Keble: a reformed advocate
By Charlene Hawkins
“You’ll come back a reformed advocate,” members of chambers said. They were not wrong. Not only can I now open a case with ‘loaded neutrality’, cross-examine with precision, focus, control and grapple with technical issues usually best left to experts but I can also peel a banana like the experts…
It would be a lie to say that the five days on the Keble Advanced International Advocacy Course were easy. The course is highly intense, tightly timetabled and hugely demanding (but, hey, if you don’t like challenges, don’t come to the Bar). A large set of papers landed in my pigeonhole six weeks ago suggesting at least three days preparation time and setting out a dense schedule. Proper preparation is the key to really getting the most out of the course. It is the only way of truly identifying where one’s weaknesses lie and, thus, receiving appropriate and relevant feedback for the future.
Participants and trainers attend from all over the common law world, including Australia, South Africa, the Caribbean, Ireland and Pakistan. Although the course mainly comprises junior barristers from the Bar of England and Wales, there are also barristers from the CPS and foreign jurisdictions with whom priceless cross-border and cross-discipline insights can be shared whilst eating, drinking and conversing together.
The course is split into two streams - civil and criminal - with the objective of closely scrutinising each element of the trial process, including opening and closing speeches, witness handling and appellate advocacy. Participants also choose a medical or financial focus for handling expert witnesses. There is a unique opportunity to hold conferences with real life experts (leading endocrinologists for the medical problem and accountants from Deloittes for the financial problem), followed by the chance to examine and cross-examine them in an arena where your client’s interests are not actually at stake.
Each part of the course is preceded by a ‘master class’ relaying practical pointers and tips from the trainers and an exemplary demonstration giving the participants a chance to learn from the best. Patricia Lynch QC gave an entertaining presentation on how to handle vulnerable witnesses and Charles Haddon-Cave QC explained that we must not be afraid to learn from our expert; for example, a monkey would teach us the correct way to peel a banana.
Breakout sessions in groups of 8-10 follow the demonstrations. Each group is allocated a group tutor (who remains with the group all week) and two guest trainers who move between groups. Every participant is filmed and critiqued, and then benefits from a one-on-one video review on each piece of work. This is followed by a chance to replay the exercise later in the day to put the feedback into practice. Although senior members of chambers may be your trainers and Lord Grabiner may pop by to observe your performance, do not panic; the objective is to offer you practical advice and assistance.
Nerves aside, there is a real sense of camaraderie, with both faculty and participants rooting for you. It is incredible that eminent judges and QCs give up their valuable time to guide, encourage and support junior advocates of today by offering invaluable feedback. Faculty members include experienced trainers such as Lord Justice Munby, Mr Justice Langstaff, HHJ Hooper QC, Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, Geraldine Andrews QC, Edwin Glasgow QC, Philip Bartle QC, Philip Brook Smith QC, Anesta Weekes QC, Tim Dutton QC, Peter Harrison QC and many trainers from abroad. As well as their formal feedback, their advice and war stories over coffee and dinner are particularly reassuring.
The course is rounded up by a Friday night banquet, with beautiful musical renditions from Pia Dutton and Geraldine Andrews QC. Participants then face their final challenge in the form of mock trials on the Saturday. The trials are presided over by distinguished figures including Sir Gordon Langley, Mr Justice Burton, Paul Darling QC, HHJ Rivlin QC, HHJ Browne QC, HHJ Warner and HHJ Shanks. The trials give participants the chance to exhibit all of the talents learnt and developed over the course of the week (despite perhaps having had one too many glasses of wine the night before). The criminal trials are carried out in front of a mock jury from Oxford and the advocates are blessed with the one and only chance of getting inside information on the jury’s deliberations and finding out the psychology over what does and doesn’t work in practice.
The Keble Advanced Advocacy Course is a combination of hard work, passion and unique opportunities, coupled with good humour and friendships, all of which fills me with confidence for my career at the Bar. Keep up the good work SEC