The Advocacy Training Council

ATC Demonstration of Advocacy to Young Students, 16th July

Following last year's successful event, the ATC was again invited by the Bar Council to take part in their Social Mobility Foundation scheme on Thursday 16th July, providing a demonstration of advocacy to 45 students from schools and colleges across London.

  (l) Bernard Richmond QC, (r) Sarah Clarke

Students identified  by their school/college as potentially high-achieving, and keen to learn more about a career at the Bar, joined a week-long Placement Scheme. The programme included time both in court and in Chambers, and culminated in a demonstration of advocacy by the ATC.

The afternoon began with Bernard Richmond QC, Sarah Clarke and Matthew Nicklin each giving a lively talk on their different routes to the Bar. Bernard Richmond QC then led a session setting out the different techniques an advocate uses. Students were  then encouraged to try their hand at examining and cross-examining  a 'Goldilocks' accused of theft by an angry bear - and to practise projecting their voices across a crowded room.

They then went on to take part in smaller group sessions, where they were able to continue informal practical exercises in key advocacy skills. Feedback was very positive, with the students welcoming the chance to delve deeper into what it means to pursue a career at the Bar.

ATC VISIT TO WALES AND CHESTER CIRCUIT 4th MARCH 2010

On Thursday 4th March, the ATC held their 19th Committee Meeting in Civitas Chambers, Cardiff. Following the meeting, Council members were joined by around 25 barristers from the Wales and Chester Circuit, who were able to watch part of the ATC's new 'Training the Trainers' DVD. ATC Chairman Charles Haddon-Cave QC spoke briefly on the work of the ATC, including its commitment to offer assistance to overseas jurisdictions when asked, and emphasising the importance of advocacy training to the future health of the Bar of England and Wales.

Many of those attending were not familiar with the Hampel Method of advocacy training, and were pleased to have an opportunity to learn more about the key principles of advocacy training. 

The ATC is very grateful  to the Wales and Chester Circuit for hosting the event - and hopes to work with the Circuit in the near future on further developing their own teacher-training programmes. 

ADVOCACY TRAINING DVD LAUNCH, 12th NOVEMBER 2009

On Thursday 12th November 2009, the ATC held a launch event for the new Advocacy Training DVD. The event, which took place at Quadrant Chambers, Fleet Street, was hosted by ATC chairman Charles Haddon-Cave QC, and attended by Council members and guests including Chairman of the Bar Desmond Browne QC, and Dame Janet Smith. Guests were treated to a preview screening of the DVD, and the presentation of ATC 'Oscars' to star advocacy trainer Sarah Whitehouse, and star Pupil Yasmeen Ul Haq.

The DVD is intended for use by the Inns and Circuits in the training of their advocacy trainers, in conjunction with an accompanying advocacy training manual. It includes in-depth analysis of the principles of the Hampel Method, together with live demonstrations of the Method in use by experienced advocacy trainers. The DVD was produced by HHJ Anthony Leonard QC, Sarah Clarke and Jill Frances, with contributions from trainers from across the Inns and Circuits, and an introduction from Charles Haddon-Cave QC. It was made with the generous support of the Bar Standards Board.

For further information on the DVD, and its use and distribution, please contact the ATC Secretariat at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Philip Mott QC, Mandie Lavin, Director of the Bar Standards Board

Rachel James (Gray's Inn), Patrick Maddams, Sub-Treasurer, Inner Temple.

Charles Haddon-Cave QC

Brioni Allcorn (Judicial Studies Board), Joanna Robinson (Lincoln's Inn)

'Movie premiere' gift bags.

Colin McCaul QC, Kyri Savva (Gray's Inn), Quinn Clarke (Gray's Inn)

Colin McCaul QC, Quinn Clarke (Gray's Inn), Sarah Perry (ATC Secretariat)

Charles Haddon-Cave QC

ATC Oscars

Edwin Glasgow CBE QC, Dame Janet Smith

Pupil Advocacy Trainer Training and Assessment: New Procedures Agreed

At the sixteenth ATC Committee Meeting on 18th June 2009, the Council agreed the new procedures for the training and assessment of Pupil Advocacy Trainers (PAT). The procedures will help to ensure that  advocacy training at the Pupillage stage across the Inns, Circuits and SBAs is of the highest standard, and will be implemented by October 2009.

The new procedures can be accessed here.