SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply the rules of practice management and administration in an attorney's office 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116094  Apply the rules of practice management and administration in an attorney's office 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Legal Education and Training 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Justice in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  11 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is aimed at understanding basic business management practices. The qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Discuss the importance of business management, a proper business plan and how to market a business.
  • Explain the role of financial management, financial statements and a proper administrative system.
  • Explain risks and how to manage risks.
  • Manage clients' and personal affairs in an ethical and responsible manner.
  • Describe how to start and manage / administer an attorney's practice 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The learner has acquired the ability to manage and organise her or his life and professional activities in the legal field responsibly, ethically and effectively

    Learners registering for this unit standard will have demonstrated competence in legal knowledge at NQF level 7 as contained in a recognised law degree like B Proc or LLB or any other qualification recognised as equivalent to such a law degree in terms of legislation as indicated in the notes to the qualification. This assumed learning is listed in paragraph 4 of the qualification "Post graduate certificate in Attorneys Practice". 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Discuss the importance of business management, a proper business plan and how to market a business. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Define "management", list the fundamental actions and inputs that constitute the management process 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Indicate the elements of a business, define and list the contents of "business plan". 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Explain which factors to consider in choosing a business location. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Explain the purpose and contents of a strategic plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Explain the aspects that need to be considered when drafting an operational plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    List the factors to be considered in marketing a business. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Explain the external and internal public relations tools. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the role of financial management, financial statements and a proper administrative system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Define financial management and list the steps in the financial management process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Explain the financial factors relating to the establishment of a business and the sources of capital available. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Formulate a long and short term financial plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Indicate how to measure actual performance through keeping accounting records. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Indicate which financial reports are needed to successfully manage a practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Explain the policies and procedures aimed at improving performance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Identify the relevant aspects to establish an administrative system in an attorneys office. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    List the principles applicable to the general administrative responsibilities and apply aspects such as:
  • Open a file that is properly numbered, recorded in a register and organised into sub-files.
  • Open a separate ledger account for a client.
  • Implement procedures for the storage, retrieval, closing and archiving of files.
  • Deal with incoming and outgoing correspondence.
  • Design checklists for recurring matters.
  • Use file summaries. 
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain risks and how to manage risks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Define "risk management" and draft a checklist for the management of risk. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Indicate how to prevent prescription. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Identify the specific insurance needs that exist in practice. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Manage clients' and personal affairs in an ethical and responsible manner. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Manage time and matters ethically and effectively. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Organise his/her office and personal space, plan his/her daily routine, prioritise activities and delegate tasks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Accept full responsibility and accountability in the management of clients' and his/her own affairs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Manage a client's mandate from taking the instructions to conclusion thereof. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Record telephone calls, attendances and consultations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Charge fees in accordance with accepted practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Ensure timeous payments of accounts and disbursements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Control expenditure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Honour the client's right to confidentiality. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Describe how to start and manage / administer an attorney's practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The learner must be able to explain the financial and legal requirements to start a practice 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Draft a resources, financial, strategic and operational plan for his / her own business. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Prepare and draft a budget and develop an administrative system for his / her own business. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Deal with matters ethically and accept responsibility and accountability for the management of his/her practice. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA.
  • The relevant ETQA will oversee assessment and moderation of assessment according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant competency and the agreed procedures of the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessment at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards, exit level outcomes as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this competency may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Demonstrated knowledge and understanding:
  • The nature and functioning of legal organizations and the legal system.
  • Ethical and professional conduct.
  • Problem solving techniques.
  • Values such as fairness, justice, accountability, etc. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    Personal development. 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contributing to the personal development of learners and the society and economy, by being culturally sensitive and by participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48920   National Certificate: Attorneys Practice  Level 7  NQF Level 07  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.