The Advocacy Training Council

Formal advocacy training is a relatively recent discipline: for many years it was assumed that advocacy skills could be learnt by example and observation, rather than being taught as a formal discipline.

Structured advocacy training in the UK has been developed over the past twelve years, drawing on the systematic six-stage method devised by Professor George Hampel QC of the Australian Bar. The method requires Pupil barristers and New Practitioners to perform as advocates in a simulated courtroom environment, within a strict time-frame and supported by a student/trainer ratio of at least 6:2. Advocacy trainers - who will be highly experienced practitioners trained in advocacy teaching – observe the performance, and then use a 6 step procedure to identify and remedy a particular problem with the performance. This incremental and structured approach helps to address the difficulties faced by a trainee seeking to absorb constructive criticism when under stress.

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