1. Deliver structured and persuasive oral advocacy, demonstrating critical application of advanced legal knowledge and clearly communicating conclusions to a specialist audience.
University Learning Outcome: 4-Analysis 6-Communication 7-Application

2. Apply legal knowledge with originality and practical insight, delivering clear oral advice to non-specialist audiences across diverse areas of legal practice.
University Learning Outcome: 6-Communication 7-Application

3. Respond flexibly to complex client needs, demonstrating sound judgement, originality, and a practical application of legal principles in unpredictable situations.
University Learning Outcome: 5-Problem Solving 7-Application

4. Demonstrate advanced understanding of professional legal practice by applying legal skills and ethics in oral communication, showing initiative, autonomy, and problem-solving in professional contexts.
University Learning Outcome: 1-Knowledge and Understanding 6–Communication 8-Reflection

Assessment 1 Live Advocacy Exercise (40%): A 15-minute oral submission (e.g. a bail application or interim hearing argument), graded with a skills-based focus on structure, clarity, and persuasiveness. Students should expect to be asked questions during the advocacy. This assesses learning outcomes 1, 3 and 4.

Assessment 2 Oral Legal Advice Simulation (30%): A 25-minute client-facing role-play assessing the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and appropriately. This assesses learning outcomes 2, 3 and 4.
Assessment 3 Practice-Based Reflective Report (30%): A 1,500-word written reflection analysing performance across the two oral tasks and drawing on legal ethics and professional standards. This assesses learning outcome 4.

This module develops core advocacy skills required in legal practice. It covers advocacy technique and case preparation, with a focus on ethical responsibilities in oral submissions. Students learn to structure persuasive arguments, interact effectively with clients, ask relevant questions, and deliver clear advice. The module also addresses managing legal communication under pressure in courtroom and client-facing contexts.

The oral skills developed in this module are embedded within the following five core legal practice areas, reflecting the contexts in which the SRA assesses SQE2 candidates:

Dispute Resolution (Civil Litigation)
- Oral advocacy in interim applications, case management hearings
- Advising clients on settlement, costs, and procedural strategy

Criminal Litigation
- Bail applications, mitigation pleas, or early directions hearings
- Oral client advice on criminal liability, procedure, and sentencing

Property Practice (Residential and Commercial)
- Oral advice on leases, freehold sale/purchase, land registration issues
- Client communication on risks and timelines in transactions

Wills and the Administration of Estates
- Interviewing clients on testamentary capacity, inheritance queries
- Oral advice on probate procedure and drafting considerations

Business Law and Practice
- Interviewing and advising clients on business formation, liability, or director duties
- Communicating procedural or regulatory steps in business transactions

This module builds upon the skills introduced in Legal Skills Practice 1 and focuses on oral legal practice, particularly advocacy and oral client communication. It enhances your abilities to present legal arguments persuasively, manage oral submissions, and provide client-focused advice under realistic conditions. You will refine their practical skills across key practice areas, deepening their professional awareness and competence in line with SQE2 assessment expectations.

Students will engage in simulated legal practice tasks including mock hearings, client interviews, and oral presentations. Delivery includes tutor-led workshops, group practice sessions, peer feedback, and reflective coaching. Formative feedback is embedded throughout to support performance improvement and self-awareness. In terms of inclusivity, core learning materials are made available in multiple accessible formats to accommodate a range of accessibility needs.

OUP SQE2 Advocacy and Client Interviewing Guides
Finch, E. & Fafinski, S. (2022). Advocacy in Practice

Practical Law, Lexis+, Westlaw, Blackboard