Overview   

The success of any court case hinges upon careful preparation. There are important deliberate steps that every legal professional must take during the preparation phase of litigation.  

The aim of this webinar is to equip you with valuable insights into crucial strategies that define successful trial outcomes such as mastering the intricacies of pleadings and motions, to effectively navigating the discovery process. Also important is mastering the art to gathering evidence, evaluating legal pathways, and constructing persuasive arguments.  

Join Adv. Dwight Snyman on 07 June 2024 from 13:00 p.m. to 15:00 p.m. to enhance your litigation strategy and understand the pivotal components of pre-trial preparation that can significantly influence the success of your case.    

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Understand the sequence of procedural steps required before a trial, including initial pleadings, case management, and pre-trial conferences. 

• Gain knowledge about the formulation and significance of pleadings, including complaints, answers, and counterclaims, and how they frame the legal issues in a case. 

• Know how to effectively draft and argue pre-trial motions such as motions for summary judgment or to dismiss, which can decisively influence the course of a trial. 

• Acquire skills to conduct and manage discovery efficiently, including depositions, interrogatories, requests for documents, and admissions to gather necessary evidence and information. 

• Explore methods to develop compelling arguments for pre-trial briefs and oral arguments, focusing on persuasive legal writing and speaking. 

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics:  

• Overview of Pre-Trial Procedures: 

  • Phases of pre-trial procedures. 

  • Timeline and key milestones.  

• The Art of Drafting Pleadings: 

  • Elements of effective complaints, answers, and counterclaims. 

  • Common mistakes in drafting pleadings.  

• Motion Practice Essentials: 

  • Types of pre-trial motions. 

  • Strategies for drafting and arguing motions. 

  • Impact of motions on case trajectory. 

• Conducting Effective Discovery: 

  • Planning and executing discovery. 

  • Managing electronic discovery. 

  • Ethical considerations in discovery. 

• Evidence Collection and Evaluation: 

  • Identifying admissible evidence. 

  • Evaluating the strength of evidence. 

• Pre-Trial Conferences and Management: 

  • Pre-trial conferences 

  • Role of case management orders. 

• Settlement Strategies: 

  • Exploring mediation and negotiation. 

  • Preparing for settlement discussions. 

  • Benefits of settling versus proceeding to trial. 

• Crafting Persuasive Legal Arguments: 

  • Techniques for effective legal writing. 

  • Techniques for oral advocacy. 

  • Preparing briefs and oral arguments.  

• Preparing for Trial: 

  • Checklist: Transitioning from pre-trial to trial.  

  • Final preparations. 

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 

• Corporate Legal Professionals 

• Government Legal Professionals 

• Judicial Officers 

• Legal Academic 

• Candidate attorneys 

• Law Students 

• Paralegals 

Price              

• R 450.00 - Online admission - Individual.  

• Group Price 1 - From R184 per person (up to 5 users)  

• Group Price 2 - From R121 per person (up to 10 users)  

• Group Price 3 - From R109 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]