ELEMENT 1: CASE ANALYSIS AND PREPARATION
1. identify and analyse the relevant facts, legal context
2. strengths and weaknesses of the case
3. legal framework of the case
4. legal or factual submission
5. effective and tactically aware strategy
6. examination-in-chief, cross-examination and re-examination
7. submission supported by legal authority to exclude evidence
8. submission opposing the grant of bail
9. rebut a submission opposing bail
10. plea in mitigation
11. oral submission

ELEMENT 2: ORAL PRESENTATIONS
1. communication skills
2. oral submission to exclude evidence
3. plea in mitigation
4. grant of bail
5. oral submission before a court
6. professional conduct
7. oral submission

Advocacy is practised within 4 hours of one to one and small group sessions and a formative session with one to one feedback. Additionally, for students following a blended-learning mode of delivery there will be on-line activities.

Assessed by a 20 minute oral, filmed delivery on a Competent/Not yet Competent basis

Lecture and workshop materials, Blackboard and Library resources.

OUP Civil and Criminal Litigation Handbooks (annually updated) and OUP Lawyers's Skills

None

In this module students develop the skills required to present arguments cogently and persuasively in court. The skills of an advocate are taught in introductory sessions in Foundation Week, and reinforced through learning activities in the Criminal part of the Litigation module. Students present legal arguments in writing and orally, in the context of commonly arising issues in the criminal courts, for example, bail applications, applications to admit or exclude evidence, and pleas in mitigation of sentence. The assessment takes the form of a simulation of a courtroom application and response, with the tutor taking the role of the Judge. Advocacy also develops students’ experience of identifying and dealing with professional conduct issues appropriately and is therefore an essential skill for practice.