Overview

After graduating from their LLB degree, all law students are clueless about what to expect as Candidate Attorneys.

The two main hurdles that candidate attorneys face are legal drafting and court appearances.  Although many candidate attorneys survive their practical vocational training, not knowing how to clear these hurdles can bring much uncertainty.  The truth is that it does not have to be a fearful time because you can learn the basics of legal drafting and how to conduct court appearances!

Join Adv. Lisa Thomas on 30 March 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. where she will make your fears a thing of the past and teach you what you need to know

Learning objectives

By the end of this webinar the attendee should know:

• The need for court documents and court appearances in a legal practice
• The basics of court documents
• The basics of court appearances
• How to build confidence with court documents (drafting, service, and filing)
• How to build confidence with court appearances
• How to interact with clients in relation to drafting court documents and court appearances

Content

The webinar will cover the following topics:

Types of court appearances:

• adjournments/handing up documents    
• trial
• applications (motion court) argument

Types of court documents

•   pleadings (actions)
•   affidavits (application)
•   handling court documents (service & filing)

Basics of court documents (drafting)

•    rules of court
•    purpose of templates/precedents
•    peer-review
•    purpose of each document (pleading/affidavit)

Court etiquette

•  rights of appearance
•  introduction to presiding officer (first appearance for each new presiding officer)
•  standing up and speaking (terms of address/reason for appearance)
• Consultations with clients (drafting and preparation for court appearances)

About the presenter:

Adv Lisa Thomas is 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 Her legal experience finds its ultimate expression in her LinkedIn teaching posts, free mentorship platform, and academy. With superpowers such as empathy and authenticity propelling her, she is committed to being a lifelong resource for up and coming legal professionals.

Who should attend?

Candidate attorneys (with rights of appearance in the Magistrates’ and/or Regional Magistrates’ Courts)

Law students

Pupil Advocates

Paralegals

Young/ Junior legal practitioners

Price:  

This webinar is complimentary 

For those of you who are unable to attend the live webinar, the recording will be made available to you shortly after the event.

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.