In 2023 we will be running two New Practitioner Weekends, also known as the New Practitioners Programme (NPP).
All courses include the required advocacy and ethics hours within the first three years of tenancy, and an evening ethics only session.
Members of other Inns are welcome to apply to either course although, if over-subscribed, preference will be given to Gray’s Inn members and those closest to their 3 year NPP deadline.
New Practitioner Weekends
Our next New Practitioner Weekends are:
17 – 19 May 2024
6pm Friday to 1.30pm Sunday
Family, Crime and Civil with Expert Witnesses location: Gray’s Inn
Plus an ethics only session 5.45pm, Thursday 2 May (Online)
This course is fully booked
22 – 24 November 2024
6pm Friday to 1.30pm Sunday
Crime and Civil, location: Gray’s Inn
Plus an ethics only session 5.45pm, Tuesday 29 October
Cost: £150
16 – 18 May 2025
6pm Friday to 1.30pm Sunday
Family, Crime and Civil with Expert Witnesses location: Gray’s Inn
Plus an ethics only session 5.45pm, Thursday 2 May (Online)
Cost: £150
CPD
Each weekend course offers the following Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours:
- 9 advocacy
- 3 ethics
- 4 general (includes 2 hours gained at the Case Analysis session)
Structure
Each weekend course has a preceding case analysis session at the Inn which aims to help practitioners prepare for the weekend, and prepare their skeleton arguments which we ask to be submitted in advance.
Each training group has six New Practitioners (NPs) and is taught by a real judge and two experienced advocacy trainers. Using the Hampel Method, we aim to provide specific training for barristers from all areas of practice using a variety of realistic exercises; most written by members of the Inn.
The weekend provided a valuable opportunity to have feedback after a few years in practice
Both courses concentrate on preparation, use of skeleton arguments in oral submissions, witness handling and responding to judicial interventions. The April weekend incorporates the examination in chief and cross-examination of expert witness played by real trainee psychiatrists, recognising the need for practitioners to be confident in handling expert witnesses in court.
Application period
The following booking terms apply for all New Practitioner Weekends:
- Places are not offered on a first come first served basis
- Places are only allocated once all application forms have been received and the application period has closed
- Preference will be given to NPs closest to their 3 year NPP deadline
- Members of other Inns are welcome to apply although, if over-subscribed, preference will be given to Gray’s Inn members and NPs closest to their 3 year NPP deadline
- Only members of the Bar currently in practice are eligible to attend
- No refunds will be made to attendees who accept a place and subsequently withdraw from the course without a replacement being secured by the Inn
To book a place please:
- first register your interest in attending using the form below
- then wait to receive further information a link to the full booking form approximately 8 weeks in advance of the weekend
- submit your form to us before the specified closing date
The booking form for a weekend can be found on its calendar entry and will open approximately 8 weeks in advance of the course, remaining open for approximately 3 weeks. If you are still interested in attending after the booking period has ended, please use the form below to be added to the waiting list or contact the Education Department.
Ethics only session
An ethics session takes place on a weekday evening, a week or so before the Advocacy weekend.
Practitioners can claim 3 ethics hours from this session and it is suited to NPs who have already gained their 9 or more advocacy hours. It consists of points designed to teach NPs to recognise ethical problems in a number of different practical contexts within their area of practice, and to respond to such problems appropriately. Practitioners must attend for the full 3 hours regardless of how many hours they require.
Booking an Ethics session:
The Ethics session is free and members of other Inns are welcome to attend. To book a place please use the form below; you will then receive further details regarding the course. Only members of the Bar currently in practice are eligible to attend.