module specification

LC7031 - Advocacy Skills (2017/18)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2017/18
Module title Advocacy Skills
Module level Masters (07)
Credit rating for module 0
School Guildhall School of Business and Law
Total study hours 30
 
24 hours Guided independent study
6 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Oral Examination 100% 50 Oral Presentation
Running in 2017/18

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Autumn semester City - Afternoon

Module summary

This module focuses on the development of the skills of a presenting advocate including the ability   to formulate and present a submission and to conduct or respond to cross-examination.

Prior learning requirements

Qualifying Law degree

Module aims

The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop or improve their advocacy skills.

Syllabus

1. Advocacy overview
2. Developing advocacy skills
3. Bail applications in the Magistrates Court
4. Advocacy skills exercise
5. Court visits

Learning and teaching

• 5 minute presentation on a subject of the student’s choice. This is to help build confidence and practice a structured argument within a time limit.
• Oral presentations of 10 minutes in the role of Prosecutor or Defence.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Advocacy sessions, students should:

  1. understand the importance of preparation and the best way to undertake it
  2. understand the basic skills of preparing an advocacy plan and the presentation of cases before courts and tribunals
  3. be able to formulate and present a coherent submission based upon facts, general principles and legal authority in a structured, concise and persuasive manner
  4. have increased their confidence in their advocacy skills.

Element 1: Case analysis and preparation
Students should be able to:

  1. identify and analyse the relevant facts, the legal context in which the factual issues arise, and how they relate to each other
  2. summarise the strengths and weakness of the case from each party’s perspective
  3. prepare the legal framework of the case, and a simple narrative outline of the facts
  4. prepare and structure the submission as a series of propositions based on the evidence
  5. identify, analyse and assess the purpose and tactics of examination-in-chief, cross-examination and re-examination to adduce rebut and clarify evidence.

Element 2: Oral presentations
Students should be able to:

  1. Identify, analyse and assess the specific communication skills and techniques employed by a presenting advocate
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics, etiquette and conventions of advocacy.

Assessment strategy

The assessment is an oral application to a fictitious Magistrates' Court for 10 minutes (consisting of an oral presentation followed by cross-examination). The assessment is designed to replicate practice and enable students to demonstrate the application of legal principles in a realistic, practical context. Students are given a formative assessment and receive oral feedback.

Bibliography

CLP Criminal Litigation course manual
CLP Foundation course manual