Litigation skills 2026

Litigation is dynamic and a lawyer has to ‘roll with the changes’. As dynamic as it is, there are basic litigation skills to know and apply. These skills can be broken down into techniques. The key is knowing how to adapt these skills and techniques from trial to trial.

Join us for a six-hour course in which we will explore the relevant skills.

When and where?

30 March to 1 April 2026, 9:00 to 11:00 SAST

This course will be held remotely, most likely on Zoom. 

Course outline

The following topics will be covered:

• Pre-trial processes (discovery, pre-trial conference, directions, case-flow management, evidence strategy)
• Opening statement / address (contents, persuasion, storytelling, evidence)
• Examination-in-chief (leading the witness, order of witnesses, types of questions)
• Cross-examination (common lines of cross-examination, ethics, etiquette)
• Re-examination (necessity, types of questions)
• Closing statement / address (recapping the evidence, linking legal points with the evidence presented)
• Scenario-based practical demonstrations of litigation skills (selecting correct discovery notices, pre-trial conference agenda and role-play, contrasting opening statements, contrasting examination-in-chief questions, lines of cross-examination and contrasting cross-examination techniques, contrasting re-examination, contrasting closing statements)

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is aimed at candidate attorneys and junior attorneys.

Presenter

Lisa V. Thomas, a former criminal defence advocate and professional legal assistant in Durban, has a wealth of experience in both private and public law practice. Lisa earned her LLB from the University of Kwazulu-Natal (Howard College Campus), completed her pupillage, and was admitted as an advocate/barrister in 2008. A passionate advocate for humanity and ethics in the South African legal profession, Lisa is especially committed to supporting entry-level legal professionals. Lisa shares her extensive legal expertise through LinkedIn teaching posts, a mentorship and career coaching platform, and her legal academy. She also provides ad-hoc litigation training for legal professionals and is a presenter with SA Legal Academy, where she developed their candidate attorney short course.

How much?

R3,300 per person

Certificate

A digital certificate of attendance from UCT will be issued to those who attend the full course.

Please note that the digital certificate can only be viewed on a secure portal. It cannot be downloaded or printed. You will have the option of ordering a hard copy of the certificate at your own cost, including the cost of the courier fee. More information is available here.

SIGN UP HERE: Litigation skills | UCT Law at Work