Lawyers are generally the 'gatekeepers' of civil and commercial mediation. Their clients rely on them for advice on the range of dispute resolution options available to them, so lawyers need to have the answers at their fingertips. Judge President Dunstan Mlambo said recently: “If lawyers would stop insisting on trial dates and instead focus on having their matters settled early, such as by submitting their cases to mediation, it would drastically reduce the civil trial workload of all the courts in South Africa."

Judge President Dunstan Mlambo said recently: “If lawyers would stop insisting on trial dates and instead focus on having their matters settled early, such as by submitting their cases to mediation, it would drastically reduce the civil trial workload of all the courts in South Africa".

Are you prepared for the challenge?

Chris Todd, a seasoned litigator and mediator from Bowmans, will moderate the webinar giving each of our speakers to share their unique experience to prepare you for the challenge. 

1. Moderator: Chris Todd 
2. Speakers:

   1. Did you know that mediators do NOT give advice or opinions to the parties, or that mediation is a confidential, off-the-record and without-prejudice process? Tefo Raditapole will explain these concepts and others so that you understand fully what mediation is and what it is not.

   2. What about your obligations and responsibilities to your client in terms of Rule 41A? Leigh de Souza-Spagnoletti will provide you with the answers to these questions and also update you on the developing jurisprudence concerning the use of mediation in the litigation process.

   3. Patrick Deale will share a risk analysis tool that enables you and your client to see the potential risks and costs as each step is taken along the litigation pathway. You will hear that mediation is always an option no matter how far down that pathway you have travelled.

DATE: 1 October 2024

TIME: 16.00 to 17.00

VENUE: ONLINE

BOOK: HERE