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Company: Road Accident Fund
Location: South Africa
Closing Date: 12 August 2026
Are you an unemployed law graduate looking to gain hands-on, practical legal experience within a major public institution in South Africa? The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has officially opened applications for its Litigation & Mediation Internship Programme for 2026.
This 18-month internship opportunity is designed to develop young talent, offering successful candidates practical exposure to legal proceedings, court rules, litigation management systems, and dispute resolution processes. Below is a detailed guide covering the key responsibilities, qualification criteria, salary details, and step-by-step application instructions.
Company Overview
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is a public entity established to provide dedicated social security and indemnity cover to road users within South Africa. The RAF’s core mission is to deliver timely and equitable assistance to individuals affected by motor vehicle accidents through appropriate social benefits, ensuring financial relief and rehabilitation support for qualifying victims.
Job Overview
- Job Title: Internship: Litigation & Mediation (Pretoria x1, Polokwane x1, Thohoyandou x1)
- Reference Number: 6652
- Division: 3400
- Employment Type: Internship (18 Months)
- Location: Pretoria (Gauteng), Polokwane (Limpopo), and Thohoyandou (Limpopo)
- T.A.S.K Grade: IN
- Disability (EE targeted role): No (However, preference is given to people with disabilities in line with Employment Equity principles)
- Job Posting Salary: R96,000.00 per annum (Awarded as a monthly stipend)
- Job Posting End Date: 12 August 2026
Job Purpose
The Road Accident Fund is committed to youth skills development by offering unemployed graduates work-based experience. The purpose of this internship program is to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and practical workplace experience in the legal sector over an 18-month period. A verification process will be conducted to confirm that applicants have not previously worked within the Republic of South Africa in a similar capacity.
Key Responsibilities & Work Experience
During the 18-month programme, interns will receive practical, work-based exposure across several legal and administrative operations, including:
- Conducting administrative duties within the department.
- Drafting correspondence, pleadings, affidavits, notices, applications, and related legal documents.
- Practical application of court rules in daily legal practice.
- Observing and assisting State Attorneys during court appearances.
- Supporting State Attorneys in litigation and dispute resolution processes.
- Filing notices and serving documents/Notices to Plaintiff’s Attorneys.
- Monitoring court judgments and reporting on case outcomes.
- Attending and participating in continuous professional development learning programs (e.g., LEAD & LexisNexis).
- Filing Bills of Costs upon receipt and providing support to oppose Taxations.
- Preparing for appearances and appearing before the Taxing Master.
- Filing outcomes and uploading records onto the Litigation Management System.
- Uploading to and maintaining CaseLines profiles (region-specific to Pretoria & Johannesburg).
Minimum Requirements
To be eligible for the RAF Litigation & Mediation Internship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age Limit: Must be unemployed graduates between the ages of 18 and 25.
- Educational Qualifications: Must possess one of the following qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- BA in Law
- BCom in Law
- Grade 12 / Matric Certificate
- Employment History:
- Must be currently unemployed.
- Must never have been employed in the field of Legal/Law or a related field.
- Must never have previously participated in an internship programme in Legal/Law or a related field.
- Must not have served as an intern before. (Note: Unassigned or non-disclosed prior internship experience will result in immediate disqualification if discovered later).
Technical & Behavioral Competencies (Preferred Skills)
Candidates are expected to display the following skills and attributes:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- High attention to detail (detail orientation).
- A strong desire and potential to learn.
- Self-motivation and initiative.
- Basic computer skills.
- Ability to prioritize tasks effectively as needed.
Required Documents
Applicants must attach certified copies of the following documents to their application:
- Certified copy of Grade 12 / Matric certificate.
- Certified copy of Bachelor of Laws (LLB), BA in Law, or BCom in Law degree certificate.
- Certified copy of South African Identity Document (ID).
- Certified copy of Academic Transcript (Mandatory: Applications submitted without academic transcripts will be automatically eliminated).
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A Motivational Letter (explaining why your application should be considered, max 3 pages total for CV and letter combined).
Salary and Benefits
- Stipend: The internship offers a total annual package/salary of R96,000.00, disbursed as a monthly stipend throughout the 18-month period.
- Benefits: Specific employee benefits (such as medical aid or pension) are not disclosed in the official advertisement.
Location & Employment Type
- Location: Positions are available in Pretoria (Gauteng), Polokwane (Limpopo), and Thohoyandou (Limpopo).
- Employment Type: Full-time, 18-Month Fixed-Term Internship Contract.
Closing Date
- Closing Date: 12 August 2026
- Application Limit: ONLY the first 100 applications will be considered.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Access the Online Portal: Go to the official RAF e-recruitment platform. Hand-delivered applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
- Subject Line Specification: Ensure you clearly indicate the province and the reference number (6652) for the internship position you are applying for in the subject line.
- Prepare Application Documents: Combine your short CV, motivational letter (maximum 3 pages total), certified ID, Matric certificate, tertiary degree certificate, and academic transcript into your online upload.
- Application Limits: Applicants are strictly restricted to applying for a maximum of 3 positions only across the platform (completing a separate application for each reference number).
- Submit Early: Due to the strict threshold where only the first 100 applications are considered, submit your application as early as possible before the portal closes.
Important Notes for Applicants
- Hand Delivery: No hand-delivered applications will be accepted.
- Verification & Security Vetting: Prospective employees will undergo verification to check previous work experience in South Africa, as well as formal security vetting.
- Disqualification Clause: Non-disclosure of prior legal employment or internship participation will result in automatic disqualification at any stage of discovery.
- Employment Equity: The RAF subscribes to Employment Equity principles, and preference will be given to candidates with disabilities.
- Correspondence Standard: If you have not received any response or correspondence from the RAF within six (6) weeks from the closing date (12 August 2026), please consider your application unsuccessful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the closing date for the RAF Legal Internship 2026?
The closing date for applications is 12 August 2026. However, applications may close sooner if the limit of 100 applications is reached.
Can I apply if I have previously completed a legal internship elsewhere?
No. Applicants who have previously participated in a legal or law-related internship, or who have prior formal work experience in the legal field, are not eligible.
Are hand-delivered applications accepted?
No. All applications must be submitted online via the RAF e-recruitment platform. Hand-delivered documents are not accepted.
What qualifications do I need for this internship?
You must hold a Matric certificate and an LLB, BA in Law, or BCom in Law degree.
What is the age requirement for applicants?
Applicants must be unemployed graduates between 18 and 25 years old.
Conclusion
The Road Accident Fund Litigation & Mediation Internship for 2026 presents an exceptional entry point into legal practice and court administration for young South African graduates. With exposure to State Attorneys, CaseLines management, court appearances, and dispute resolution, it serves as a valuable foundation for a legal career. Ensure all certified documents and academic transcripts are submitted via the RAF e-recruitment platform before the closing date or before the 100-application cap is reached.
