Legal Secretary Courses

Legal Secretary NATED courses are created by the DHET to provide students with skills and knowledge that gives them opportunities to find employment.

Our Legal Secretary Courses

NATED Legal Secretary

Legal Secretary: NATED N4 National Certificate

Legal Secretary N4 is the the introductory course for you to pursue a career in a a law environment. It is the first of the ...
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NATED Legal Secretary

Legal Secretary: NATED N5 National Certificate

This N5 Legal Secretary course is the second step in achieving your Legal Secretary qualification. Enrol with us for our Legal Secretary course today.
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NATED Legal Secretary

Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Certificate

The Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Certificate course gives you the opportunity to start an exciting career working as a Legal Secretary in a Law ...
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NATED Legal Secretary

Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma

The Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma course gives you the work experience required to become a successful Legal Secretary in a reputable Law Firm.
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The NATED Legal Secretary courses are created by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The purpose of these courses being designed is to reduce the unemployment gap in South Africa. There are many people, especially young people, who are unemployed. 

The DHET looked at components that can help young people gain employment, and this is how they created NATED courses. 

These courses focus on both practical skills and knowledge. You gain both components and when you look for employment, employers have a higher chance of hiring you because you have what they are looking for. 

The reason why employers value skills and knowledge is because of the following: 

  • Skills can be used to advance the company 
  • Skills can lead to more skills 
  • Skills can be improved and made expertise
  • Knowledge gives common sense 
  • Knowledge helps one make wise decisions
  • Knowledge helps one learn fast 
  • Knowledge helps one create brilliant ideas

What Are Legal Secretary Courses?

Legal Secretary courses fall under the NATED Programme at Matric College. These courses prepare you for employment. They equip you with knowledge and skills that are valued by employers. This automatically increases your chances to find employment in South Africa.

NATED Legal Secretary Courses

Legal Secretary NATED N4 National Certificate

SAQA ID: 66880
Course Credits: 60
NQF Level: Level 5
Qualification Title: Legal Secretary NATED N4 National Certificate
Qualification Type: National N Certificate
Course Duration: 6 to 12 months

Entry Requirements

  • Must have a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate)
  • Be able to read, write and understand
  • Be at least 16 or older
  • Be able to study through distance learning

Course Subjects

Compulsory Subjects

  • Office Practice N4
  • Communication N4
  • Mercantile Law N4
  • Information Processing N4

Legal Secretary NATED N5 National Certificate

SAQA ID: 66959
Course Credits: 60
NQF Level: Level 5
Qualification Title: Legal Secretary NATED N5 National Certificate 
Qualification Type: National N Certificate
Course Duration: 6 to 12 months

Entry Requirements

  • You must have a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate)
  • Must have completed the Legal Secretary NATED N4 National Certificate
  • Be at least 16 or older
  • Be able to read, write and understand
  • Be able to study through distance learning

Course Subjects

Compulsory subjects:

  • Information Processing N5
  • Office Practice N5
  • Legal Practice N5
  • Communication N5

Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Certificate

SAQA ID: 67004
Course Credits: 60
NQF Level: Level 5
Qualification Title: Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Certificate 
Qualification Type: National N Certificate
Course Duration: 6 to 12 months

Entry Requirements

Course Subjects

Compulsory Subjects

  • Information Processing N6
  • Legal Practice N6
  • Office Practice N6
  • Mercantile Law N5

Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma

SAQA ID: 67035
Course Credits: 360
NQF Level: Level 6
Qualification Title: Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma
Qualification Type: National N Diploma
Course Duration: 18  months

Entry Requirements

NATED Legal Secretary
  • Professional communication 
  • How to handle office procedures 
  • Writing reports 
  • Deal with customers professionally 
  • Basic legal principles
  • Legal concepts 
  • Process information in detail 
  • Understanding of complex information

These are the requirements you must meet to study the NATED Legal Secretary courses at Matric College: 

  • Must have a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate)
  • Be able to read, write and understand 
  • Be at least 16 or older 
  • Be able to study through distance learning

No, you cannot study the NATED Legal Secretary courses without a Matric Certificate. However, there is a way for you to get a Matric Certificate through us and then study the NATED Legal Secretary courses. You can apply for the Adult Matric course. 

This is a course that you can do and then receive a Matric Certificate when you complete it. The Matric Certificate you receive is issued by Umalusi. This is the same as the Matric Certificate received in high school. Below is a list of the Adult Matric requirements: 

  • You passed Grade 9 and have proof of your report OR
  • You completed a Grade 9 equivalent course (i.e. an ABET Certificate) that included two official language subjects
  • You are 21 or older when you write your exams
    • You can apply as early as the age of 19 and start studying
  • You can read, write and understand English or Afrikaans 
  • You are able to study via distance learning

No, the NATED Legal Secretary course does not require that you have maths as a subject. You are not expected to have any specific background knowledge. 

The college only requires that you have a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate) to study. 

Our courses will provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge you need to understand Legal work better. You will be qualified as a Legal Secretary professional.

It takes 18 to 36 months to complete the NATED Legal Secretary courses. This is because there are four (4) courses in the NATED Legal Secretary Programme, which are: 

This creates a total of about 18 to 36 months to complete the course.

There are four (4) NATED courses in one programme. These courses focus on skills and knowledge. Of the four (4) courses, three (3) consist of the theory component and one consists of a practical component.

Below is a table to show you the courses that consist of the theory component and the one that consists of the practical component:

NATED CoursesComponents
Legal Secretary NATED N4 National CertificateTheory component (Knowledge)
Legal Secretary NATED N5 National CertificateTheory component (Knowledge)
Legal Secretary NATED N6 National CertificateTheory component (Knowledge)
Legal Secretary NATED N6 National DiplomaPractical component (Work Experience/Skills)

The three National Certificates which consist of the theory component consist of assessments. These courses are:

There are three (3) assignments in each Certificate course in each subject. You must complete these assignments to pass the Certificate courses. There is also one final exam that is set by the DHET.

You are required to gain 50% or higher marks to pass the exam and the assignments. When you complete each course, you earn a Certificate Qualification. The college sends your final results to the DHET. When the DHET approves your results, they send your Certificate to the college, which sends it to you.

The last qualification is the NATED Legal Secretary N6 National Diploma, which consists of 18 months of work experience as an assessment. You must complete the work experience to earn your qualification. This is how you can complete your work experience:

  • Register on the iWIL website 
  • The iWIL website was developed by the Department of Higher Education and Training
  • The website is intended to help students find volunteer work where they can gain experience
  • Upon registration, you will be assigned a job at a company where you will complete your work experience
  • We will send you a logbook that you must complete throughout your work experience
  • We automatically send you a logbook; you do not need to request one
  • Logbooks must be signed off by the manager of the business overseeing your work experience
  • Please return the logbook to us, and we will send it to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) for approval
  • After the DHET has approved your logbook, they will send you your Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma

Below is a table to show you how the assessments for each NATED Legal Secretary course work:

Legal Secretary NATED N4 National Certificate3 open book assignments for each subjectOne final exam set by the DHET
Legal Secretary NATED N5 National Certificate3 open book assignments for each subjectOne final exam set by the DHET
Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Certificate3 open book assignments for each subjectOne final exam set by the DHET
Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma

There are no assignments

(only required to complete 18 months of work experience)

No final exam

The Legal Secretary NATED courses are studied uniquely. From the Four (4) courses, you can choose to study the entire courses or study some courses.

Keep in mind that the courses are built on each other. This means that you must first study the Legal Secretary NATED N4 National Certificate, and then you can study the Legal Secretary NATED N5 National Certificate until the last course in order.

Below is a table to show you how you can study the courses separately:

QualificationRequirements To StudyCourse DurationQualification AwardedReasons For Qualification Awarded
Legal Secretary NATED N4 National Certificate  ONLYMust have a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate) to studyStudy for 6 to 12 monthsGet awarded the Legal Secretary  NATED N4 National CertificateYou must complete 6 months of work experience to receive an N4 Certificate
Legal Secretary NATED N5 National Certificate ONLYMust have Legal Secretary NATED N4 National Certificate to studyStudy for 6 to 24 monthsGet awarded the Legal Secretary  NATED N5 National CertificateYou do not need to complete work experience to get an N5 Certificate
Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Certificate ONLYMust have a Legal Secretary  NATED N5 National Certificate to studyStudy for 6 to 36 monthsGet awarded the Legal Secretary  NATED N6 National CertificateYou do not need to complete work experience to get an N6 Certificate
Legal Secretary NATED N6 National DiplomaMust have a Matric Certificate, Legal Secretary  NATED N4 National Certificate, Legal Secretary  NATED N5 National Certificate, Legal Secretary  NATED N6 National Certificate and complete 18 months of work experienceComplete 18 months of work experienceGet awarded Legal Secretary NATED N6 National DiplomaMust complete 18 months of work experience and have a logbook approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training to get an N6 National Diploma

If you want to study the entire programme, you can do it this way:

  • You can study theory (Three Certificate courses) for 18 months and then complete 18 months of work experience afterwards
  • Study 18 months of theory (Three Certificate courses) while doing work experience at the company you work for 
  • Complete 6 months of theory and 6 months of work experience, then obtain the N4 certificate, then continue the process until you reach the NATED N6 National Diploma

Yes, the Legal Secretary course is a good course because of the following:

  • DHET and QCTO have accredited it
  • It is registered with SAQA 
  • It offers practical skills 
  • It offers knowledge 
  • It prepares you for employment 
  • It is recognised nationally

A Legal Secretary in South Africa is a professional who works with lawyers. Their role is to assist lawyers. Their role is similar to that of an assistant, but they focus on legal practises, such as preparing legal documents for the lawyers before court.

Yes, you need qualifications to become a Legal Secretary. You can study at Matric College for our NATED Legal Secretary courses and when you complete these courses, you will be awarded a Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma

You will be able to use this qualification to find employment. Employers will want to hire you because you are: 

  • Educated 
  • Have a diploma qualification 
  • Have an accredited qualification 
  • Have skills 
  • Finish what you start 
  • You are a hard worker

No, you do not need a Degree Qualification to work as a Legal Secretary. You can use a Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma Qualification from Matric College to find work.

You may want to become a Legal Secretary because you are interested in Legal practices. However, there should be more to why you want to become a Legal Secretary. You should have the following to become a Legal Secretary: 

  • Know how to keep information private 
  • Good communication 
  • Very organised 
  • Welcoming personality 
  • Good listener 
  • Interested in legal work 
  • Passionate about helping people 
  • Love to see the law complied with

You become a Legal Secretary by doing the following: 

  • Apply at Matric college for the Legal Secretary NATED courses
  • Study the NATED Legal Secretary N4, N5 and N6 National Certificate courses 
  • Study hard for the assignments 
  • Pass with 50% or higher marks 
  • Earn your N4, N5 and N6 Legal Secretary Certificate Qualifications 
  • Complete the 18 months work experience 
  • Gain a Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma Qualification

These are the duties of a Legal Secretary: 

  • Scheduling meetings with clients 
  • Researching on cases 
  • Gathering evidence for court cases 
  • Answering calls and emails 
  • Preparing documents for lawyers 
  • Attend court proceedings to take notes for lawyers 
  • Maintaining files

The average salary of a Legal Secretary is R 9 930 per month in South Africa. This is the salary for entry-level employment. The more experience you gain over time, the more salary you earn.

Yes, Legal Secretary is a good career because of the following:

  • You earn well

Legal Secretaries earn a good salary. The more experience they have, the more they earn. 

  • You resolve issues

Legal Secretaries help solve court cases by gathering evidence and finding witnesses. This helps the court cases be resolved in time. 

  • You assist lawyers 

Legal Secretaries do a lot of work. Helping lawyers is a good thing because they help them with their duties and this helps the legal workplace operate smoothly. 

  • You feel good 

Performing good work helps you feel good about yourself, as a Legal Secretary who people can depend on for assistance. 

  • You learn about laws 

The more you attend court proceedings, the more you learn about laws and can help other people abide by the law.

Every work can be stressful. When it does get overwhelming, you should remember to do the following: 

  • Take a deep breath 
  • Work on your weaknesses 
  • Do more of what you do best 
  • Give yourself a break and rest 
  • Compliment your best work 
  • Remember why you chose your career 
  • Have something that motivates you to do better

As a Legal Secretary, you can work in the following places: 

  • Law firms 
  • Governmental departments 
  • Magistrate offices

A good Legal Secretary has the following qualities: 

  • Has a welcoming personality 
  • Can communicate very well 
  • Has a way to make people feel comfortable 
  • Listens carefully 
  • Knows how to keep a secret 
  • Has an organised nature 
  • Has a good memory
  • Knows how to negotiate 
  • Creates good relationships 
  • Respects people 
  • Loves working with people 
  • Passionate about the law

These are the skills of a Legal Secretary: 

  • Organisational skills 

Your work requires that you are organised. There is a lot of paperwork that you do, and you must keep each organised for when they are needed by lawyers. You should not mix up papers. 

  • Attention to detail 

You must pay attention to little things. Ensure that there are no errors when you make paperwork for lawyers or when you take down notes at a court proceeding. 

  • Communication skills 

You must be able to communicate well and professionally. You will work with case witnesses, and you must speak well to them so that they understand different things. 

  • Technical skills 

You must be good with computers and other technological devices such as printers. You will have to save information on a computer and print paperwork when needed. 

  • Writing skills 

You must be a good writer. You should write clear and understandable text. You will be required to take notes during court proceedings for lawyers, and you should write in ways that they will understand. 

  • Research skills 

You will be required to find a witness or gather evidence from a hospital. You must have research skills so that you can find as much information as possible to help with the case.

The skill of confidentiality is the most important one for Legal Secretaries. This is because they work with cases that are confidential. Their work requires that keep work information safe and not being shared anywhere else, not even at home.

You can become a good Legal Secretary by doing the following: 

  • Arrive to work on time daily 
  • Prepare documents for lawyers in time 
  • Stay organised 
  • Be fast and efficient 
  • Be a reliable human being 
  • Work on extra duties 
  • Assist everyone who needs help 
  • Give compliments
  • Remind lawyers of things you think they may forget about 
  • Ask for help politely 
  • Apologise when you are wrong 
  • Learn fast from your mistakes 
  • Ask if anyone needs assistance from you

Our Accreditation

SAQA

Our Legal Secretary NATED courses are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority. Studying these courses gives you recognition in South Africa. You can use your Legal Secretary NATED Qualification to continue studying or find work anywhere in South Africa.

DHET

Our Legal Secretary NATED courses are registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training. These courses make you stand out from other candidates because you earn a qualification that the DHET accredits.

QCTO

The Legal Secretary NATED courses are accredited by the Quality Council of Trades and Occupations (QCTO). This increases your opportunities to find employment in the occupational field.

Why Choose To Study Legal Secretary Via Distance Learning

  • Studying from home 

Studying your course at home will help you study comfortably. You will not feel overwhelmed and this will make you enjoy studying. 

  • Saving transport money 

You get a chance to save the money that would have been spent on transportation to class. 

  • Studying at your pace

You choose to study at a pace that is convenient for your understanding. This helps you study with a lot of energy. 

  • Set your own study session 

You are in control of your studies and study according to your timetable. 

  • Work and study 

Since you study from home and are in charge of your own study sessions, you can study while you are also an employee. Distance-learning makes it possible to balance school and work. 

  • Stress-free

Studying from home is good for you. You are not overwhelmed by socialising with a lot of people. If you are someone who struggles with interacting with too many people, you are safe.

Career Opportunities With A Legal Secretary Qualification

  • Filing Clerk – R 6 275 per month 
  • Junior Conveyancing Assistant – R 8 320 per month 
  • Junior Legal Secretary – R 8 550 per month 
  • Personal Assistant – R 7 450 per month 
  • Company Secretary – R 6 590 per month
  • Develop a filling system 
  • Keep file records up to date 
  • Retrieve files when needed 
  • Faxing documents
  • Assisting Property Lawyers 
  • Updating system that has information of clients 
  • Communicating with estate agents 
  • Organise meetings
  • Gathering case evidence 
  • Attending court proceedings to take notes 
  • Organise documents for lawyers 
  • Have meetings with witnesses
  • Organising meetings 
  • Ordering supplies for the office 
  • Replying to emails 
  • Answering calls
  • Ensure employees comply with company laws 
  • Maintain files 
  • Reporting to the manager when laws are not followed 
  • Certifying company files

Benefits Of Studying At Matric College

  • Studying from home 
  • Saving transport money
  • Study while working  
  • Studying at the pace that you understand best 
  • Set your own study session 
  • Getting assistance from Tutors 
  • Receiving course information from Course Experts 
  • Graduate after completion of a course 
  • Gain skills and knowledge 
  • Receive a qualification on completion of a course

Frequently Asked Questions

A NATED course is a course designed by the DHET to provide students with components that are valued in the work environment. This way, students can acquire skills and knowledge that are relevant and required by employers. This then makes the students perfect candidates for employment opportunities.

NATED means National Accredited Technical Education Diploma. NATED is an acronym created to make the long-phrase easy to pronounce. NATED is also known as: 

  • (N) Qualifications 
  • National N Qualifications

You can study a NATED course at Matric College. We are a distance learning college. You study our NATED courses from home. While you study from home, we provide the following for you: 

They are there to assist you when you need help with course assessments. They can be reached through emails, calls or WhatsApp from Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm. 

  • Study guides 

These are delivered to you after registration and may arrive at your doorstep in five to seven days through courier. 

They are available when you need help to find information about your course. You can call, send an email or text them on WhatsApp. 

  • Emergency forms 

These are known as Red Alert forms and help when you are in times of an academic emergency. We can see that you have filled them out online and call you immediately to assist.

Anyone who has a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate) qualifies to study for a NATED course at Matric College. Besides having a Matric Qualification, you are also required to meet the following requirements: 

  • Be 16 years or older 
  • Be able to read, write and understand English 
  • Be able to study through distance learning

Yes, all NATED courses offered at Matric College are accredited. They are accredited by the DHET and the QCTO. Accreditation helps you with recognition. You are able to find employment or continue your studies in different places in South Africa.

No, a National N Diploma (NATED) is not equivalent to a National Diploma. NATED Qualifications are not equivalent to other qualifications. This is because equivalent qualifications must have similar learning processes and outcomes, and the National N Diploma (NATED) has learning processes and outcomes that are different from the National Diploma.

Author: Mulisa Nethononda
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: May 20, 2022

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