Family Law Practitioner

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Family Law Practitioner. A Family Law Practitioner consults with clients, performs basic mediation, conducts basic research, and performs administrative functions within family law context. A qualified learner will be able to: • Consult with clients. • Perform basic mediation. • Gather and communicate information related to the matter. • Compile applicable reports. • Handle correspondences and attend to relevant legal documents.

Changes in legislation relating to family law and practice developments necessitated the need to develop a new qualification. The currently registered qualification is out of sync with industrial developments and skills required to effectively render services related to family law matters. There are currently no registered occupational qualifications that provide learners with knowledge and skills that enable them to practice as family law practitioners and deal with changes brought about by new legislation. The Family Law Practitioner is obliged to provide administrative, legal assistance and support to the public, organisations, and other related institutions in the family law sector. This qualification provides learners with knowledge and skills required to meet the latest developments in family law practices. These family law developments and practices refer to a combination of tasks and responsibilities relating to maintenance, domestic violence, divorce, marriage, mediation, and children's court matters in various family law related institutions and organisations in South Africa. During the development of this qualification, state organisations, private institutions, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were invited to participate in this process. Organisations that participated included amongst others, the following: SA Law School, Law Society of South Africa (LSSA), Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD), HRD National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Institute for Legal Practice (ILPDR), Law for all, Institute for Professional legal Training, Justice College, Dobsonville Human Right Centre, Engile Security Services, Thutong Learning College, Bokamoso Institute, South African School of Paralegal Studies, Imbokodo Restorative Justice ,WZ Events, New Horizon, National Department of Social Development, Crane International Academy and Centre for Community Justice Development. This qualification is aimed at individuals who qualify and are currently practising as Family Law Practitioners but have not acquired a formal qualification and any other party interested in serving society in the capacity as a Family Law Practitioner. Qualified learners will have mobility through various areas of specialisation such as mediator within family law practice, family law administrator, family counsellor. Advanced career mobility can be pursued through careers such as private Legal Practioners, State Legal Practitioners and academia in the family law sector. This qualification will equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to work with a range of family law-related matters in public, private and other related sectors. This qualification will result in qualified, skilled and competent Family Law Practitioners in South Africa bringing social and economic benefits through provision of more effective and informed advice and assistance with family law problems. Society will benefit by receiving improved services through access, awareness, empowerment offered by qualified Family Law Practitioners, thus contributing positively to building the economy at large.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or by certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • NQF Level 4 qualification.

• Facilitate consultative processes aimed at resolving clients' family related problems.
• Perform basic mediation activities to resolve family related disputes between or among clients.
• Conduct basic research to gather information related to the matter as presented by the client.
• Perform administrative functions within the scope of a Family Law Practitioner.
• Coordinate activities that are aimed at handling correspondences and attendance to the relevant legal documents.