Civil Procedure for Family Professionals: Divorce

Live Online Training | 9 & 10 July 2025 | 17:30–20:00 SAST

Cost: R850 per person

SAAM CPD Points Applied For – Allocation Pending

📘 Course Overview

“Civil Procedure for Family Professionals: Divorce” is a two-part training course specifically developed for mediators, legal practitioners, and mental health professionals who engage with families navigating divorce. This intensive 5-hour programme addresses a widespread gap in the procedural knowledge of professionals working in family law and mediation.

Delivered via Microsoft Teams over two evenings, the course blends practical insight, interactive instruction, and targeted assessment, ensuring attendees walk away with a clear and structured understanding of divorce procedure in the South African courts.

Whether you operate within court-annexed mediation or private dispute resolution, this course will strengthen your ability to operate effectively within the litigation ecosystem.

🎯 Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the stages of divorce litigation in South African courts
• Identify key court documents and procedural milestones in both opposed and unopposed matters
• Recognise the roles of relevant court officials, including the Family Advocate and the Sheriff
• Explain timelines, pleadings, and relief mechanisms (e.g. Rule 43 applications)
• Understand how civil procedure affects children’s matters, mediation, and parenting plans

📅 Schedule & Structure

Day 1 – 9 July 2025 (17:30–20:00)

Theme: Civil Procedure Fundamentals

• Jurisdiction, Court Structures, Role-Players
• High Court vs Regional Court
• Key documents: Summons, Pleadings, Notices
• The Family Advocate, The Sheriff
• Rule 41A and Mediation in Divorce

Assessment: Quiz (20 multiple-choice questions)

Day 2 – 10 July 2025 (17:30–20:00)

Theme: Practical Application and Litigation Strategy

• Service of Process, Edictal Citation, Substituted Service
• Rule 43: Interim Relief – Procedure and Substantive Issues
• Discovery, Subpoena, Privilege
• Expert Evidence & Pre-trial Conferences
• Trial Structure: Process, Evidence, Examination

Assessment: Quiz (20 multiple-choice questions)

📚 Included Materials

Each participant will receive:

• Slide Packs (Day 1 & Day 2)
• Divorce Process & Rule 43 Flowcharts
• Statutory Excerpts & Practice Directives
• Sample Divorce Pleadings

💡 Why Attend?

If you are a family mediator, understanding how litigation intersects with mediation is no longer optional. As divorce proceedings become increasingly complex—and court-annexed and private mediation processes evolve—your ability to interpret and engage with civil procedure is critical. Mediators who understand procedural timelines, documentation, and legal context are better equipped to draft effective agreements, manage expectations, and remain aligned with the best interests of children and families in dispute.

If you are a legal practitioner who collaborates with mediators, psychologists, or social workers, this course will strengthen your ability to guide multidisciplinary teams, prepare accurate pleadings, and anticipate procedural missteps that may compromise a client’s case. You will gain insights into how mediation and litigation complement each other in modern divorce practice.

If you are a mental health professional involved in family law matters—such as a parenting coordinator, social worker, or family therapist—this course offers valuable procedural literacy. It will help you understand how your professional input fits within the broader litigation process,  and how to engage meaningfully with attorneys and mediators working in the same space.

In short, whether you are facilitating settlement, advocating for a client, or supporting family wellbeing, this course provides the procedural awareness you need to operate effectively in the complex environment of South African divorce litigation.

📌 Registration Details

Fee: R850 per person

Platform: MS Teams (link provided on confirmation)

CPD Points: Applied for (SAAM) – pending allocation

📝 Spaces are limited. Register early to secure your spot.