Advocacy: A Practical Guide

Peter Lyons was an Australian barrister and solicitor. He delivered advocacy, litigation and negotiation skills courses to barristers, solicitors and patent attorneys, including programmes for many of the top City law firms in London. His company, CPD Training (UK) Limited (www.cpdtraining.net), was founded in 2005. Peter Lyons died in 2023.Chris Taylor is an English solicitor and legal skills trainer. He qualified in 1999 and spent many years as a commercial litigator at Addleshaw Goddard and later Eversheds. In 2005 he assisted Peter Lyons to establish CPD Training (UK) Limited, which he continues to run today.

• Preface to the Second EditionForeword to the First EditionAbout the Authors1      PRESENTATION SKILLS1     Substance1.1     Knowledge of subject1.2     Structure1.3     Tell a story1.4     Simple words1.5     Picture words1.6     Putting it into practice2     Style2.1     Beating nerves2.2     Practice2.3     Stance and gestures2.4     Timing2.5     Sounding convinced2.6     Paying attention2.7     The digital age2.8     Sender – message – receiver3     Presentation skills: checklist3.1     Preparation3.2     Delivery2      THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD ADVOCATE1     Integrity2     A good voice3     Presence4     A quick adaptable mind5     Knowledge of human nature6     Courage7     Well-mannered and in control of temper8     Knowledge of the facts and the law9     Norman Birkett’s checklist3      PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT1     The advocate’s duty2     Rules of conduct3     Your instructions4     The advocate’s view5     Bringing the profession into disrepute6     Courtesy in court7     Professional conduct: checklist4      CASE ANALYSIS1     The facts2     Parties3     Evidence4     Conclusions5     Case theory6     Cross-examination7     How to analyse a case8     The blitz9     The edit9.1     Fact one: C is an antique dealer9.2     Fact two: C was talked into it by D9.3     Fact three: Worthington thinks the sculpture is a fake9.4     Fact four: Sculpture is worth £3,0009.5     Fact five: C offered £820,0009.6     Last fact: D described it as Assyrian10   Forming the case theory11   The blitz and its uses12   Why a case theory is important13   Preparation and proof14   Case analysis: checklist5      INTERIM APPLICATIONS (MOTIONS)1     Preparing the submission1.1     Structure1.2     Know all of the facts1.3     Know the procedural history1.4     Know where your documents are1.5     Anticipate your opponent’s arguments1.6     Find out about the judge1.7     Research the law and the judge’s powers1.8     Have submissions on costs ready: win or lose2     Making the submission2.1     Address the court appropriately2.2     Announcing your appearance2.3     Outline the application and the requested relief2.4     Structure your submission2.5     Make the judge’s job easier2.6     Respond directly to questions2.7     Be flexible and make concessions if appropriate2.8     Be courteous and professional2.9     Make a note2.10   Read the judge2.11   Using a skeleton2.12   Reply if necessary2.13   After the decision2.14   Knowledge of the rules3     Interim applications: checklist3.1     Preparing the submission3.2     Making the submission3.3     After the decision6      ONLINE ADVOCACY1     Presenting online2     Set-up2.1     Remove distractions2.2     Choose your location2.3     Lighting2.4     Your appearance on screen2.5     Virtual backgrounds2.6     Multiple screens2.7     Test your set-up3     Hearing preparation3.1     Procedural considerations3.2     Bundles3.3     Witnesses3.4     Practical considerations4     At the hearing4.1     Etiquette4.2     Handling the camera4.3     Gestures and body language4.4     Voice control4.5     Referring to notes4.6     Use of visuals5     Online advocacy: checklist5.1     Set-up5.2     Hearing preparation5.3     At the hearing7      WRITTEN ADVOCACY1     Madman, architect, builder, judge2     Constructing the sentences2.1     Lord Denning2.2     George Orwell2.3     Bertrand Russell3     Statements of case and points of claim4     Witness statements5     And finally8      SKELETON ARGUMENTS1     Skeleton arguments: checklist1.1     Purpose1.2     Technical content1.3     Referring to authorities1.4     Formal matters1.5     Style9      PREPARING WITNESSES1     Encouraging false evidence2     Coaching2.1     England2.2     Australia2.3     United States3     Expert witnesses4     How judges see witnesses5     Contemporary documents6     Practical matters10    EXAMINATION-IN-CHIEF OR DIRECT EXAMINATION1     No leading questions2     Start your questions with the words ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘where’, ‘why’, ‘how’, ‘who’, ‘please describe’, ‘tell the court’3     Simple words and short questions4     Style5     Arrange your facts6     Sources of evidence7     Controlling the witness8     What happened next?9     Know the answer10   Avoid compound questions11   Listen to the answer12   Take the sting out of the cross-examination13   Avoid gremlins14   End strongly11    CROSS-EXAMINATION1     The purpose of cross-examination2     Showing evidence to be unreliable2.1     Mistaken, lazy or unprepared2.2     Incompetent2.3     Negligent2.4     Lacking authority2.5     Unqualified2.6     Speculating or exaggerating2.7     Biased or defensive 2.8     Hiding something2.9     A combination of the above objectives2.10   Previous behaviour in any of the above3     Preparing to cross-examine4     Taking facts from other witness statements5     Is the cross-examination necessary?6     Putting your case7     Delivery8     Know the answer or be sure it won’t hurt you9     Assert; don’t ask10   One fact per question11   Don’t argue with the witness12   Making comments is wrong13   Cutting off answers14   Questions based on controversial assumptions15   Questions on stereotypes16   Vulnerable witnesses17   Controlling the witness18   Causing the problem19   Getting the answer you want20   More serious offences21   Refreshing a witness’s memory in cross-examination22   Impeachment23   The talkative witness24   When to ask open questions25   The risks of open questions, arguments and conclusions26   Don’t be pompous27   The ‘Did you?’ question28   Collateral questions29   Cross-examination on documents30   How the cross-examination fits into closing31   How to finish32   Cross-examination: checklist32.1   Preparation32.2   Delivery32.3   Style12    RE-EXAMINATION1     Re-examination: checklist13    EXPERT WITNESSES1     Direct examination of the expert1.1     Introduction and qualifications1.2     Method1.3     Opinion2     Cross-examination2.1     Preparation2.2     Your opponent’s expert2.3     The opposing expert’s method2.4     The cross-examination itself2.5     Case study: cross-examination of the claimant’s expert2.6     Case study: cross-examination of the defendant’s expert3     Re-examination14    ADDRESSES1     Striking the right note2     The opening address3     The closing address15    SUBMISSIONS OF LAW1     Preparation1.1     Know the court and its powers1.2     Know the facts1.3     Know the law1.4     Cite authorities properly1.5     Know where your documents are1.6     Anticipate your opponent’s arguments1.7     Anticipate what the court might ask2     Structure3     Argument dilution4     Know what order the court should make5     Method5.1     The psychology of a judge5.2     Point-first advocacy5.3     Say why you should win; not why the other side should lose5.4     Pick only the best points to argue5.5     Don’t read5.6     Keep to the point6     Answering questions6.1     Answer questions directly6.2     How to answer6.3     The purpose of the question6.4     If you don’t know the answer7     Your style – impact8     Skilful advocates make it simple9     Credibility10   When to reply11   Does oral advocacy make a difference?12   Conclusion13   Addresses and submissions of law: checklist13.1   Nerves13.2   Structure13.3   Notes13.4   Stance and gestures13.5   DeliveryAPPENDICES1      Case Study: Cavendish v Downham2      Further Reading AcknowledgementsIndex