NBCSA

National Bar Council of South Africa

Maintaining the true spirit of an independent legal profession

JOIN THE NBCSA

Accredited to conduct Practical Vocational Training and Assessment 2025

Professional Training Program

Training structured coursework programs (400 notional hours) for candidate legal practitioners (pupils) up to 2025. Our comprehensive program ensures you receive the highest quality legal education and practical training.

Download Application

Get the complete application package for pupillage training

Download Pupil Application Forms

Online Application

Complete your application electronically for faster processing

Click to Fill Online Form

Applications Still Open for 2026

Don't miss the opportunity to join South Africa's premier legal training program. Limited spaces available.

PRINCIPLES OF THE NBCSA

Guiding Values of Our Legal Community

The National Bar Council of South Africa is a voluntary association formed to promote excellence, accessibility, and fairness in the legal profession through these core principles:

Healthy Competition

Encouraging healthy competition between lawyers, including advocates and attorneys, which translates into better and more cost-effective service to the public.

Equal Access

Assisting previously disadvantaged individuals to enter the profession without having undue barriers of entry placed in their way.

Accessible Justice

Campaigning for an accessible legal system that serves all citizens equally and efficiently.

Professional Support

Provision of comprehensive support to advocates throughout their careers, from pupillage to senior counsel.

Freedom to Practice

Belief in the fundamental freedom to practice law independently while maintaining professional standards.

These Principles Create Real Benefits

Our commitment to these principles directly translates into tangible benefits for all our members, creating a supportive and progressive legal community.

BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MEMBER OF NBCSA

LOW COST • SUPPORT • TRAINING • RECOGNITION AND CONTROL

LOW COST
  • Freedom to practice from chambers of your choice
  • Affordable Bar fees
  • No additional financial burdens
  • Access to Pro Deo Work
SUPPORT
  • A strong support structure (at national and provincial level)
  • Emphasis on developing and promoting business acumen amongst members
  • Mentorship programs for new practitioners
  • Networking opportunities with experienced advocates
TRAINING
  • A more convenient way of training – contact training and virtual training
  • Ongoing legal training and continuing professional development
  • Specialized courses in various legal fields
  • Practical skills workshops and seminars
RECOGNITION AND CONTROL
  • Recognized professional body with national standing
  • Access to influential decision-makers in the organisation
  • Approachable national executive committee
  • Recognition of seniority and opportunity to develop to senior counsel status and judge
  • Active voice in the future of the legal profession

Join Today and Experience the Benefits!

Become part of a progressive legal community that values independence, affordability, and professional growth.

APPLICATION FORMS & RESOURCES

Access All Necessary Documentation for NBCSA Membership

Download or complete online all the forms and resources needed for NBCSA membership, training, and accreditation. Everything you need in one place.

Pupillage Application

For candidate legal practitioners seeking practical vocational training

Online Form PDF Download

Training Application

For admitted advocates seeking continuing professional development

Training Application for Admitted Advocates

Membership Rejoining

For former members wishing to rejoin the NBCSA community

Membership Rejoining Form

Accreditation

Official NBCSA accreditation documents and certificates

NBCSA Accreditation Document

Need Assistance?

If you need help with any application or have questions about the process, our support team is ready to assist you. Contact us for personalized guidance.

OUR BELIEFS

The Core Philosophy Driving Our Mission

"Healthy competition between lawyers, including advocates and attorneys, translates into more cost-effective service to the public"
— NBCSA Founding Principle

Client-Centered Service

We believe that competition should ultimately benefit the client through better service, more options, and reasonable costs.

Fair Practice

We uphold the belief that all legal practitioners should compete on a level playing field, based on merit and quality of service.

Continuous Improvement

Competition drives innovation and improvement in legal services, benefiting both practitioners and the public they serve.

Putting Beliefs Into Practice

These beliefs are not just words - they shape our policies, training programs, and member support systems to create real value for our legal community.

Contact Us

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