Mastering Appellate Advocacy 2019

This year we are again offering our Mastering Appellate Advocacy Workshop at the Wellington High Court on Saturday 19 October 2019. This workshop was sold out when we last offered it during the World Bar Conference in 2014. It is taught by top barristers and uses a programme developed in conjunction with overseas Bar Associations. We are delighted to announce that this year we are running the criminal stream of our workshop with the assistance of Crown Law.

This module is part of the NZBA's Mastering Advocacy Programme. We use a programme that has been developed in conjunction with overseas Bar Associations/Inns of Court and will provide the participant with a unique opportunity to be critiqued by senior appellate advocates and judges. 

The workshop uses a combination of theory, performance and critique to ensure that each attendee receives the maximum learning experience. Advocates will have an opportunity to view a range of skills and styles throughout the workshop and will gain insight into what might work for them.  

Our Course Directors and Faculty

Our Course Directors are Chris Gudsell QC (Civil) and James Rapley QC.  Charlotte Brook (Crown Law Team Leader - Criminal and Christchurch barrister, Stephanie Grieve, will be assisting with the organisation. Our Coaches will be senior counsel or near equivalent experience (senior juniors), together with sitting and retired Judges of the Senior Courts.  Faculty includes:

Key features:

• The CPD credit is 10 - 15 hours;
• It is based on the highly successful programme developed by the Australian Bar Association and the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (an advance on the traditional NITA approach);
• The participant to coach ratio is 2:1;
• We have highly experienced coaches from the top levels of the profession;
• There are civil and criminal streams available with different case scenarios for each;
• The teaching is supportive, precise and there is a high degree of collegiality;
• The theoretical underpinning is taught by on-demand webinars to allow participants to structure their own time;
• The time at the workshop is spent on practical activities including one on one coaching and simulated cross-examination presentations;
• Participants are placed in workgroups of four people and two coaches to ensure support and collegiality

Structure

During the workshop, participants will: 

• Have coaching sessions with highly experienced coaches.
• Undertake simulated addresses; 
• Be critiqued by the judge; 
• Be critiqued by their coaches and be given an individualised summary of performance and areas to consider;  
• Replay their performance, addressing the points made in the morning session;
• Observe a demonstration of skills and techniques by senior counsel.

Who should attend

The workshop is best suited to intermediate and senior practitioners - approximately seven years post-admission experience (PAE). Members of specialist bars are welcome and will be given coaching that reflects the specialist nature of their bar. If you do not have seven years or more PAE but believe that you may still benefit from this course, please contact our Training Director to discuss your potential participation.