Edinburgh sheriffs offer court skills classes

Recently qualified lawyers who have had fewer opportunities to improve their presentation skills in court due to the pandemic, have the chance to learn or refresh their skills through a series of presentations next month at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Each presentation will comprise two or three talks, delivered by sheriffs. The series will cover a wide range of hearings, procedures and skills, rather than substantive law. The aim is to enhance practitioners’ professional skills in oral and written presentation of cases, covering topics such as conduct and presentation within court, persuasive advocacy and best practice.

Taking place within Edinburgh Sheriff Court, 27 Chambers Street, Edinburgh, from 4.30-5.30pm, each presentation will be formatted to enable those attending to claim CPD points.

The series comprises:

Thursday 2 March: Presenting a legal argument

Presented by Sheriff Campbell KC and Sheriff O’Carroll, this aims to improve your skills presenting legal argument in court, through improved understanding of effective preparation for presenting argument in court; effective structure for legal argument; effective use of supporting materials; and the sheriff’s perspective.

Thursday 9 March: Preparing for a proof – an overview

Presented by Sheriff Fife and Sheriff Dickson, this aims is to improve your skills in preparing for a proof, though improved understanding of effective preparation for a proof; effective analysis of your case and identifying what you need to prove; effective presentation of evidence including productions; the need to agree evidence; outline submissions and authorities; and the sheriff’s perspective.

Thursday 16 March: Asking better questions

Presented by Sheriff S Auchincloss and Sheriff S Fraser, this aims to improve your skills in examining witnesses, through learning how to ask both open and closed questions to build a narrative: planning your examination; effective cross-examination; effective re-examination; and the sheriff’s perspective.

Thursday 23 March: Family actions

Presented by Sheriff Stirling, Sheriff S Flinn and Sheriff Kelly KC, this aims to improve your skills in family actions, through improved understanding of key rules relating to family actions; requirements when presenting an initial writ to court; effective conduct of a child welfare hearing; effective use of affidavits; ethical issues arising in family actions; and the sheriff’s perspective.

Attendance at the presentations is free, but registration is required by 12 noon on the day of the presentation.  

Please register with Margaret McCrimmon at MMcCrimmon@scotcourts.gov.uk