Overview 

In today’s global economy, no legal professional can afford to think locally. Once a transaction crosses a national border, familiar legal principles become intertwined with foreign laws, international conventions and complex enforcement systems. A contract that seems watertight under South African law could easily collapse under English, German or Chinese law thereby exposing clients to unexpected risks. 

This webinar will show participants how to choose the right governing law, select effective dispute resolution mechanisms and structure contracts for enforceability wherever counterparties operate. 

Join Adv. Dwight Snyman on 26 November 2025, from 10h00 to 12h00, as he explores international contracting and shares practical tools to help you draft, interpret and enforce agreements that remain robust across borders. 

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Understand the legal foundations of cross-border contracts, including the role of governing law, jurisdiction and dispute resolution in ensuring enforceability. 

• Identify and mitigate key risks in international transactions through sound drafting and due diligence. 

• Draft and interpret essential cross-border clauses such as choice of law, arbitration, force majeure and limitation of liability. 

• Navigate the impact of international instruments such as the CISG, the UNIDROIT Principles and the New York Convention. 

• Develop strategic foresight to approach international contracts as frameworks for mutual protection and commercial stability. 

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics: 

• Introduction to Cross-Border Contracting 

  • Definition and scope of international contracts 

  • Distinction between domestic and transnational agreements 

  • Sources of international contract law (national law, trade usages, lex mercatoria) 

  • The role of private international law in cross-border transactions 

• Governing Law and Choice of Law Clauses 

  • Doctrine of party autonomy 

  • Determining the proper law of the contract 

  • Mandatory and overriding mandatory provisions (lois de police) 

  • Application of the Rome I Regulation and comparative frameworks 

  • Interaction between national law and conventions such as the CISG 

• Jurisdiction and Forum Selection 

  • Principles of jurisdiction under private international law 

  • Exclusive vs. non-exclusive jurisdiction clauses 

  • Forum non conveniens and parallel proceedings 

  • Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments 

• Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution 

  • Arbitration as a preferred mechanism for international disputes 

  • Drafting effective arbitration clauses (seat, rules, and institutions) 

  • Recognition and enforcement of awards under the New York Convention 

  • Mediation and multi-tier dispute resolution frameworks 

• Formation and Validity of International Contracts 

  • Offer and acceptance in cross-border transactions 

  • Impact of the CISG on contract formation 

  • Capacity, consent and defects in formation 

  • Formal validity and public policy restrictions 

• Performance, Breach, and Remedies 

  • Interpretation of obligations under divergent legal systems 

  • Impossibility, frustration and force majeure 

  • Comparative remedies under CISG and common law 

• Risk Allocation and Drafting Techniques 

  • Structuring payment and delivery terms (INCOTERMS 2020) 

  • Limitation of liability, indemnities and warranties 

  • Confidentiality and non-disclosure clauses 

  • Best practices for drafting governing law and dispute resolution provisions 

• Enforcement of Judgments and Awards 

  • Recognition and enforcement mechanisms 

  • Enforcement under the Hague Choice of Court and New York Conventions 

  • Asset tracing and execution in foreign jurisdictions 

• International Regulatory and Compliance Considerations 

  • Sanctions, export controls, and anti-corruption laws 

  • AML and counter-terrorism compliance 

  • Data protection and cross-border data transfers (GDPR) 

• Emerging Trends and Practical Guidance 

  • Digital trade and smart contracts 

  •  Blockchain-based transactions and e-commerce law 

  • Cultural and legal negotiation strategies across jurisdiction 

About the presenter 

Adv. Dwight Snyman 

Adv. Dwight Snyman is an admitted member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates and is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Council as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. Adv. Snyman completed articles of clerkship, and attorney’s competency exams under the auspices of the Wits Law Clinic. He completed his Advocacy pupillage under the tutelage of the esteemed Adv. Louis Du Bruyn. 

Adv. Snyman has had opportunity and success in litigation, in the High and Magistrates’ Courts of the republic, the CCMA, Disciplinary Hearings and assorted other venues and forums, and has become possessed of practical litigation experience beyond what would normally be expected from a practitioner of his age and seniority. He is the holder of a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) from the University of Cape Town, and postgraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of the Witwatersrand, for which he was accorded the honour of being on the Dean’s list for his academic performance. 

Who should attend? 

The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar: 

• Attorneys. 

• Corporate Legal Professionals. 

• Legal Academics. 

• Candidate attorneys. 

• Law Students. 

• Paralegals. 

Price 

• R 400.00 - 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 recognise 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]