South African law firm deadlines, verified and structured.

The Summer Programme application window opens each year on 1 August and closes on 31 October. Now open for the 2026 intake.

Source: Bowmans Graduate Recruitment

STBB's July virtual vacation programme is closed. The same official page still lists a separate virtual vacation programme on 1, 2 and 3 December 2026, with applications closing on 31 October 2026.

Source: STBB Apply For Articles

Tabacks (Tabacks Legal) practises corporate/commercial and mining-related transactional law from Brooklyn, Pretoria and Illovo, Johannesburg. Its own careers page confirms the 2027 candidate attorney intake is open, closing 31 October 2026. Apply via info@tabackslegal.com with a letter of motivation, CV, transcripts, and ID copy.

Source: Tabacks Careers and Culture

Pinsent Masons Johannesburg confirms the 2028 Candidate Attorney programme is currently open, with applications accepted from 24 February 2026 and a closing date of 6 November 2026. Note: the 2027 intake closed on 29 May 2026. The four-stage process includes online registration, online assessment, in-person assessment centre, and offer. The firm covers LPC registration fees and PLT classes. Applications for 2029 are expected to open in January 2027.

Source: Pinsent Masons South Africa Candidate Attorney

The Bowmans graduate page states that candidate legal practitioner applications open each year on 1 July and close on 31 December, or when the available positions have been filled. The page now links only to 2029 applications, but the Bowmans Articles 2028 listing on Leaply, the firm's application platform, is still live as at 25 September 2026, showing 40 positions across 2 locations and a closing date about two months away. Apply early: positions close once filled.

Source: Bowmans Graduate Recruitment

The Bowmans graduate page states that candidate legal practitioner applications open each year on 1 July and close on 31 December, or when the available positions have been filled, and links to 2029 applications on Leaply. The Leaply listing (Bowmans Articles 2029) shows 40 positions across 3 locations, a two-year programme with rotations through four practice groups and in-house practical legal training, and requires a 65% average for a bachelor's degree completed by 31 March 2029.

Source: Bowmans Graduate Recruitment

Fairbridges confirms applications for Practical Vocational Training commencing 2028 are open with a closing date of 31 July 2027. As at 29 July 2026, the firm's page states this intake is open for Cape Town only, with Johannesburg applications to follow, so check the page for a Johannesburg reopening before assuming both offices are live. Applications submitted to apply@fairbridges.co.za with certified academic credentials, CV, motivational letter, character references, and SA ID.

Source: Fairbridges Careers

Bisset Boehmke McBlain (Bissets) is a Cape Town firm on Buitengracht Street, practising conveyancing, corporate, dispute resolution, family law, estates, notarial, and tax work. Its own careers page confirms 2027 articles applications are open, for final-year or graduate LLB holders only, with no stated closing date. Apply via articlescv@bissets.com.

Source: Bisset Boehmke McBlain Candidate Attorneys

Cognia Law's Ignite Programme is a vacation-work scheme for 3rd/4th year LLB students (or penultimate/final-year BCom Law or BA Law students), open only to candidates residing in Cape Town. Covers legal tech, commercial contract management, financial documentation, and legal project management: a genuine ALSP-model introduction, not a traditional litigation/transactional vac work programme. Confirmed live directly on Cognia Law's own HiBob careers portal; no closing date is published, only the programme dates.

Source: Cognia Law Careers (Cognia Ignite Programme)

Deneys is the new independent identity of the former Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa practice, which formally exited the Norton Rose Fulbright network on 31 March 2026 and now operates with no financial or legal ties to NRF. Deneys confirms applications are currently open via Leap.ly for PVT training commencing in 2028. The two-year programme includes four rotations, formal legal training, admissions preparation, and mentorship. Applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents with an overall academic average of 65% or higher.

Source: Deneys Early Careers

The Deneys Early Careers page also confirms applications are currently open for PVT training commencing in 2029, submitted online via Leap.ly. No closing date is displayed on the public page.

Source: Deneys Early Careers

Farrell Incorporated is a Johannesburg employment law firm. Its own careers page confirms applications for its two-year Candidate Attorney programme are "Open" for the 2026 intake. Apply via the firm's online form, uploading ID, academic results, and a motivation letter.

Source: Farrell Incorporated Attorneys Careers

Re-checked 25 September 2026: Fasken's Johannesburg law students page now states that applications for 2028/29 articles are open (it previously showed 2028 as closed). Apply by email to myfuture@fasken.com with a cover letter, CV and transcripts, stating the year you are applying for. No closing date is published.

Source: Fasken Johannesburg Law Students

Fasken's Johannesburg law students page states that applications for 2028/29 articles are open. Apply by email to myfuture@fasken.com with a cover letter, CV and transcripts, stating the year you are applying for. No closing date is published.

Source: Fasken Johannesburg Law Students

Fasken's Johannesburg law students page states that applications for the 2027 Winter Vacation Work Programme are now open. No closing date is published; apply early via the page.

Source: Fasken Johannesburg Law Students

Garlicke & Bousfield's official careers page confirms Candidate Attorney 2028 applications are currently being processed and will close in January 2027, submitted through the firm's own online application form. The 2027 Candidate Attorney intake is now closed. The firm recruits into both its Durban (La Lucia Ridge) and Cape Town (Kenilworth) offices.

Source: Garlicke & Bousfield Careers

The same official careers page confirms Winter Vacation Work 2027 applications are being processed and will close in January 2027. Winter Vacation Work 2026 has already closed, in April 2026.

Source: Garlicke & Bousfield Careers

Heyns and Partners is a Cape Town firm with a corporate and commercial law practice among its services. Their own careers page describes candidate attorney intakes for both 2026 and 2027 cohorts; the 2027 round is shown as currently open with no closing date given. Required documents: ID copy, proof of driver's licence, cover letter, CV, two reference letters, and latest university results, submitted via the firm's own online form.

Source: Heyns and Partners Careers

Kloppers Inc. is a Richards Bay / Empangeni / Durban / Ballito firm and part of the Phatshoane Henney (PH Group) network, routing applicants to the shared PH Group graduate portal, the same portal already used by Wright Rose-Innes, CBJ Attorneys, and PH Attorneys in this tracker. Re-checked 18 August 2026: the shared portal's messaging has moved on to "Apply now for Articles in 2027!", updated here from 2026 accordingly. No firm-specific closing date is shown.

Source: Kloppers Inc. Careers

Spoor & Fisher's own Instagram post announced that applications for the next IP Day, their replacement for a traditional vacation programme, giving invited candidates first-hand insight into life at the firm through discussions and practical exercises, are open and close in March 2027. As of 18 August 2026, the firm's official careers page (spoor.com/candidate-attorneys/) still shows the prior cycle's dates (a 30 March 2026 deadline for the 16 July 2026 IP Day) and has not yet been updated to reflect the firm's own Instagram announcement. Treat the exact closing date as provisional given the website lag, and verify directly with Spoor & Fisher before a hard deadline matters to a candidate.

Source: Spoor & Fisher Candidate Attorneys (IP Day date per firm Instagram, pending website update)

Confirmed live directly on Webber Wentzel's own Workday careers portal, posted 13 days before verification. Candidates rotate across practice areas in Sandton or Cape Town over the two-year programme, with in-house PLT training toward the Attorneys' Admission Examinations. Eligibility: South African citizen or permanent resident, LLB expected complete by 1 January 2029. No public closing date is displayed; applications must be submitted through the Workday portal itself, not by email.

Source: Webber Wentzel Candidate Attorney Programme 2029 (Workday)

White & Case was the first international law firm to open a South African office, in 1995. Its South Africa careers page states that applications for articles are now being accepted for 2029. Vacation students and trainee attorneys apply by emailing johannesburgtrainee@whitecase.com with a CV, cover letter, ID, and all academic transcripts and certificates, in PDF or Word format. The firm confirms receipt within two weeks; screened applicants may be invited to a vacation programme, followed by an interview and offer. No closing date is published.

Source: White & Case South Africa Careers

Wright Rose-Innes is a mid-size commercial firm with offices in Edenvale, Germiston and Bedfordview (Johannesburg). Its own site carries an "Apply Now" link to the shared PH Group graduate recruitment portal used by several member firms (the same portal CBJ Attorneys and PH Attorneys use, each independently tracked here). Re-checked 25 September 2026: the portal now reads "Apply now for Articles in 2027!". No firm-specific deadline is published.

Source: Wright Rose-Innes Careers

APA Africa is a Johannesburg (Houghton Estate) boutique litigation and commercial firm. Its own vacation work page confirms it recruits 3rd and 4th year LLB students as vacation students on a rolling basis, with strong performers considered for paralegal roles or articles after graduation. Applications are submitted via a CV form on the same page, with no fixed intake window or published deadline.

Source: APA Africa Vacation Work

BBM Law is a mid-size commercial firm with five offices (Rosebank, Bedfordview, Pretoria, Umhlanga/Durban, Cape Town). Their own recruitment page actively invites candidate attorney and student vacation-programme applications, describing candidates as "young graduates who have the potential to become future directors." Applications are routed through a Leap.ly application link embedded directly on BBM's own recruitment page. No closing date is published.

Source: BBM Law Recruitment

Campbell Attorneys operates from Durban, Pretoria, and Cape Town. Its own careers page states the firm annually appoints candidate attorneys and encourages applying even without an advertised vacancy, for a two-year clerkship contract. The LLB must be complete before the contract starts. Apply via cv@campbellattorneys.co.za with an ID copy and academic transcript.

Source: Campbell Attorneys Careers

CBJ directs graduates to the PH Group graduate recruitment portal to apply centrally for articles at group firms, without a hard deadline on the public page.

Source: CBJ Attorneys Careers

Cox Yeats says it runs two vacation work programmes every six months, with one-week sessions at the end of January and the beginning of July each year.

Source: Cox Yeats Careers

ENS confirms that applications for its South African vacation programme remain open throughout the year, with limited placements. The firm advises applying as early as possible given limited spaces. Most SA offices offer sessions in June/July and November/December.

Source: ENS Vacation Programme

ENS states that applications for its Trainee Programme remain open throughout the year, with applicants encouraged to apply as early as possible. The public page does not publish intake-specific closing dates.

Source: ENS Trainee Programme

Eversheds Sutherland's South Africa offices (Johannesburg, in Bryanston and Melrose Arch, and Durban) recruit candidate attorneys and vacation students on a rolling basis. The firm's official applications page states it is always looking for the brightest and best talent and asks candidates to email a CV, academic record, and cover letter directly rather than apply through a fixed intake portal.

Source: Eversheds Sutherland South Africa Applications

Hahn & Hahn is a Pretoria (Hatfield) intellectual property boutique specialising in patents, trade marks, and related IP work, with attorneys drawn from chemical, electronic, and mechanical engineering backgrounds. No candidate attorney vacancy or online application process is currently published. Candidates interested in an IP-focused articles pathway should reach out to the firm directly to enquire about future openings.

Source: Hahn & Hahn

KEBD Attorneys is based in Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria. Its own careers page describes both a rolling articles/candidate attorney programme and a separate two-week vacation programme for third/final-year students with a 60%+ average (no concurrent training contract). Apply via elizna@kebd.co.za.

Source: KEBD Attorneys Careers

Lighthouse Law is a Johannesburg commercial and technology law boutique. Its own careers page confirms candidate attorney applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. Apply by emailing a CV, transcript, and cover letter to caprogramme@lighthouse.law.

Source: Lighthouse Law Candidate Attorneys

MacRobert advises candidates to check its Candidate Legal Practitioners page for current openings and apply through the online application portal. The firm may begin recruitment up to three years in advance.

Source: MacRobert Candidate Legal Practitioners

Malan Scholes is a Melrose Estate, Johannesburg firm practising corporate/commercial, mining & environmental, and dispute resolution law. Its own careers page confirms candidate attorney recruitment is rolling and year-round; a separate vacation work programme runs each July with applications due by the end of May. Apply via careers@malanscholes.co.za.

Source: Malan Scholes Attorneys Recruitment

Michalsons is a Cape Town privacy, data protection, and technology law firm practising 'new law'. The firm confirms it is always looking to recruit candidate attorneys and trainee lawyers, with no fixed intake window or public closing date. Applications are by CV and covering letter via email, explaining why you want to practise law differently. No online application portal.

Source: Michalsons Recruit Attorneys

PH Attorneys directs candidates to its graduate recruitment portal for both articles and vacation programmes without a hard closing date on the public careers page.

Source: PH Attorneys Candidate Legal Practitioners

Shepstone & Wylie's Durban-based careers page lists a dedicated Articles of Clerkship section. The 2027 candidate attorney intake closed 31 May 2026, and the 2028 intake is accepting applications with no fixed public closing date confirmed on the page. Apply by emailing careers@wylie.co.za with the required documents, or through the firm's online careers portal.

Source: Shepstone & Wylie Careers

Smit & Van Wyk is a Pretoria (Lynnwood) patent and trade mark boutique. Their own careers page confirms a candidate patent attorney track: applicants need an engineering or BSc degree, a strong academic record, enrolment in (or firm plans to pursue) an LLB, and a driver's licence. Applications are by email to hr@svw.co.za with the subject line "Patent Candidate Application", including a motivation letter, CV, full academic record, matric certificate, and technical degree certificate. No online application form and no fixed closing date are published.

Source: Smit & Van Wyk Careers

Stein Scop is a Johannesburg commercial, M&A, and litigation firm. Its own careers page states articles of clerkship commencing in 2028 are open for applications, with no fixed closing date, and separately confirms winter vacation work for 2027 is also open. Apply for either by emailing a CV and full academic transcript to admissions@steinscop.com.

Source: Stein Scop Attorneys Careers

Thomson Wilks is an established full-service firm (founded 1995, ranked a top-50 dealmaker firm by Ernst & Young) with offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. The firm's own careers page confirms it is actively hiring but does not list a specific Candidate Attorney vacancy or online application portal. Apply via the firm's careers page or by emailing a CV directly to norne@thomsonwilks.co.za for the Cape Town Candidate Attorney opportunity.

Source: Thomson Wilks Careers

Von Seidels is a Cape Town intellectual property boutique (with a satellite office in Johannesburg and further offices serving Namibia, Cameroon, and Nigeria). Their own careers page confirms three articles tracks depending on qualification: Trade Mark Candidate Attorney (LLB/BA Law/BCom Law), Patent Candidate Attorney (technical degree + LLB), and Trainee Patent Attorney (technical degree, studying towards LLB). All applications are added to a recruitment schedule and referenced as suitable positions become available; there is no fixed intake window or published deadline.

Source: Von Seidels Careers

Warburton Attorneys is a small, specialist Johannesburg boutique (established 2000) focused on environmental, sustainability, energy and mining law. Their own careers page states they invite candidate attorney applications throughout the year, with preference given to law graduates with a demonstrated interest or experience in environmental law. Applicants send a single PDF (motivation letter, CV, matric certificate, LLB and academic results, LLM in Environmental Law status if applicable, PLT status, any environmental/health & safety/energy/mining law experience) to admin@warburtons.co.za. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed and then sit a 45-minute written test on-site.

Source: Warburton Attorneys Careers

Eversheds Sutherland's Winter Vacation Programme 2027 advert states that applications open on 1 November 2026 and close on 28 February 2027. Applicants email a cover letter, CV, full academic transcript, identity document and matric certificate to careers@eversheds-sutherland.co.za. The firm published this advert on its own LinkedIn page. Its careers page lists the same email route for applications.

Source: Eversheds Sutherland Winter Vacation Programme 2027 advert

Savage Jooste & Adams' careers page states that applications for articles starting in 2028 open in November 2026 and close at the end of March 2027, and that the firm takes a small number of candidates and reviews applications as they come in. Apply by email to careers@savage.co.za with the position and year in the subject line. The same page says applications for 2027 vacation work can be sent to the same address.

Source: Savage Jooste & Adams Careers

Adams & Adams' graduate recruitment page states that applications for the 2028 Candidate Attorney Programme have closed and that the firm looks forward to welcoming applications for the 2029 intake soon. No opening date is published yet. Applications must be submitted through the firm's website.

Source: Adams & Adams Graduate Recruitment

The Johannesburg office confirms it offers vacation work and practical vocational training opportunities, but no current public deadline is listed on the South Africa page.

Source: Baker McKenzie South Africa

Clyde & Co runs a Summer Vacation Programme in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The 2026 programme ran 19–23 January (JHB) and 26 January–2 February (CT), and its applications are closed. The January 2027 window has not yet been published. Monitor the official page. Eligibility: penultimate or final year law students (BA Law, BCom Law, LLB or LLM) with a 70% overall average and SA citizenship or permanent residency. The scheme is the firm's gateway to candidate attorney positions, with partner interviews for articles at its conclusion. Submit CV, full academic transcript, ID, and matric certificate. Incomplete applications are not considered.

Source: Clyde & Co SA Summer Vacation Programme

Pinsent Masons' South Africa candidate attorney page states that applications for the 2029 intake will open in January 2027. The 2028 intake is open until 6 November 2026 (tracked separately). Applications are made online through the firm's portal, with a registration form, application form and online blended assessment; the firm does not accept CVs or cover letters.

Source: Pinsent Masons Candidate Attorneys (South Africa)

CMS published a defined 2027 candidate attorney application window from 2 February 2026 to 18 February 2026.

Source: CMS South Africa Job Applications

GMI states that candidate attorney applications need to reach the firm by 15 March each year.

Source: GMI Attorneys Careers

Herold Gie's careers page states that applications for candidate attorney positions for 2027 close on 31 March 2026.

Source: Herold Gie Careers

Cluver Markotter, a leading Stellenbosch firm, states on its careers page that applications for 2027 candidate attorney positions closed on 31 March 2026. The firm also runs a three-day vacation programme each June (the 2026 programme ran 17 to 19 June, with applications due by 29 May 2026), which lets law students see its departments before applying. The row stays visible so candidates can plan for the next cycle, which on this pattern would close around the end of March.

Source: Cluver Markotter Careers

SECTION27, a public interest law centre, advertised one two-year candidate attorney post starting in January 2027 and required an LLB. Applications went by email and only shortlisted candidates were contacted. Its own page states that late applications would not be considered. The advert was published in March, so check its news page around March to April for the next round.

Source: SECTION27 Candidate Attorney 2027-2028

Dunsters published a specific application intake period for 2027 of 1 March 2026 to 17 April 2026.

Source: Dunsters Careers

Bowmans runs two Bowmans Break vacation programmes a year. The Winter Programme application window runs from 1 February to 30 April. The Bowmans graduate page currently labels both windows "Summer", which appears to be a typo: its own Leaply listings are titled Bowmans Break Winter Programme 2026 and Bowmans Break Summer Programme 2026.

Source: Bowmans Graduate Recruitment

The current public call accepted applications for the Candidate Attorney Programme covering 2027 and 2028 intakes.

Source: Dentons South Africa Candidate Attorneys

STBB published a 30 April 2026 closing date for 2027 articles, with interviews during June 2026.

Source: STBB Apply For Articles

PPM says its candidate legal practitioner recruitment process is typically completed by the end of May each year and that if a CV was not in by the end of April, the deadline was likely missed.

Source: PPM Attorneys Recruitment

CTH's own careers page states plainly: "Applications close at the end of April each year." Corrected 18 August 2026 from a previously recorded end-June date, which did not match the firm's current site text. The April 2026 deadline for the 2027 intake has now passed. Monitor the CTH careers page for the 2028 intake, expected to open around April 2027.

Source: CTH Careers

VDT Attorneys is based in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria. Its own careers page states candidate attorney applications close on 15 May each year (application letter, CV, full academic record, matric certificate, and two written references, sent to info@vdt.co.za). This year's window has closed; the next opens ahead of the recurring 15 May 2027 deadline.

Source: VDT Attorneys Candidate Attorneys

The Winter Vacation Work Programme runs in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The current public call closed on 16 May 2026 at 17:00.

Source: Dentons South Africa Vacation Programme

STBB lists a virtual vacation programme on 7, 8 and 9 July 2026, with applications closing on 31 May 2026.

Source: STBB Apply For Articles

HSF Kramer Johannesburg confirms it was recruiting Candidate Attorneys to commence articles in January 2028, with applications closing 31 May 2026. That window has now passed. The firm recruits almost exclusively from its vacation scheme, making direct offers only in exceptional circumstances. Trainees rotate through Dispute Resolution, Corporate, Competition/Regulation & Trade, and Projects/Energy & Infrastructure, with PLT programme fees and exam costs covered. Monitor the early-careers page for the 2029 intake and vacation scheme windows.

Source: HSF Kramer Practical Vocational Training

The 2027 Candidate Attorney Programme application deadline was 5 June 2026. The row remains visible so candidates can track cycle timing for future intakes.

Source: Ka-Mbonane Cooper 2027 Candidate Attorney Programme

SERI's Candidate Attorney intake closed 30 June 2026. The organisation has indicated the next round will reopen on or after 1 January 2027. Monitor SERI's job opportunities page directly for the announcement.

Source: SERI Job Opportunities

The NPA's 2027 Aspirant Prosecutor Programme advert gave a closing date of 27 July 2026, with the programme starting on 1 March 2027. Applicants email a Z83 form and a CV and may apply to only one training centre. Late applications are not processed. This is a prosecutor training programme, not articles of clerkship. Watch the NPA site around mid-year for the next round.

Source: NPA 2027 Aspirant Prosecutor Programme advert

Baker McKenzie's Johannesburg office is running an in-person Insight Day on 8 September 2026 (09:30-15:00) for LLB students, including dual-degree students, in their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of study. Registration opened 21 August 2026 and closes 24 August 2026. Places are limited and attendance is by confirmation only; registering does not guarantee a spot. This is the firm's pipeline event for its Candidate Attorney recruitment, not a job offer or the Candidate Attorney application itself.

Source: Baker McKenzie Insight Day Registration

Werksmans' general online-application page states the recurring Summer CA/PVT window runs July to 30 September, but the specific live 2028 Candidate Attorney Programme (PVT) listing shows applications closing 31 August 2026. Applicants must have a 65-70% average, hold or be completing an LLB, B Com Law, BA Law, or BAccLLB, and must not still be studying in 2028. Werksmans names Analytical Thinking, oral and written Communication, Problem Solving, and Time Management as the beneficial behavioural competencies it screens for alongside academic results. Apply directly through Werksmans' own online application page, not via a third-party portal.

Source: Werksmans Online Application

Barnard Incorporated Attorneys is a full-service commercial law firm based in Brooklyn, Pretoria, covering corporate/commercial law, dispute resolution, property and notarial work, and brand/IP protection, with an entrepreneurial, growth-focused client base of founders and business owners rather than only large corporates. This Candidate Attorney opening requires only an LLB (BCom Law or BA Law preferred) and 0 years of experience, though prior vacation work or shadowing experience is preferred. Applications are not submitted through an online portal: candidates must email a CV directly to careers@barnardinc.co.za before the 18 September 2026, 17h00 deadline. Sourced directly from the firm's own recruitment specification (shared via LinkedIn), not a third-party job board.

Source: Barnard Incorporated Attorneys (apply by email, no online portal)

Legal Aid SA's Future Attorneys Recruitment Programme FAQ confirms the 2026 round of applications opened at 9am on Monday, 14 September and closed on Friday, 25 September 2026. The FAQ states that 2026 applications are for 2026 placement, with candidate attorney positions filled as vacancies arise at offices nationwide, and that the minimum degree average accepted is 60%. The programme reopens annually.

Source: Legal Aid SA Future Attorneys FAQ

Werksmans confirms the Summer Vacation Programme application window opened in July 2026 and closes 30 September 2026. The firm recruits 2–3 years in advance. Applications are submitted through the online graduate portal.

Source: Werksmans Online Application

CDH's Apply4Law portal confirms the Summer Vacation Programme application window opens 1 August 2026 and closes 30 September 2026. The programme itself takes place in November and December 2026 and serves as the primary selection process for the 2028 Candidate Attorney intake. CDH recruits approximately 30 candidate attorneys annually. Now open for the 2026 intake.

Source: CDH Apply4Law Vacation Programme

Pinsent Masons Johannesburg has opened a one-year Internship programme (not a short vacation scheme) for the Johannesburg office, starting January 2027. Applications open 3 August 2026 and close 30 September 2026 at 17:00 SA time. Requires South African citizenship, a completed or final-year LLB, and 65% or above at university. The recruitment process is registration, an online blended assessment (situational judgment, written exercise, video questions), an in-person assessment centre, then an offer. Successful interns are encouraged to apply for Candidate Attorney positions during recruitment. Apply via the firm's own online application portal. CVs and cover letters are not accepted. The firm names eight attributes it screens for: attention to detail (reading and absorbing large amounts of reference material, spotting errors quickly), an interest in business (genuine curiosity about how business works, reflecting the firm's purpose-led approach with law at the core), intellectual capability (learning new skills and concepts quickly, curious and open-minded, seeking feedback), social adaptability (comfortable engaging with people from different backgrounds), drive (passion for excellence and going above and beyond), personal responsibility (owning both successes and setbacks as a route to improvement), positive impact (confidence to express opinions and assert a point of view, being a compelling and persuasive communicator), and organisation (prioritising tasks and managing time and resources efficiently).

Source: Pinsent Masons South Africa Internship

Spoor & Fisher confirms 2028 vocational training applications close in September 2026. Applications are submitted by email to articles@spoor.com with a cover letter, CV, ID, matric certificate, and academic record. The 2027 cycle extended to 30 March 2026 and is now closed. Note: Spoor & Fisher has replaced its traditional vacation programme with an IP Day event. See the separate IP Day entry below for the next cycle.

Source: Spoor & Fisher Candidate Attorneys

Werksmans runs one application for its Summer Vacation Programme 2026 and its 2029 Candidate Attorney (CA/PVT) Programme, in Johannesburg and the Western Cape, closing 30 September 2026. Werksmans' own graduate page confirms the summer window closes on 30 September and that it recruits two to three years in advance; the 2029 intake year is stated on the Graduate Employers of Choice listing for this programme rather than on Werksmans' own page. Applications go through Werksmans' graduate portal (Leaply); one application covers both vacation work and the CA/PVT programme. Open to LLB, BCom Law, BA Law and BAccLLB students.

Source: Graduate Employers of Choice (Werksmans listing)

Adams & Adams confirms vacation work for the 2028 Candidate Attorney programme was scheduled for July 2026. Applications for the 2028 CA programme are now closed. The firm does not publish a specific application closing date publicly and instructs candidates to apply through their website only. Bursary applications reopen annually on 1 October and close 30 November.

Source: Adams & Adams Graduate Recruitment

DKVG, a Cape Town firm with offices in the city centre, Tyger Valley and Claremont, states that it appoints its candidate legal practitioners from attendees of its structured vacation programme. As at 25 September 2026, its vacation programme page says applications are currently closed. Watch the page for the next vacation programme, which is the route into articles at the firm.

Source: DKVG Vacation Programme

DLA Piper's 2028 Candidate Attorney Programme listing now redirects to its applications-closed page. No current public reopening date is shown.

Source: DLA Piper Careers Applications Closed

Fairbridges confirms the 2026 Vacation Work Programme (Cape Town and Johannesburg) is now closed.

Source: Fairbridges Careers

The same page states that applications for the 2026 Winter Vacation Work Programme are closed.

Source: Fasken Johannesburg Law Students

KISCH IP is a specialist intellectual property firm with a history dating back to 1874. It recently advertised for a Patent Candidate Attorney in its patent department (drafting, filing and prosecuting local and international patent applications), but as at 25 September 2026 that vacancy is no longer on its careers portal. Patent candidate attorneys normally need a science or engineering degree alongside law studies. Check the portal for the next candidate attorney vacancy.

Source: KISCH IP Careers

The Legal Resources Centre, a public interest human rights law centre, has previously recruited candidate attorneys for Johannesburg (National Office), Durban, Makhanda and Cape Town on 24-month contracts, requiring an LLB (LLM advantageous), a demonstrated commitment to human rights and social justice, and strong academic and writing ability. As at 25 September 2026, the LRC careers page lists no open vacancies. Check the careers page for the next recruitment round.

Source: Legal Resources Centre Careers

Lowndes Dlamini is a Sandton commercial firm with a genuine careers section, but their own site states plainly: "There are no vacancies at present. Please check back regularly." Monitor for a future candidate attorney or vacation work announcement.

Source: Lowndes Dlamini Careers

Martin Vermaak Attorneys is a Sandton divorce and family law specialist firm. Their own vacancies page lists a Candidate Legal Practitioner / Candidate Attorney role (LLB required, start date 5 January 2026), but under their own "Recently Filled" heading, not current vacancies, confirmed via a direct check on 8 August 2026. Monitor their vacancies page for the next cycle.

Source: Martin Vermaak Attorneys Vacancies

Mkhabela Huntley Attorneys is a Sandton firm whose practice areas include corporate and commercial, employment, energy, business rescue, litigation, constitutional and administrative law, and technology, media and communications. Its team page shows candidate attorneys who joined in January 2026, but as at 25 September 2026 no open candidate attorney application is published on its website. Check the careers page for the next intake.

Source: Mkhabela Huntley Candidate Attorneys

Pagdens is a Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) firm running a standing two-year candidate attorney programme starting each January. Their own site states applications must be received "by the end of February in the year preceding" the January intake, meaning the window for the January 2027 intake closed end-February 2026 and is now closed. The next window (for the January 2028 intake) is expected to open around February 2027. Apply via janjan@pagdens.co.za when it reopens.

Source: Pagdens Candidate Attorneys

Savage Jooste & Adams says candidate attorney applications close in the second week of May each year, with interviews in June and July.

Source: Savage Jooste & Adams Careers

Venns Attorneys is a Pietermaritzburg and Durban firm serving the KZN Midlands. Its own careers page states candidate attorney applications close on 15 March each year, with interviews in April. The currently posted round is for the 2026/2027 cohort and that window has already closed; the next window is expected to open ahead of the recurring 15 March deadline in 2027. Apply via articles@venns.co.za when it reopens.

Source: Venns Attorneys Candidate Attorneys

Webber Wentzel's own careers page now confirms applications for the 2027 and 2028 Candidate Attorney Programmes are closed. The firm has moved on to the 2029 intake, tracked separately below.

Source: Webber Wentzel Apply To Join Us

White & Case's South Africa careers page now states that applications for articles are closed for 2028. The firm has moved on to the 2029 intake, tracked separately below.

Source: White & Case South Africa Careers