Course presentation

Success in today’s legal environment requires mastering a variety of techniques to help clients achieve a cost-effective solution to their disputes. The course presenters are experienced, practising mediators and the teaching methodology will essentially be learning-by-doing, which will include working through case studies. The training is intensive and demanding and requires hard work and dedication. This course is presented in English only.

Outline of programme

General introduction to mediation and legal background | Basic civil procedure pre-workshop assignment | Mediation in the South African context | A study of the Court-Annexed Mediation rules | The mediation process principles, stages and methodology of mediation | Role and function of the mediator | Conflict management | Essential skills in negotiation | Adversarial processes | Social-context and diversity awareness | Taking control of the mediation process | Dealing with people and building rapport | Communication and diplomacy | Gaining an understanding of the problems | Confidentiality, privacy and reporting obligations | Neutrality and impartiality | Drafting agreements at the end of the process | Skills required in moving towards a solution that satisfies the needs of the parties, and | Practical skills to conduct a mediation process.

Accreditation
 
The LSSA has provisionally been accredited by the Dispute Settlement Accreditation Council (DiSAC) for general commercial mediation standard training. NOTE: DiSAC is only extending provisional accreditation for this training course as it is in the process of finalising a more detailed assessment process. 

Dates and times

Intake 2: 01 - 12 June 2026 (14:30-18:30)
Intake 3: 10 - 21 August 2026 (14:30-18:30)
Intake 4: 12 - 23 October 2026 (14:30-18:30)
Intake 5: 09 - 20 November 2026 (14:30-18:30)

Certification

IMPORTANT:
Delegates are required to attend the full ten-day (40-hour) course and comply with all assessment requirements to receive a Certificate of Successful Completion.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS AND OTHERS:
To receive the Certificate of Successful Completion, these participants must pass a separate online multiple-choice assessment on Civil Procedure. Knowledge of Civil Procedure is a requirement in terms of the standards for Court-Annexed Mediation set by the Department of Justice.

Candidate legal practitioners registered at LEAD should use the High Court Practice and Magistrate’s Court Practice training guides to study for the test. Other participants will be expected to purchase the LEAD training guide. The online assessment date will be advised after the delegate has registered.

Who should register?
All practising legal practitioners and candidate legal practitioners, especially (but not exclusively) those involved in civil litigation. Registration will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Registration

Registration fee (including VAT):
•    Practising legal practitioners: R 5 720  per person
•    Candidate legal practitioners and support staff: R 4 530 per person
•    Non-practising legal practitioners/others: R 8 430  per person

How to register
Kindly note that you can only register online and that there are limited places available. Participants should be registered individually to enable the system to generate a unique username and password for each person.
STEP 1:
Payment should be made by electronic funds transfer (EFT) only. You are required to upload the proof of payment (PDF) in step 2 - (Online registration form).

LSSA banking details: Account name: Law Society of South Africa | Bank: FNB Pretoria | Branch code: 251445 | Account no: 6200 9641 079 | Reference: Initials, surname, Cell Number
STEP 2: 
Click here  to register:  01 - 12 June 2026 (14:30-18:30)
Click here  to register:  10 - 21 August 2026 (14:30-18:30)
Click here  to register:  12 - 23 October 2026 (14:30-18:30)
Click here  to register:  09 - 20 November 2026 (14:30-18:30)

STEP 3:
Once you have successfully registered to participate, you will receive confirmation that we have received your registration documentation. Confirmation of attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Although the registration closes one week prior to the commencement of the course, this course is usually fully booked by the registration deadline. Therefore, early registration is recommended

For more information about this course contact Molalatladi Modiba:
E-mail: Mediation@LSSALEAD.org.za | Please note we only communicate via e-mail should you need more information.

Please take note

• The LSSA will not accept liability if fees are not paid into the designated LSSA bank account.Course registration will be confirmed only if proof of payment is attached to the registration form.
•  Registrations close 48 hours prior to the event dates.No registrations will be accepted thereafter without written approval from LEAD.
• LEAD reserves the right to cancel a learning activity should the number of delegates not justify the costs involved.
• Registered delegates will be given reasonable notice of cancellation.
• To cancel a registration, the delegate should e-mail annelie@LSSALEAD.org.za at least 48 hours before the
• start of the event to avoid being liable for the full fee. Refunds must be claimed in writing within 15 business days after cancellation.

LEAD's training offers
LEAD is one of the largest providers of legal professional education in South Africa and has been accredited as a legal education provider by the Legal Practice Council. LEAD provides access to quality learning that is relevant, accessible and affordable. LEAD offers an extensive range of learning activities and training options.