Handbook

The course is a practical introduction to courtroom advocacy. Students will be exposed to examples of various types of advocates and advocacy techniques and problems found in leading cases, trial transcripts, novels, plays, films, and biographies of advocates. Much of the course is devoted to practical exercises.

Main Topics

• Essential qualities and skills of advocates
• Advocacy as the art of persuasion
• The problems of advocacy: ethics and misconduct
• Preparation for trial
• Case theory
• Evidentiary and procedural issues in practice
• Opening and closing addresses
• Examination-in-chief and objections
• Cross-examination
• The use of written and oral submissions
• Sentences
• Appeals