Higher Certificate in Paralegal Studies in Commercial Practice
This program gives you the skills to shine in any commercial setting. You’ll even get to specialise in two fields through electives!
Graduates can work as paralegals or legal assistants in law firms, businesses, banks, or government offices—anywhere legal expertise is needed.
Ready to boost your career and stand out? Let’s make it happen!
SAQA ID 100811 | NQF Level 5 | Credits 120
Overview of the Programme
What this qualification is (in simple terms)
This Higher Certificate teaches you the legal skills used in business—so you can assist with contracts, compliance paperwork, and everyday legal tasks in companies and law firms that deal with commercial matters. It’s designed to get you job‑ready for corporate legal departments, commercial law firms, banks, and organisations involved in transactions and operations. It sits at NQF Level 5 and runs over one academic year via distance/online learning.
What you’ll be able to do after the course
- Handle commercial legal documentation (e.g., drafting/processing contracts and supporting the admin around deals).
- Assist with compliance (help keep a business aligned with legal requirements and internal policies).
- Support contract management (tracking versions, obligations, renewals, and filing).
- Communicate professionally with clients and colleagues, and do basic legal research to support attorneys or in‑house counsel.
- Work ethically and keep good records in a busy legal office.
How the study and assessments work
- Study mode: Online—flexible for working students.
- Duration: Typically 1 year.
- Assessments per subject: 1 assignment (formative) + final exam (summative).
- Marks: The exam contributes 40% of the final subject mark.
- Exam windows: You get two exam opportunities each study year, with clear supplementary rules if you need a re‑write.
Modules & specialisation
The programme uses about six modules over the year and allows you to specialise in two commercial areas through elective choices (exact electives vary by intake; request the latest module list when you apply).
Who can apply (admission requirements)
You can apply if you have one of the following:
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Higher Certificate endorsement, or
- NC(V) Level 4 with Higher Certificate endorsement, or
- ASC/SC (with HC endorsement/exemption), or
- A foreign school‑leaving certificate that meets Matriculation Board equivalence.
- Lyceum may also consider Mature Age entry and RPL/CAT (Recognition of Prior Learning / Credit Transfer) per CHE policy.
Compulsary
- Office Management for Legal Practices (WIL)
- Criminal Procedure
- Commercial Law
- Academic and Digital Literacies
- Debt Recovery Process
Elective
(Select one from the choice of electives)
- Wills and Estate Management
- Property Law and Conveyance Practice
- Accounting for Legal Practice
Full Fee - R 25 935
Cash Settlement Fee - R 23 345
Apply now and use our discounted back to school fee
Did you know you can pay your course fee in easy monthly instalments!
Ask your student advisor about this option