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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Lawyer's assistant (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellter/Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte)

Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellter / Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte

You support lawyers in a law firm: case files, deadlines, client contact and fees. A 3-year training, in a legal occupation without being a lawyer.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3 years36 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€1,100 to €1,500gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a lawyer's assistant does

They work in a law firm: they keep case files and diaries, monitor deadlines, welcome clients, prepare legal letters and calculate fees and costs.

Welcome

Receive the firm's clients, inform them and organise appointments and meetings.

Follow files

Keep case files, monitor deadlines and prepare civil procedure documents and letters.

Calculate

Draw up fees and court costs, manage payments and the accounts of each case.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you like law and the precision of legal texts
you are organised and meet deadlines to the letter
you can stay discreet about clients' affairs
you enjoy writing and communicating with clients

Less suitable if…

you do not like office work and written files
you struggle with the pressure of deadlines to meet
you want to plead in court yourself

Advantages

A legal occupation reached through training
Qualification recognised throughout Germany
Contact with clients and courts
Further training possible towards the Rechtsfachwirt

Difficulties

Deadlines to be met to the letter
Difficult legal vocabulary in German
Sedentary work, a lot of case files
No collective agreement: pay varies

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

08:30

Post and the firm's diarySort the post, check the lawyer's diary and spot the deadlines that are approaching.

09:30

Welcoming a clientReceive a client, explain how things will proceed and open a file with their details.

11:00

Drafting a letterPrepare a letter or a procedural document following the lawyer's instructions.

13:30

Calculating feesDraw up the statement of fees and costs of a closed case for the client.

15:00

Electronic exchange with the courtPractise sending a document through the electronic legal channel and checking it was sent.

16:30

Filing and confidentialityTidy the files, respect data protection and prepare the next day's work.

Technical skills

Case file managementDeadline monitoringCivil law and procedureFees and costsElectronic exchangesProfessional English

Personal qualities

AccuracyDiscretionOrganisation skillsPeople skillsTeam spirit

The training

How the Ausbildung works, year by year

In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.

3 to 4 days a week at the company

1–2 days school

Year 1

Office and clients

≈ €1,100gross / month

Organisation of the firm
Welcoming and client relations
Basic accounting

Year 2

Law and procedure

≈ €1,300gross / month

Civil law, commercial law
Civil procedure
Intermediate exam

Year 3

Fees and enforcement

≈ €1,500gross / month

Fees and court costs
Enforcement
Final exam

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: ausbildung.de, fourchette 1ere-derniere annee communiquee par le client ; annee intermediaire estimee par interpolation lineaire, non verifiee independamment sur la page. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification

An intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) takes place at the start of the 2nd year. The final exam has five papers: the firm's business processes (15%), client care (15%), law applied to a lawyer's work (30%), fees and costs (30%), economics and society (10%). You obtain the certificate as a lawyer's assistant (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellter), issued under the authority of the chamber of lawyers (Rechtsanwaltskammer).

Requirements and prospects

Applying, then moving on

What you need to apply

Education levelBaccalaureate level is required.

German levelThe required level is B2. Good technical vocabulary for the trade is a real plus.

Physical fitnessAn office job, mostly sedentary, with contact with clients and work on screen and on case files during the day.

Documents to prepare

CV and cover letter in German
Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayLegal assistant in a firmA post in a law firm, keeping case files, deadlines and client relations in order.

With experienceRechtsfachwirtFurther qualification at bachelor level, after training and 2 years of practice, taken before the chamber of lawyers.

Longer termOngoing specialisationSpecialise through further training in an area of law, depending on the firm where you work.

Already B2? Take action

Already have German level B2 and looking for a training contract?

Employers in the “Management, finance and administration” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Lawyer's assistant (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellter/Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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Free registration on AZUFA.

Your pathway with Campus Germany

We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany

Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.

Check my eligibility

Take the test

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80 Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Need assistance

Prepare your German

DZK, our language centre

Our own language centre, in Douala. Elsewhere: partner centres, call us.

See the courses

Get the contract

AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

From German A1 to the first day of training in Germany

A pathway in a loopEach step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.

1
Check my eligibility
Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
DZK
Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
AZUFA
It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
AZUFA
It is always us

See the detail of the 8 steps

1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
3. Learn German, from A1 to B2 (DZK)
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
4. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
5. Find the company and sign the training contract (AZUFA)
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
6. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
Run by Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
Run by Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
Run by Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us

Stay informed

Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFAOur platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.

Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.

Occupation brochure

Take this sheet with you

Two documents to read offline or show your family: the 5-page brochure (occupation, training, pay, pathway) and the one-page flyer with the essentials.

Occupation brochure

Occupation brochurePDF, 5 pagesDownload the brochure

Flyer

FlyerPDF, 1 A4 pageDownload the flyer

Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

What German level is required?

Level B2 is required. You do not need perfect German, but you must be able to follow lessons and understand safety instructions.

How long does the training last?

36 months, i.e. 3 years.

Am I paid during the training?

Yes. You receive a monthly pay throughout the training, and it generally increases each year.

Where can I take the eligibility test?

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Where can I learn German?

In Douala, at our language centre DZK. Elsewhere, at our partner language centres: call us to find the nearest one.

Who issues the lawyer's assistant qualification?

The competent chamber of lawyers (Rechtsanwaltskammer) organises the final exam and issues the certificate, not the chamber of commerce.

Is the training pay set by a collective agreement?

There is no collective agreement for this occupation. Pay is therefore set in the training contract with the firm and can vary from one firm to another.

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Ready to find out whether this training is for you?

Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.

Check my eligibility →Need assistance Write on WhatsApp

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Douala office : Rond-point Maetur Bonamoussadi – Nice Cream building (4th floor), opposite the COGENI hardware store, Douala, Cameroon

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