The Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma is the last qualification that you will complete in the NATED Legal Secretary Programme. You will complete 18 months of work experience. To gain entry, you have to complete the following courses:
- Legal Secretary: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary: NATED N5 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Certificate
We partner with Bellview Institute of Distance Learning to offer NATED courses.
| Certificate Type | National N Diploma |
| Awarded By | The DHET and the QCTO |
| Award Type | National Diploma and a Programme Completion Certificate |
| NQF Level | Level 6 |
| SAQA ID | 67035 |
| Credits | 360 |
| Entry Requirements |
|
Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma Subjects
There are no subjects for the Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma. You have to complete the subjects for each Legal Secretary course to gain entry into the Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma. Here are the courses you need to complete:
Career Opportunities
Once you have completed the Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma course, you can pursue the following careers:
- Administrative Assistant Secretary
- Bond Cancellations Secretary
- Conveyancing Secretary
- Customer service Agent
- Document Examiner
- Filing Clerk
- Junior Legal Secretary
- Junior Litigation Secretary
- Junior Conveyancing Secretary
- Legal: Committee Secretary
- Loan Consultant
- Paralegal Secretary
- Personal Assistant
- Receptionist
What Will I Learn?
The Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma qualification equips students with the necessary skills to start their careers as Legal Secretaries. Here are some of the many skills students can learn when completing the 18 months of work experience:
- Administrative skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Communication skills
- Computer skills
Legal Secretary Assessments
The Legal Secretary: NATED National Diploma does not have any assessments. You will only complete the 18 months of work experience to get your Legal Secretary: NATED National Diploma.
18 Month Work Experience
After you have completed all of the Legal Secretary Courses, you must complete 18 months of work experience. In your logbook, you should record your work experience.
An N6 Qualification can be one of the following qualifications:
- Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Certificate or
- Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma
Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Certificate
An N6 National Certificate in Legal Secretary is the qualification you will receive after you have completed:
- Legal Secretary: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary: NATED N5 National Certificate
- and the Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Certificate course
Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma
The Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma is the qualification you will receive after you have completed the
- Legal Secretary: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary: NATED N5 National Certificate
- and the Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Certificate course
After you have completed all of the above courses you must complete 18 months of work experience to receive your Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma.
Here is what you will need if you want to become a Legal Secretary in South Africa:
- If you have completed a Legal Secretary course
- If you have gained experience as a Legal Secretary
- If you have the necessary skills to become a Legal Secretary
Completed A Legal Secretary Course
Here are the different courses you can complete at Matric College:
- Legal Secretary: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary: NATED N5 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma
Gain Experience
Before you become a qualified Legal Secretary, you have to gain work experience. You can work at the following organisations:
- Private law firm
- Work close with a state attorney
- Volunteer at a Legal Aid organisation
*You can identify which area of law you would like to work in when you gain work experience.
Legal Secretaries can work for the following types of lawyers:
- Corporate Attorney
- Criminal Lawyer
- Estate Planning Attorney
- Family Lawyer
- Intellectual Property Lawyer
- Labour Lawyer
- Medical Malpractice Attorney
- Personal Injury Attorney
Have The Necessary Skills To Become A Legal Secretary
You should possess the natural skills to become a Legal Secretary. Whether you have these skills or not, you can always learn them by completing one of our National Qualifications.
Here are the characteristics of a Legal Secretary:
- Reliability: Meeting your deadlines are crucial. Your timing needs to be impeccable as it might affect a client’s case
- Confidentiality: The ability to keep the information confidential. You will be working with people’s private information
- Great communication skills: You will be in contact with many clients and you should know how to approach them and communicate with them
- Organised: You have to have a great filling system. You must also keep the information readily available and easy to access
No, you do not need a degree to become a Legal Secretary. You can complete any of our Legal Secretary: NATED National Qualifications (NATED) to become a Legal Secretary.
No, a Legal Secretary is not a Lawyer but you can apply for a Legal Secretary position if you have a law degree. Your chances of getting the Legal Secretary position is higher if you have completed a Degree in Law. You can also complete one of our Legal Secretary National Qualifications.
NATED National N4, N5, and N6 courses typically take between 18 and 36 months to complete. Here are the different ways you can obtain a Legal Secretary Course at Matric College:
| 6 months | 12 months | 18 months | |
| Completing the theory | N4 National Certificate only: Complete only one course at a time. You will only complete 6 months of theory. | N4 and N5 National Certificates only: Complete the first two courses. You will only complete 12 months of theory. | N4, N5, and N6 National Certificates only: Complete all three courses. You will only complete 18 months of theory. |
| Completing the theory and then the work experience | Complete 6 months of theory and 6 months of work experience. This will be 12 months in total. Whether you complete your work experience or not you will still receive your N4 Certificate. | Complete 12 months of theory and 12 months of work experience. This will be 24 months in total. Whether you complete your work experience or not you will still receive your N4 and N5 National Certificates. | Complete 18 months of theory and 18 months of work experience. This will be 36 months in total. Whether you complete your work experience or not you will still receive your N4, N5, and N6 National Certificates. Get your N6 National Diploma by completing a total of 18 months of work experience. |
| Completing work experience with the theory | This option is for students that are working in their field of study while studying. You can complete the practical component of the N4 Certificate and gain 6 months of work experience. | This option is for students that are working in their field of study while studying. You can complete the practical component of your N4 and N5 Certificates and gain 12 months of work experience. | This option is for students that are working in their field of study while studying. You can complete the practical component of your N4, N5, and N6 Certificates and gain 18 months of work experience. |
After you have completed the NATED Legal Secretary Programme you can apply for any of our other NATED Programmes:
A Legal Secretary earns between R 6000 and R 30 000 per month on average.
R 15 396
The average salary for a Legal Secretary is R 15 396 per month in South Africa.
Your salary as a Legal Secretary is determined by these three factors:
- The position you apply for
- Your level of experience
- Your educational background
The Position You Apply For
The position you apply for does affect your salary. If you are completing a variety of duties or complicated tasks, your salary will increase. Here is a table with some positions and the salary you will receive per month:
| Position | Salary per month |
| Administrative Assistant | R 6 997 per month |
| Junior Legal Secretary | R 10 000 per month |
| Legal Assistant | R 13 577 per month |
| Litigation Secretary | R 20 000 per month |
| Legal Secretary | R 25 000 per month |
Your Level Of Experience
Legal Secretaries with experience are more likely to find employment. Employers seek candidates who possess the necessary skills to complete the job.
Your Educational Background
If you have completed a course in Legal Secretary, your chances of finding employment is high. The higher your level of qualification the better your chances are. Our Legal Secretary courses will prepare you for a career as a Legal Secretary.
NOTE: The hiring criteria for each company vary. Ultimately, it is the company that decides whether you will be hired.
| Secretary Positions | Salary Per Month |
| Management Support Secretary | 16,300 per month |
| Administrative Receptionist | 16,300 per month |
| School Secretary | 16,400 per month |
| Legal Secretary | 16,800 per month |
| Board Secretary | 15,600 per month |
| Executive Secretary | 17,200 per month |
Your Next Step Is To Further Your Studies
After you have completed your Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma, you can further your studies with another NATED Course.
Why Choose To Study With Matric College?
Matric College offers excellent opportunities for students who are interested in distance learning. Distance learning is an alternative to attending a class in person or taking online classes. Busy students will benefit from distance learning. Below are some reasons to study with us:
- We offer unique payment plans: Different payment options are available. Here are your payment choices:
- Advance payments (Paying your studies for the entire programme or course)
- Split payments (Paying half of the total amount of your fees at the beginning of the year, and the other half at the end of the year)
- Monthly payments (Pay a fixed installment every month)
- Unique payment method (a payment method that works for both of us)
- You can study and work: It is possible to work full-time and study full-time. You are not required to attend classes in person or online. Simply submit your assignments and take the final exam
- Set up your own study schedule: You can choose how much time you want to spend studying. Matric College understands the importance of balancing work, family, and studies
- Get tutor assistance from us: When you need assistance with your work or want advice, you can turn to our tutors. You can reach out to our tutors online or book a callback
- Our friendly support team checks in on your progress: Regular calls will be made to check in on your progress or to remind you of assignments and tests
Legal Secretaries in South Africa perform the following duties:
- Preparing and processing legal documents
- Reviewing legal documents
- Communicating with clients about administrative issues
- Maintaining and organising legal documents
Yes, Legal Secretary is a good career. Here are some of the reasons why it is a good career:
- You can work as a Secretary in any industry if you have completed a NATED Legal Secretary course
- You can use the skills you have learned in any other industry:
- E.g Receptionist, Loan Consultant
- You get the chance to learn more about law
- You meet different people every day
No, the National NATED Diploma is not equivalent to a National Diploma. Both of these Qualifications are registered at the same NQF Level, which is an NQF Level 6 but it is important to remember that they are not equivalent to each other.
The following reasons explain why they are not equivalent:
- Each qualification has a specific purpose
- Each qualification has an exit-level outcome
No, the N6 National Diploma or N6 National Certificate is not the same as an NQF level 6.
The N6 National Certificate is at an NQF Level 5 and the N6 National Diploma is at an NQF Level 6. What does this mean?
This means that accredited qualifications in South Africa are measured on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The NQF Level of your qualification determines the learning outcome and even though it is at the same level it does not mean that it is the same. Below you will find a table that explains the different NQF levels:
| Qualification | NQF Level |
| General Certificate: ABET Level 4 / Grade 9 | 1 |
| Elementary Certificate: Grade 10 | 2 |
| Intermediate certificate: Grade 11 | 3 |
| National Certificate: Senior Certificate (Amended) / National Senior Certificate / National Senior Certificate for Adults / Matric Equivalent Certificates | 4 |
| Higher Certificate: N4 National Certificate, N5 National Certificate, N6 National Certificate | 5 |
| Diploma & Advanced Certificate: N6 National Diploma, National Diploma | 6 |
| Bachelor’s Degree & Advanced Diploma | 7 |
| Honours Degree & Postgraduate Diploma | 8 |
| Masters Degree | 9 |
| Doctoral Degree | 10 |
No, a Legal Secretary is not the same as a Paralegal. A paralegal takes on more legal responsibility, whereas a Legal Secretary focuses more on clerical tasks. The differences are shown below:
| Legal Secretary | Paralegal |
| Legal Secretaries are part of a Legal environment and perform administrative duties. | Paralegals perform certain legal duties on behalf of a Lawyer. |
| Legal Secretaries discuss administrative issues with clients. | Paralegals Interviews clients. |
| Legal Secretaries take down minutes. | Paralegals conduct research. |
The main difference between a Secretary and a Legal Secretary is the duties performed by each. Here is a table with the differences between these two positions:
| Secretary | Legal Secretary |
| Organising important administrative work | Organising important Legal work |
| Preparing all types of documents | Preparing Legal documents |
| Meeting up with various clients | Meeting up with the Lawyer’s clients |
Legal Secretaries are called the following:
- Law Clerk
- Legal Assistants
- Legal Administrative Assistant
- Legal Administrative Specialist
No, you cannot go to university with an N6 National Diploma in Legal Secretary. Here is what you will need to consider:
- You can only apply for a Diploma course and then complete a Degree course at some universities
- Some universities look at your APS Score
- Your Admissions Point Score is the points you receive from your Matric results. The score is determined by your percentages and codes received for each subject. Universities use the APS Score to see if you qualify for the course you wish to apply for.
Application Process
The following are the application instructions for the NATED Legal Secretary Programme:
Step 1: Contact us
You should first make contact with us:
- Complete our online application form
- You can also ask us to contact you: Book a call
- We are available on the following landline number (021 838 8295)
- Visit us at our physical address
Step 2: Speak to one of our friendly course experts
Our course specialists can assist you in choosing a course. We will recommend a course based on what you perform well at, what you enjoy, and how much you can afford.
Step 3: Register for one of our courses
Our college provides distance learning. Anyone can apply. You can apply any time of the year.
Step 4: Write the exams
When you pass the exams, you may apply for the next NATED Programme.
How Do I Study Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma Course
Follow these steps to study our NATED Legal Secretary Programme:
| Step 1: Apply the NATED National Programme. |
| Step 2: Complete the three assignments successfully before you register for the final exams. |
| Step 3: Get at least 40% or more for all of your assignments combined. |
| Step 4: Wait for the results of your assignments, in the meantime, you can prepare for the exams. |
| Step 5: After you have received your results and qualify to write the exam, you should apply and prepare for the final NATED exam. |
| Step 6: Take your first exam and continue the process with each subject. |
| Step 7: Once you have successfully completed the course, you will receive your Certificate from Matric College. *The DHET will provide you with your National Diploma. |
Where Can I Study A Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma Course?
You can study the NATED Programme through a distance learning college such as Matric College.
When Can I Start Studying The Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma Course?
Our students can begin their studies at any time. We are a distance learning institution. If you are ready to apply, you can do so at any time.
As soon as you have completed the exams for all of the Legal Secretary courses and have passed, you can start your 18 months of work experience. You will be in full control of your studies and future career with any of our distance learning courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Employers look for these specific skills in Legal Secretaries:
- Confidentiality
- Good communication skills
- Reliability
- Research skills
No, Legal Secretary is not a stressful job. Legal Secretary jobs are exciting because you will always new meet clients.
No, Legal Secretaries do not need a Degree. You can apply for any of our NATED Legal courses and become a Legal Secretary.
No, not anyone cannot become a Legal Secretary. You must look at the following factors when you consider becoming a Legal Secretary:
- Your interests and if they match that of a Legal Secretary
- Your abilities and if they match that of a Legal Secretary
- Your educational qualifications and if they match that of a Legal Secretary
No, you cannot study Legal Secretary without a Matric. The minimum entry requirement for the NATED Legal Secretary Programme is a Matric Certificate with any Matric Pass Level.
You can become a Legal Secretary with no experience by completing the following NATED courses:
- Legal Secretary: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary: NATED N5 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary: NATED N6 National Diploma
Once you have completed the above-mentioned courses you can find employment by registering on the iWIL programme. This service helps students match with employers that offer work experience.
Yes, Paralegal does make more money than Legal Secretaries. Here is the difference between the salaries:
R 18 887 per month The average salary for a paralegal is R 18 887 per month in South Africa. | R 15 208 per month The average salary for a legal secretary is R 15 208 per month in South Africa. |
*Remember that you can apply for Paralegal positions with your NATED Legal Secretary qualifications.
The N6 National Certificate has 60 credits and the N6 National Diploma has 360 credits.
No, you cannot be a lawyer with a Law Diploma. You must have a degree and work experience in Law to become a Lawyer.
You can do the following things with a Diploma in Law:
- Start your study journey to becoming a lawyer by completing a degree course after you have completed a Diploma in Law.
- Become a Paralegal
Other Legal Secretary Courses
Author: Jesmé Africa
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: March 1, 2022
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