Overview 

Legal costs are often complex, especially the discretionary nature of cost awards in litigation. Courts use these awards to ensure fairness and accountability during legal proceedings. It's crucial for practitioners to understand how courts exercise this discretion, as it helps in advising clients, managing expectations, and preparing them for the financial implications of litigation. 

The webinar will also cover key factors influencing cost orders, including party conduct, case complexity, and fairness. 

Join Adv. Dwight Synman on 19 November 2024, from 13h00 to 15h00 as he guides on how to use cost awards strategically in negotiations and settlements, improving litigation strategies and client management.   

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the key types of costs orders available in South African courts and the implications for litigants and legal practitioners.  

• Learn the factors influencing a court’s decision on costs and how judicial discretion can lead to different outcomes depending on case-specific factors. 

• Understand how legal costs impact litigation strategy, including the decision to settle, pursue interlocutory applications, or proceed to trial.  

• Be equipped with knowledge of the process of taxation of costs and how to draft bills of costs that comply with court rules and avoid unnecessary reductions. 

• Understand how courts approach legal costs differently in constitutional and public interest cases. 

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics: 

• Introduction to legal costs. 

• General rule: Costs follow the result. 

• Types of costs orders. 

• Judicial discretion in costs awards. 

• Taxation of costs. 

• Costs in interlocutory applications. 

• Costs orders in specific contexts. 

• Cost implications for settlement and tender offers. 

• Wasted costs and unnecessary litigation. 

• Costs in the Magistrates’ Court vs. High Court 

• Costs orders in appeals. 

• Ethical considerations in costs. 

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: 

• Advocates. 

• Attorneys. 

• Estates administrators. 

• Corporate Legal Professionals. 

• Legal Academic. 

• Candidate attorneys. 

• Law Students. 

• Paralegals. 

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]