The Corporate Counsel Association's Certified Corporate Counsel Professional Designation Collection

Introduction

A skilled and capable in-house legal team is essential to any organization, providing legal services, advice, and strategic guidance to both the business and its employees. In-house counsel must operate as trusted legal and business advisors, equipped not only with legal qualifications but also with commercial insight, specialist skills, and a commitment to ethical, professional, and diligent conduct.

The Corporate Counsel Association is dedicated to advancing the in-house legal profession in South Africa. It is formally recognized by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as the Professional Body representing Corporate Counsel in the country.

Certified Professional Designations: Overview

In the past, South Africa lacked a defined professional or occupational qualification framework for in-house legal practitioners and support staff. With Corporate Counsel's recognition by SAQA, this gap has been formally addressed.

The Corporate Counsel Association has established a collection of certified professional designations that set the national standard for the in-house legal profession. These designations are underpinned by robust Competency Frameworks and assessment tools, developed in collaboration with:

• the South African in-house legal community,

• international bodies such as In-House Counsel Worldwide (ICW) and the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACCA),

• Corporate Counsel members, and

• SAQA itself.

The Designation Pathway

The Corporate Counsel Association awards four certified professional designations aligned with the progression of a legal career within a corporate legal department: 

• Corporate Legal Support Practitioner
• Corporate Legal Counsel
• Corporate Senior Legal Counsel
• Corporate General Counsel

These designations are designed to:

• elevate the role of in-house legal professionals,
• validate their skills, experience, and ethical standards,
• support career progression from legal support to senior leadership roles, and
• help practitioners transition from legal specialists to trusted business advisors.

Earning a Corporate Counsel Association certified designation demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and excellence—whether at the entry level, mid-career, or executive level.

Principles, Criteria, and Rules for Awarding and Revoking Designations

The Corporate Counsel Association's certified professional designation system is governed by the Award of Professional Designations Policy and is open to voluntary participation. Those who do not hold a Corporate Counsel Association certified professional designation may still legally practice as in-house Corporate Counsel in South Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• be employed in a legal support or Corporate Counsel role within a legal department,

• be a member of the Corporate Counsel Association in good standing,

• submit a formal application for assessment,

• provide testimonials from their line manager and/or peers,

• meet all criteria for the specific designation, including required qualifications and recognition of prior learning,

• adhere to the Corporate Counsel Association’s Codes and Policies, and

• commit to annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.

Only individuals who have been formally assessed and certified by the Corporate Counsel Association may use a Corporate Counsel Professional Designation title.

Validity and Renewal

Designations are valid for a period of 12 months. Renewal is subject to ongoing compliance with CPD requirements and continued alignment with Corporate Counsel standards and policies.

Revocation of Designation

The Corporate Counsel Association may revoke a designation if the individual:

• ceases to be a member,
• is no longer in good standing,
• breaches any Code or Policy, including the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct,
• no longer holds a qualifying legal role within an organization, or
• is no longer professionally active in South Africa.

Other Policies related to the certified Professional Designation program

• Professional Designation Competency Framework
• Continuous Professional Development Code and Guidelines
• Recognition of prior learning policy
• Foreign qualifications policy