Overview   

Successful litigation relies heavily on the precision and quality of pleadings and affidavits. These documents form the foundation upon which disputes are narrowed, issues are defined, and fair hearings are conducted. Poorly drafted pleadings can cause significant prejudice to proceedings, delay justice, and affect outcomes. This webinar provides an in-depth look at the principles, procedures, and practical techniques required to draft effective pleadings and affidavits that comply with court rules and support strong litigation strategy. 

Join Lisa Thomas on 31 October 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, as she explores how to refine drafting skills, avoid common procedural pitfalls, and ensure your legal documents meet the highest professional and procedural standards.    

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Understand the role of pleadings and affidavits in narrowing disputes and defining issues for trial. 
• Identify and avoid common drafting errors that may cause prejudice or procedural defects. 
• Apply the relevant legal principles and remedies available under the Uniform Rules of Court. 
• Utilise practical checklists to ensure procedural accuracy and compliance. 
• Develop clear, concise, and compliant documents that enhance the efficiency of litigation.   

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics:  

• Narrowing Issues for Litigation/Hearing (Including the Role of the Pre-Trial Minute) 
  o Understanding the purpose of pleadings in narrowing disputes 
  o The importance of precision and clarity in framing issues for hearing 
  o Role and drafting of the pre-trial minute under court rules 
  o Practical examples of how pre-trial minutes streamline litigation 

• Prejudice Caused to the Trial by Missing or Inadequately Drafted Pleadings/Affidavits 
  o Common drafting errors and their consequences 
  o Legal principles governing prejudice in civil proceedings 
  o Case examples of defective pleadings impacting trial outcomes 
  o Techniques to ensure completeness and compliance in pleadings 

• Remedies for Incorrect Civil Procedure and Defective Documents 
  o Identifying procedural irregularities under the Uniform Rules of Court 
  o Applications for amendment or condonation 
  o Striking out and exception procedures 
  o Cost implications and judicial discretion 

• Supplementary Resource: Checklist to Examine Pleadings and Affidavits 
  o Key checklist items for form, substance, and procedural compliance 
  o Ensuring alignment with applicable rules and practice directives 
  o Using checklists for drafting accuracy and peer review 

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]