Supporting pupils to progressively strengthen their skills in preparation for starting their 2nd Six.
The course is designed in stages and culminates with a mock trial exercise (usually held at the Royal Courts of Justice or the Central Criminal Court).
I love the course , it is just simply excellent!
Course stages
This course is compulsory for pupils in their first six months of pupillage and must be completed in full before a provisional practicing certificate can be issued. The course is designed to prepare aspiring barristers for the practical demands of courtroom advocacy. The course consists of a formative phase and a summative assessment phase and includes:
- Skeleton arguments
- Oral submissions
- Examination-in-chief
- Cross-examination
- Case preparation and analysis
The course is split into 3 pathways; Civil, Crime and Family. Where possible, pupils will be assigned to the pathway relevant to their pupillage. Pupils will follow the same case and remain as the same counsel for the duration of the course.
2026/27 Pupil Advocacy Course Dates
The below sessions are mandatory to attend.
- Tuesday 1 December – Introductory Evening and Case Analysis – Online
- Thursday 7 January – Skeleton Review session – Online
- Tuesday 19 January – Legal argument – In Person, Gray’s Inn
- Saturday 6 February – Trial Exercise – In Person, Royal Court of Justice
There are additional sessions throughout the course which are optional to attend including wellbeing, practice management and advocacy skills workshops. More information on these will be shared at the introductory evening.
Mock trial in the RCJ? What a highlight!
Delivery of training
Each stage is taught in small groups of (usually) six pupils with two accredited advocacy trainers and, in all exercises, pupils perform as advocates. Using the Hampel Method we teach through giving one to one feedback on the performance, not by lecturing. The trainer will identify one aspect of the performance, explaining to the pupil what they did, why it is inappropriate and how to avoid the problem. The trainer will then demonstrate to the pupil how to improve before asking the pupil to replay that aspect of their performance. This usually succeeds in getting a single message across; the pupil can then build on that in subsequent performances.
The advocacy trainers were so welcoming and friendly yet constructive with their feedback
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the Pupil will be able to
- Draft a factually and legally correct skeleton argument that is clear, concise, well-structured and adheres to the relevant* Rules and Practice Directions.
- Cross-examine using appropriate techniques for witness handling, responding effectively to answers from the witness and opposing arguments.
- Examine-in-Chief using appropriate techniques for witness handling, responding effectively to answers from the witness and opposing arguments.
- Make a reasoned and persuasive oral submission that is clear, logical and effectively communicates the argument.
- Follow the correct formalities and the established conventions of the relevant court or tribunal.
James Hunt Prize
The James Hunt Prize is awarded annually to the best advocacy performance on the day of the Pupil Trial Exercise, the final stage of the course. Throughout the day, advocacy trainers will submit their nominations to a panel of judges who then observe the nominees and select the winner.
The James Hunt Prize was established by the education department in memory of Sir James Hunt, who pioneered advocacy training at Gray’s Inn and was a much beloved Master of Education.