Overview   

Effective litigation requires not only a sound understanding of procedural law but also a strategic approach to mediation, discovery and witness preparation. Each stage of the litigation process, from pre-trial mediation to managing evidence and preparing witnesses, demands careful planning, ethical consideration and precision.  

This webinar provides a comprehensive exploration of litigation strategy, equipping legal practitioners with the tools to streamline processes, strengthen their case preparation and ensure compliance with procedural rules. 

Join Adv. Lisa Thomas on 20 November 2025, from 10h00 to 12h00, as she discusses how to approach litigation strategically by integrating mediation, discovery management and witness preparation.     

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Understand the procedural and strategic requirements of mediation under Rule 41A and Rule 57. 

• Apply effective discovery and pre-trial techniques to manage evidence efficiently. 

• Balance the volume and relevance of evidence to avoid unnecessary litigation complexity. 

• Prepare and support witnesses ethically and effectively for testimony. 

• Use practical templates and guides to organise evidence and align it with pleadings. 

Content  

The webinar will cover the following topics:  

• Mediation (High Court Rule 41A and Magistrates’ Court Rule 57) 

  • Purpose and scope of mandatory mediation under the relevant court rules 

  • Procedural requirements and the filing of mediation notices 

  • Selecting mediators and preparing for mediation sessions 

  • Advantages, limitations, and strategic considerations of mediation 

• Volume vs. Relevance of Evidence (Including the Role of Pre-Trial Conferences and Discovery) 

  • Understanding the principles of discovery and disclosure 

  • Balancing comprehensive evidence gathering with relevance 

  • Using pre-trial conferences to narrow evidentiary disputes 

  • Managing voluminous documentation and addressing e-discovery challenges 

• Preparing Witnesses (Including Ethical Considerations) 

  • Identifying and briefing key witnesses effectively 

  • Recognising ethical boundaries in witness preparation 

  • Reducing witness anxiety and improving testimony delivery 

  • Avoiding coaching while ensuring accurate and truthful testimony 

• Supplementary Resources: Evidence Organiser and Witness Preparation Guide 

  • Templates and tools for organising documentary and oral evidence 

  • Creating an effective witness preparation plan 

  • Ensuring consistency between evidence, pleadings and litigation objectives 

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: 

• Practising attorneys. 

• Candidate attorneys. 

• Paralegals. 

• Law students. 

• Pupil advocates. 

• 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]