Judgment Writing
This course offers judicial officers, aspiring judicial officers and justice sector professionals the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the principles and practice of effective judgment writing.
Course Title: Judgment Writing
Delivery Mode: In-person
Duration: 4 days Intensive programme/Online
Accredited by: University of Cape Town, Faculty of Law
Course Overview
This course offers judicial officers, aspiring judicial officers and justice sector professionals the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the principles and practice of effective judgment writing.
Drawing on African and global perspectives, it combines practical case-based learning with academic insight to strengthen judicial reasoning, integrity, and effectiveness in the administration of justice.
Participants will explore real-world challenges and develop tools to enhance the clarity, structure, and delivery of their judgments, reinforcing their leadership and adherence to the rule of law.
What You'll Learn
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify the appropriate audience, structure, and content for a judgment, applying principles of plain language and concise reasoning.
- Critically assess evidence and credibility, while recognising and mitigating the impact of unconscious bias.
- Apply techniques for efficient information processing, fact-finding, and issue identification to expedite the judgment drafting process.
- Draft and deliver well-structured, clear, and properly reasoned judgments, including extempore judgments in appropriate cases.
- Proofread and finalise judgments to a high standard of clarity and accuracy.
Who Should Enrol
This course is designed for:
- Sitting judges, magistrates, and aspiring judicial officers
- Judicial trainers
How You'll Learn
- Expert-led talks and discussions guided by expert judicial trainers and practitioners on topics from judgment structure to unconscious bias;
- Interactive learning activities*and peer exchange through small group analysis of real judgments;
- Case-based exercises* including a mock civil/criminal trial to apply principles in a practical setting;
- Practical drafting and delivery sessions with personalised feedback on your writing;
- Access to downloadable resources, reading materials, and judicial toolkits, including exemplar judgments from across Africa.
Course Convenor
Dr. Mathilda Twomey, Academic Director, JIFA
With contributions from senior members of the African judiciary, academics from the University of Cape Town and other universities, and invited experts.
Certification
Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Judicial Institute for Africa (JIFA), Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town.
Course Fee
US$ TBC
Includes full access to course materials, discussion forums, and certification.
Institutional and group enrolment options are available.
What graduates say
- “The practical exercises, especially drafting a judgment from a mock trial and receiving immediate feedback, were invaluable for my daily work on the bench.”
- “This course transformed my approach to writing. The focus on plain language and structure has made my judgments more accessible and impactful.”
- “The facilitators were exceptional. The analysis of judgments from other African jurisdictions provided a rich, comparative perspective.”
Apply Now
Join an African-wide community of judicial professionals committed to excellence and integrity.
➡️ Contact us for more information