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Welcome to a legal community dedicated to excellence, service, and the advancement of justice.

This is the largest Bar in South Africa and it has approximately 1200 members, practising in chambers in the Johannesburg City Centre and in Sandton.

The Johannesburg Society of Advocates

The Johannesburg Society of Advocates is a distinguished voluntary association governed by a constitution and a set of rules. Its membership is exclusive to those who are briefed by attorneys. With a legacy spanning over a century, our society boasts a membership of over a thousand individuals, the majority of whom hail from historically disadvantaged communities.


Key functions of our society include:


  1. Training Pupil Advocates: We are committed to training aspiring advocates, predominantly selected from historically disadvantaged communities.
  2. Premier Legal Library: Our institution houses the country's premier private legal library, staffed by qualified librarians, and provides legal research resources free of charge to our esteemed members.
  3. Peer Review System: A judicious peer review system recommends Senior Advocate (SC) status, commonly referred to as Silk, for a limited number of members annually. This recognition is granted with due consideration to their significant contributions to the transformation of the advocate's profession.
  4. Collaboration with Johannesburg High Court: We maintain close liaison with the Johannesburg High Court, contributing members who serve as judges on a pro bono basis—an invaluable service to both the judiciary and the public.
  5. Pro Bono Legal Services: Our commitment extends to providing pro bono legal services to attorneys in need, ensuring access to justice for clients who may otherwise be unable to afford it.
  6. Biannual Bar Dinner: We convene a prestigious biannual bar dinner, attended by judges and advocates.
  7. Information Publication: Our society publishes relevant information concerning the operation of the Johannesburg High Court for the benefit of our members.
  8. Johannesburg High Court Amenities: As part of our commitment to facilitating legal proceedings, we provide free Wi-Fi in the Johannesburg High Court.
  9. Dedicated Digital Resource: This webpage serves as a dynamic and dedicated digital resource, designed to enhance the excellence of service rendered by advocates to attorneys, their clients, and the courts.
  10. Promoting Judicial Excellence: We actively promote the elevation of our senior members to assume positions as judges, leveraging the ethical framework they have practiced within for many years before undertaking judicial office.

Reasons to join

Why Be Part of The JSA?

Judges of the High Court are often appointed from the ranks of Senior Counsel. One of the most important functions of the Bar is therefore to serve as a training ground for a career as Judge on the High Court Bench.

Opportunity to learn from experienced Advocates

Access to collective knowledge

Career Advancement

Career Path to Judiciary

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