1. Introduction to Advocacy
Donata Szabo

2. Points to consider What is advocacy? “Advocatus” Who are advocates?
What is the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?
What do think are the ingredients of good advocacy?
Have you ever done advocacy?
Let’s see an example.
Plea in mitigation:
Discuss what you saw: what do you think was good and bad?

3. Different Courts in the UK
Magistrates’ Court
Crown courtCrown Court intro:
Tribunals (e.g. SEND, Immigration, Employment, etc.)
County Court
High Court
Court of Appeal (Civil and Criminal Divisions)
Supreme Court
How to address a judge
Magistrates’ Court: Sir/Madam
Crown Court/High Court/County Court: Your Honour (or Master/Mistress)
High Court/Court of Appeal/Supreme Court: Your Lordship/Ladyship/My Lord/Lady

4. Key phrases
“in my respectful submission”
“I would submit”
“with all due respect to your Lordship’s/Ladyship’s view…”
“unless I could be of further assistance”
“I’m grateful for this indication”
Use of Civil Procedure Rules and Blackstone’s Criminal Practice

5. Case analysis What is case analysis? Why do you have to do it?
Ingredients:
What is the case about? (i.e. here – what offence?)
Key Facts
Good facts
Bad facts
Previous criminal history
Personal circumstances
Sentencing guidelines

6. Plea in mitigation
Introductory matters (introduce yourself, your client, what you want)
Introduce the theme/main points
Explanations to aggravating features
Highlight and address mitigating features of the offence
Identify mitigating factors arising from defendant’s previous history
Explain mitigation based on defendant’s personal circumstances
Summarise your points
Request an appropriate sentence

7. Now, try it yourself!