Course description
Overview
This course will give you a ‘blueprint’ for doing criminal trials in the Magistrates’ Court - aimed towards giving you more confidence. The course will also assist with case management and preparation and give you a real understanding of the trial process.
Delivered by an experienced criminal practitioner.
Who is this for?
This course is a ‘must’ course for anyone embarking upon or already doing criminal trials in the Magistrates’ Court, including trainee solicitors, those qualifying through CILEX or qualified practitioners wanting more knowledge, guidance, skills and strategy.
What will you learn?
This one-day course is packed with take away frameworks and learnings. By the end of the course you will be able to:- Conduct Examination-in-Chief and obtain from the witness those valuable ‘nuggets of evidence’ contained in their written statement whilst making effective use of section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003
- Cross- Examine effectively and highlight discrepancies
- Re- Examine and appreciate the tactical advantages in leaving well alone
- Use 12 valuable points in your closing speech
- Open a case and know how to respond to the opening in your closing speech
- Manage an application for Bad Character during the course of the trial or responding to it
- Manage an application for Hearsay during the course of the trial or responding to it
- Conduct effective pre-trial preparation
- Describe the law in relation to ‘hostile witnesses’ and what the party calling that witness can do with them
- Identify who bears the burden (and sometimes it's the defence) and the difference between an evidential and a legal/persuasive one
- Understand fully the structure of a criminal trial and the circumstances in which you may wish to make a submission of no case to answer or a response to one
How will this help your career?
If you want to progress as an advocate onto a higher level under the Higher Rights Assessment Qualification scheme you are going to have to submit yourself to some form of assessment.
The course will involve two trial scenarios involving how to fully utilise and maximise an examination in chief, to cross examine effectively and with impact, the strategic approach to these two skills plus how to focus yourself for speeches and the mind of the Bench.
Interim applications such as bad character and hearsay will also be covered, along with how to deal with these issues at trial late in the day. The course will also utilise a breach of bail conditions scenario.
There will also be an opportunity, for those wishing to do so, to practice some advocacy on the day.
This course really is a full, in depth and critical piece of training for those in this practice area. Even if you are not ‘on your feet’ but are preparing cases for trial this course will assist you to understand how best to approach that case management and preparation.
PSC Elective
This course may be taken as a PSC elective, although it may also be attended by non-trainees.
SRA Competencies
B, C
Other related courses
Advising At The Police Station - Core knowledge & Skills
Criminal Advocacy - Bail & Mitigation
Criminal Advocacy - The Youth Court
Essential Criminal Law
Practice & Procedure In The Magistrates' Court
Road Traffic Law - A Practical Guide
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Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
This is a ‘must’ course in 2017 for anyone embarking upon or already doing criminal trials in the Magistrates’ Court. You really will take away a ‘blueprint’ for the trial which will give you an enormous amount of confidence.
Training Course Content
By the end of this course you will be able to:Conduct Examination-in-Chief and obtain from the witness those valuable ‘nuggets of evidence’ contained in their written statement whilst making effective use of section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003Cross- Examine effectively and highlight discrepanciesRe- Examine and appreciate the tactical advantages in leaving well alone.Use 12 valuable points in your closing speech.Open a case and know how to respond to the opening in your closing speech.Manage an application for Bad Character during the course of the trial or responding to it.Manage an application for Hearsay during the course of the trial or responding to it.Conduct effective pre-trial preparationDescribe the law in relation to ‘hostile witnesses’ and what the party calling that witness can do with them.Identify who bears the burden (and sometimes it's the defence) and the difference between an evidential and a legal/persuasive one.Understand fully the structure of a criminal trial and the circumstances in which you may wish to make a submission of no case to answer or a response to one.