Duration: Full Day (Approx. 8 hours with breaks)
Delivery: Online via Microsoft Teams (interactive, small group)
Emphasis: Practical, experience-based insights that go beyond what books or guides can provide.

Cost: £499

Session 1 – Pre-Action Stage

• Importance of the pre-action stage

• Letters Before Action & Protocols – content, tone, compliance

• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – negotiation, mediation, arbitration, ENE

• Settlement strategies – timing and leverage

• Funding litigation – self-funding, insurance, CFAs, third-party funding

• Evidence preservation – safeguarding physical and digital material

• Experts and early involvement

• Practical exercise: Drafting a Pre-Action Letter

Session 2 – Commencing & Defending Proceedings

• Source materials precedents and practice guides.

• Issuing claims (forms, particulars, fees)

• Responding to claims (acknowledgments, defences, counterclaims)

• Default judgments and setting aside

• Jurisdiction & venue choices (County vs. High Court)

• Limitation periods & fatal errors

• Tactical considerations at the outset

• Case study: Spotting procedural traps

Session 3 – Statements of Case

• Purpose and structure of pleadings

• Striking the balance: clarity vs. strategy

• Amendments and compliance with CPR

• Common pitfalls (vague pleadings, over-complexity)

• Practical workshop: Reviewing real-world pleadings

Session 4 – Case Management

• Case Management Conferences (CMC)

• Directions Orders and timetables

• Track allocation: small, fast, and multi-track explained

• The Overriding Objective – proportionality and fairness

• Sanctions and relief from sanctions

• Interactive discussion: How judges manage cases in practice

Session 5 – Interim Applications

• Common applications: strike out, summary judgment, interim injunctions, security for costs

• Application procedure – notices, skeleton arguments, evidence

• Tactical use: when applications can shift momentum

• Practical insights: Advocacy tips for applications

• Mini role-play: Summary judgment application

Session 6 – Disclosure & Evidence

• Disclosure obligations under CPR

• Standard disclosure vs. specific disclosure

• Challenges of electronic disclosure

• Privilege – legal advice, litigation privilege, without prejudice

• Witness evidence – drafting effective statements

• Expert evidence – managing costs, court-appointed vs. party-appointed

• Workshop: Identifying privileged vs. disclosable documents

Session 7 – Settlement Opportunities

• Part 36 Offers and cost consequences

• Without prejudice communications

• Mediation in practice – preparation and negotiation tactics

• Enforceability of settlement agreements (consent orders, Tomlin orders)

• Case scenario: Evaluating when to settle

Session 8 – Trial Preparation & Trial

• Directions and final preparation checklist

• Trial bundles – organisation & electronic bundles

• Skeleton arguments – what judges want to see

• Advocacy skills – submissions, handling witnesses, etiquette

• What to expect at trial: courtroom dynamics

• Mock exercise: Delivering a short submission

Session 9 – After Judgment: Enforcement, Appeals & Costs

• Enforcement methods: charging orders, attachment of earnings, third-party orders, writs of control

• Appeals: grounds, permission, and procedure

• Costs recovery – standard vs. indemnity basis

• Costs management – budgeting, capping, proportionality

• Practical checklist: Deciding whether enforcement is worthwhile

Wrap-Up & Q&A

• Key takeaways from the day

• Practical checklist for litigation essentials

• Open floor for participant questions

Optional written test (do at home).

Attendees have the option of completing at no additional costs a take home written test (30-45 minutes) upon which they will receive the LitigateWise Certificate of Achievement.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Understand each stage of the litigation process and its strategic implications.

• Be able to draft effective pre-action letters, pleadings, and witness statements.

• Navigate case management and interim applications confidently.

• Handle disclosure and evidence with awareness of risks and opportunities.

• Approach settlement and trial preparation strategically.

• Make informed decisions about enforcement, appeals, and costs.