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LLB Internships 2026 in South Africa: A Simple Guide for Scholars
LLB internships in South Africa for 2026 offer law students and recent graduates hands-on experience in legal practice. These opportunities help bridge the gap between theory from your LLB studies and real-world work. They include:
- Vacation internships/clerkships — Short (2–4 weeks) placements during university breaks (June/July winter or November/December summer) at law firms. These are key to assessing candidates for future candidate-attorney (articles) positions.
- Candidate attorney articles — 2-year practical vocational training (articles of clerkship) after LLB + any postgraduate diploma if required, leading to admission as an attorney.
- Legal internships — Paid or unpaid roles at NGOs, government bodies, commissions, or organizations like Legal Aid SA, focusing on human rights, public interest law, or specific sectors.
- Graduate / entry-level internships — For recent LLB graduates in corporate, compliance, or specialized legal roles.
Most internships target South African citizens or permanent residents with strong academic performance (often an average of 65%+), and, in some cases, financial need or equity considerations. The LLB internships 2026 opportunities equip these future advocates to work anywhere in the world.
Types of LLB Internships Available in 2026
- Vacation Programmes (for current LLB students). These are competitive and often the gateway to articles. Examples:
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- Many top firms (e.g., Webber Wentzel, Bowmans, Pinsent Masons, Clyde & Co) run winter/summer vacation schemes in 2026.
- Applications often open in late 2025 or early 2026; some close by mid-2026.
- Focus: Research, drafting, shadowing attorneys, and firm assessments.
- Candidate Attorney (Articles) Positions (for LLB graduates or final-year students)
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- 2-year contracts starting in 2026/2027 at firms or organizations.
- Firms like Dentons, STBB, Spoor & Fisher, Pinsent Masons, and others recruit for 2027/2028 starts (applications often close in 2026).
- Government/justice departments, as well as Legal Aid SA, offer stipend positions.
- Specialized / NGO Internships
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- CRL Rights Commission: 24-month paid legal internship in investigations (applications closed early 2026).
- National Financial Ombud Scheme: Legal Intern 2026 (closed December 2025).
- ProBono.org / Access to Justice (international programs like OHIO in Johannesburg).
- Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC): Interns/fellows in Johannesburg.
- Section27: Occasional summer/winter legal internships for LLB students.
- Other Opportunities
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- Sea Harvest LLB/BCom Law Graduate Programme (Cape Town, for first-time graduates).
- Department of Employment and Labour Graduate Internship (includes LLB-related roles).
General Application Tips for 2026
- Apply early—Many close between mid-2025 and late 2026; check firm websites or portals such as Leap.ly, Apply4Law, or LinkedIn.
- Documents needed — CV, academic transcripts, ID, motivation letter, and references.
- Platforms — Use Apply4Law.africa, Leap.ly, LinkedIn, Indeed, PNet, firm career pages.
- Requirements — LLB (completed or in progress), South African citizenship (for most), good grades.
Key Contacts and Resources
- Apply4Law (central portal for many firms’ vacation/articles):— Apply online; check opportunities.
- Leap.ly (used by firms like Adams & Adams, Webber Wentzel): — Register and apply.
- Legal Aid South Africa (candidate attorney programme): — Applications reopen annually; email or check the vacancies page.
- Webber Wentzel (articles/vac work): articles@webberwentzel.com
- Pinsent Masons (internships/candidate attorneys): Careers page
- Spoor & Fisher (articles): articles@spoor.com
- STBB (articles): Online form.
- Adams & Adams (vacation/graduate recruitment): Via Leap.ly.
- CRL Rights Commission (legal internship): Check edupstairs.org or the CRL site for forms.
- General Job Sites: Indeed.co.za (search “law internship 2026”), LinkedIn (28+ listings), PNet.co.za.
Conclusion on llb internships 2026
Well-trained lawyers are a great help to society; they make people feel secure and confident that they will receive justice in a society governed by the rule of law. The llb internships 2026 prepare lawyers and future advocates for that purpose. For the latest openings, deadlines, and specific firm requirements in 2026, visit firm websites, Apply4Law, or job portals regularly—opportunities fill fast. Good luck securing your LLB internship!
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