Specific areas of practice


Practising advocacy in the higher courts

If practising in the higher courts is one of your goals then you should regularly reflect on the quality of your advocacy and the knowledge and skills needed to practise there.

How to build trust with your client

Building trust with clients from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds to your own is a form of cultural competence.

Meeting the needs of vulnerable people

You can encounter vulnerable people in any area of law but you are more likely to encounter them if you practise in some areas, such as sexual offences.

Providing remote advocacy services

Remote hearings present both benefits and risks. This depends on the type of case you are involved in, your client’s needs and personal circumstances and those of other parties.

How to deliver an effective closing speech at trial

Your closing speech is your final opportunity to address the court and persuade it to decide in your favour.

How to cross examine a witness

Cross examination is often considered to be the most difficult form of advocacy.

Conducting examination in chief

Advocates use examination in chief to question their witnesses after they have been sworn into court and before they are cross examined by the other side.

Delivering an effective opening speech

If you need to deliver an opening speech it is an opportunity to show the court that you are well prepared and set the tone for the rest of your advocacy.

Drafting a persuasive skeleton argument

To draft a persuasive skeleton argument you need to be able to condense potentially complex and detailed points into a clear, logical and succinct argument.

Developing an effective case theory

Your case theory helps structure your arguments and how you present your client's case.