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Contract Law Essentials for Commercial Managers

Commercial managers sign, vary and enforce agreements long before a lawyer sees them. Formation, breach, penalty clauses, suretyships and cession are covered in plain language with South African examples, along with the practical question of what a signature on a purchase order actually commits the company to.

What you will be able to do

  • Identify when a binding agreement has come into existence and who had authority to conclude it.
  • Read and interpret common commercial clauses covering payment, delivery, warranties and limitation of liability.
  • Distinguish between the remedies available for breach, including cancellation, specific performance and damages.
  • Apply penalty and interest provisions in line with South African statutory limits.
  • Manage variations, extensions and waivers without weakening the company's position.
  • Escalate a dispute through negotiation, mediation and arbitration before litigation becomes the only option.

Course outline

  1. 01Formation, offer, acceptance and authority
  2. 02Standard terms and competing sets of conditions
  3. 03Key commercial clauses and their effect
  4. 04Breach, cancellation and remedies
  5. 05Penalties, interest and damages
  6. 06Suretyship, cession and security
  7. 07Variations, waivers and contract administration
  8. 08Dispute resolution routes and costs

Who should attend

Commercial and contracts managers, procurement and supply chain practitioners, project managers, sales managers and business owners who negotiate or sign agreements without in house legal support.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
17 to 19 Aug 2026Accra3US$1,500
24 to 26 Aug 2026Lusaka3US$1,500
31 Aug to 2 Sep 2026Kigali3US$1,500
7 to 9 Sep 2026Nairobi3US$1,500
14 to 16 Sep 2026Durban3R13,000
21 to 23 Sep 2026Johannesburg3R13,000
5 to 7 Oct 2026Mauritius3US$1,500
12 to 14 Oct 2026Dubai3US$1,500
19 to 21 Oct 2026Lagos3US$1,500
26 to 28 Oct 2026Harare3US$1,500
2 to 4 Nov 2026Kampala3US$1,500
9 to 11 Nov 2026Dar es Salaam3US$1,500
16 to 18 Nov 2026Pretoria3R13,000
23 to 25 Nov 2026Cape Town3R13,000
7 to 9 Dec 2026Online3US$900
14 to 16 Dec 2026Mozambique3US$1,500
21 to 23 Dec 2026Cairo3US$1,500

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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