Overview   

Trial advocacy is both an art and a discipline demanding a balance of legal expertise, communication skill and professional decorum. From crafting persuasive arguments to managing courtroom dynamics and responding effectively under pressure, effective advocacy relies on preparation, confidence and ethical conduct. 

This webinar offers practical guidance on trial communication, structured questioning and the professional management of interactions with witnesses, colleagues and judicial officers. 

Join Adv. Lisa Thomas on 21 November 2025, from 10h00 to 12h00, as she unpacks key advocacy techniques and trial etiquette designed to enhance your confidence, clarity and professionalism in judicial proceedings. 

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Apply key communication principles for persuasive and professional trial advocacy. 

• Structure and deliver effective questioning during examination-in-chief, cross-examination and re-examination. 

• Develop strong and structured opening and closing addresses to the court. 

• Manage difficult witnesses, opposing counsel and judicial interventions with composure. 

• Uphold courtroom etiquette, ethics and professionalism across all levels of practice. 

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics:  

• Courtroom Communication Principles  

  •  Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques in court  

  •  Maintaining professional tone and demeanour across judicial forums  

  •  Using clear and persuasive language effectively  

  •  Active listening and adapting to courtroom dynamics  

•  Questioning (Examination-in-Chief / Cross-Examination / Re-Examination)  

  • Objectives and strategies for each phase of questioning  

  • Formulating open and closed questions for clarity and control  

  • Managing the flow of examination and avoiding common objections  

  • Illustrative examples of effective questioning techniques  

• Addressing the Court (Opening / Closing / Incidental)  

  • Structuring persuasive opening statements  

  • Summarising evidence and highlighting legal arguments in closing  

  • Handling incidental applications during proceedings  

  • Tailoring arguments to the judge’s reasoning and temperament  

• Difficult Witnesses / Colleagues / Judicial Officers  

  • Managing hostile or uncooperative witnesses effectively  

  • De-escalating confrontations with opposing counsel or colleagues  

  • Responding constructively to judicial interventions  

  • Maintaining composure and professionalism under pressure  

• Supplementary Resource: Courtroom Etiquette and Advocacy Guide  

  • Standards of decorum and appropriate dress in various courts  

  • Common protocol breaches and strategies to avoid them  

  • Best practices for maintaining ethical and professional courtroom conduct  

About the presenter 

Lisa Thomas 

Adv Lisa Thomas is a former criminal defence advocate and in-house counsel in Durban, Lisa has seen the law practice from both sides. She graduated with her LLB, completed her pupillage, and was admitted as an advocate in 2008. Her current area of interest is in alternative dispute resolution, specifically mediation. She is a maverick for humanity and ethics within the legal profession in South Africa with a focus on candidate attorneys 

Who should attend? 

The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar: 

• Candidate attorneys 

• Law students  

• Pupil advocates  

• Paralegals 

• Junior legal practitioners   

Price 

• R 450.00 - Online admission - Individual.  

• Group Price 1 - From R337 per person (up to 5 users)   

• Group Price 2 - From R260 per person (up to 10 users)   

• Group Price 3 - From R224 per person (over 11 users  

Steps to register for the event:  

If you already have a profile, login and register for the webinar. 

If you don’t have a profile, create a free profile then login and register for the webinar. 

Click here  to create a free profile (There is no charge to create a profile and gain access to our free Monthly Practice Management Series). 

Click here  to find out about the Technical Resource Centre & CPD Subscription options. 

Additional material 

By attending this webinar you will be provided with: 

• A summarised slide presentation. 

• Reference documents and/ or course material where available. 

• You can ask questions during the webinar and you will also have access to the presenter after the webinar. 

About SA Legal Academy  

Welcome to SA Legal Academy (SALA), a provider of courses to help you succeed in your chosen career. We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality training and support, to ensure that your skills and knowledge are up to date and ready to face the challenges of the modern workplace. Our courses are designed to ensure that you reach your professional goals and enhance your career prospects. With our experienced training staff and comprehensive resources, you can be confident that you will receive the highest quality of training from SA Legal Academy.  

SALA is a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, with 125% procurement recognition. Training spend on certain solutions can be allocated against the Skills Development element of the B-BBEE Scorecard through accredited and nonaccredited training or claimed through SETA grants. In addition, 25% of your Skills Expenditure can be claimed on non-accredited training or courses.  

Corporate Training Solutions  

At SALA, we recognize the evolving needs of businesses in today's dynamic environment. Beyond our standard webinar offerings, we provide tailored corporate training solutions designed to empower your team with the latest in legal and professional skills. Whether you're looking for online sessions or face-to-face training, our programs are crafted to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.  

Drawing inspiration from modern training methodologies, our corporate solutions are interactive, adaptable, and focused on real-world applications. We prioritize hands-on learning, ensuring your team can immediately apply their newfound knowledge in practical scenarios.  

Interested in a bespoke corporate training experience? Reach out to us at [email protected] or call 012 941 0448. Together, let's design a training program that elevates your team's capabilities and aligns with your organizational goals.  

Contact Us For More Information  

Have any questions or need any assistance? Contact us today!   

• Online chat through our website.   

• Phone: +27 (0) 12 941 0448   

• E-mail: [email protected]