January–December
- Commitment: Full-time, no outside practice
- Coursework: 400 notional hours, daily lectures
- Advocacy training: 40 hours, 6 workshops
- Support: Mentors, coaches, trainers and lecturers, supported by the wider Pretoria Bar
- Qualifies you for: National Bar Examination Board exam & PSA membership
Three components run in parallel throughout the year:
- Structured coursework
- Hands-on advocacy training
- Real practice alongside your mentor
Coursework & national examinations
A series of lectures and written exercises leading to the nationally organised examinations: 400 notional hours in total, delivered through daily lectures by our experienced advocates. This gives you the legal procedure, ethics and legal-writing grounding you will need to draft court documents, opinions, memoranda and advice on evidence.
Advanced trial advocacy training: six workshops
40 hours of specialised, practical training on how to conduct yourself in court, lead and cross-examine witnesses, and make oral submissions at first instance and on appeal.
01
Divorce Workshop
02
Criminal Litigation Workshop
03
Motions Workshop
04
Civil Litigation Workshop
05
Appeals Workshop
06
Legal Writing Workshop
Real practice, from day one
You will accompany your mentor, and, with permission, other practising advocates, drafting legal documents, discussing litigation strategy, sitting in on consultations with attorneys and clients, and going to court. In time, and once admitted and enrolled, your mentor may allow you to stand up and make submissions under supervision.
Your Mentor
Experienced counsel, guiding your practice
A full-time practising advocate who shapes your development as an advocate and gives you a front-row seat to real litigation.
Your Coach
Support for the day-to-day
Works alongside you on drafting, exam preparation, and the practical hurdles of pupillage, so nothing falls through the cracks.
Before you apply
You must have already been awarded your LLB degree. Final-year LLB students may not apply, and this includes members of other Bars.
Applications are not accepted by email, fax, courier or post. They must be delivered personally, in hard copy, by the applicant, and not by any other person on the applicant's behalf.
Read Part A of the application form in full: it sets out every required annexure.
The selection process
1
Submit
Complete & deliver your application
Submit Parts A, B and C, initialled on every page, with all required annexures, delivered personally in hard copy before the closing deadline.
2
August
Entrance examination
A handwritten aptitude examination, written on the first Saturday in August, covering Civil Procedure, Criminal Law & Procedure, and the Law of Evidence. Venue and time is available in the application form.
3
By invitation
Interview
Shortlisted applicants are invited to interview, an important part of the assessment. Date, time and venue are communicated after the entrance exam.
4
Outcome
Notification
You will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible after the process concludes. We would ask that you hold off contacting the PSA to follow up in the meantime.
Deliver your application to
The Administrative OfficerSteven House, Ground Floor
Brooklyn Bridge Office Park
Brooklyn, Pretoria, Gauteng
Disclaimer
The Pretoria Society of Advocates is a voluntary society. The PSA reserves the right to refuse any application without providing reasons, and no correspondence, whether by email or in person, will be entered into regarding such a decision.
2027 Fees
As a contribution to the cost of training and administering the programme, each pupil pays a training fee of R7,500 in two instalments.
| When | What | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Before submitting your application | Non-refundable registration deposit | R500 |
| Last business day of November, if accepted | Balance of training fee | R7,000 |
Total training feeR7,500
Good to know
- Payment is made by EFT, referenced with your initial, surname and "Pupillage" (e.g. J Moloi/Pupillage).
- Full banking details are included in the application form.
- Non-compliance with payment deadlines will cause an offer to lapse, and the place will be offered to another applicant.
- Pupillage is financially demanding. You will need to be able to support yourself for the full year, separate from the training fee.
Can I apply if I am still completing my LLB?
No. You must have already graduated and received your LLB degree at the time of applying. Final-year LLB students, and applications without an attached LLB degree, will not be considered.
Can I submit my application by email or courier?
No. Applications are only considered if delivered personally, in hard copy, by the applicant to the Administrative Officer's office, not by fax, email, courier or post.
Does a complete, on-time application guarantee a place?
No. If applications exceed available places, some will unfortunately be declined. Selection considers LLB results and academic achievement, relevant experience, aptitude and motivation, alongside nationality, race, sex and disability status, in the PSA's discretion.
What happens if my contact details change during the process or during pupillage?
You must immediately notify the Administrative Officer of any change to your address, phone number or email, both during the application process and throughout your year of pupillage.
Will I be paid during pupillage?
Pupillage is a training programme, not paid employment, and is financially demanding. You will need to have or secure sufficient funds to maintain yourself for the full year, in addition to the training fee.
What must I bring or attach to my application?
A recent passport photograph, your signed Part C declaration, certified copies of your ID, degree certificate(s) and full academic record, testimonials, proof of the R500 deposit, and, where applicable, police clearance and admission documents. Part A of the application form lists every requirement in full.
Gallery
Life at the Pretoria BarA look at chambers, workshops and the pupils who have come through the programme.
2026
Court Attendance
2026
Workshops
2026
Pupil Life
2026
Pupils' Admissions
2026
Pupil Welcoming Function