Birkenhead Lecture
The annual Birkenhead Lecture is delivered by an eminent Member of the Inn or guest each Autumn. The first Earl of Birkenhead, Frederick Edwin Smith GCSI, PC, KC was was a renowned debater, barrister and parliamentary performer. Recent lectures include:
- ‘The Future of the Legal Profession’ (2023), The Right Hon Lady Dorrian
Read the Birkenhead Lecture 2023 (PDF) - ‘National security and the law’ (2022), Lord Anderson of Ipswich KBE KC
Read the Birkenhead lecture 2022 (PDF) - ‘The private law of digital assets: what is it and what should it be?’ (2021), Louise Gullifer KC (hon) FBA
Read the Birkenhead lecture 2021 (PDF)
Graya News Articles
The following articles are taken from Graya News and are aimed at students, pupils and barristers new to practise. They are written by highly experienced practitioners and offer concise, practical guidance on some of the fundamentals of advocacy.
Advocacy
- ‘Advocacy before the QB Masters’ (PDF) by Master David Cook – Number 29 (Autumn 2017)
Exam Preparation
- ‘The Professional Ethics Exam’ (PDF) by Ruth Kennedy, Jack Williams and Natalie Bird – Number 26 (2016)
Skeleton Arguments
- ‘Written Advocacy and Arguing Points of Law’ (PDF) by Master Desmond Browne KC – Number 9 (Autumn 2007)
Mooting and Submissions
- ‘How to Moot: Preparation and Performance’ (PDF) by James Ballance – Number 13 (Autumn 2009)
- ‘Much Mooting in the Inn’ (PDF) by Master Mark Hedley – Number 17 (Autumn 2011)
- ‘Do’s and Don’ts of Mooting’ (PDF) by Master Duncan Ouseley – Number 11 (Autumn 2008)
Criminal Cases
- ‘The Plea in Mitigation in the Crown Court’ (PDF) by Master David Barnard – Number 23 (Autumn 2014)
- ‘Leading by Example – Criminal Cases’ (PDF) by Master David Barnard – Number 24 (Summer 2015)
- ‘Cross-examination in the Crown Court’ (PDF) by Master Roger Chapple – Number 25 (Autumn 2015)
- ‘Winning in the Crown Court’ (PDF) by Master Edmund Lawson QC – Number 3 (Autumn 2004)
Civil Litigation
- ‘Leading by Example – Civil Cases’ (PDF) by Dan Dovar – Number 24 (Summer 2015)
- ‘Winning ways in the County Court’ (PDF) by Master Charles Welchman – Number 2 (Spring 2004)
Gray’s Inn Readings
The Gray’s Inn Readings are annual lectures delivered by Britain’s leading legal professionals, held in partnership with Gresham College. Recent lectures include:
- ‘Where are we with freedom of expression?’ (2023), Dame Siobhan Keegan
- ‘What makes a good judge?’ (2022), The Rt. Hon. Lady Rose of Colmworth
- ‘Complexity and the Law’ (2021), Rt Hon Lord Justice Haddon-Cave
More Gray’s Inn Readings can be found on the Gresham College website.