Advocacy programme

The advocacy training programme is a series of courses including development of communication skills, self-awareness and voice projection as well as advocacy skills such as cross-examination. The courses are taught by established practitioners as well as experienced trainers from the world of performing arts.

The course offers a small group of students the opportunity to work on their physical presence; voice; emotional intelligence; and key skills such as submissions to a judge and cross-examination.  The course combines training on value systems, physical work to help trainees manage nerves and develop presence, and voice work with practical exercises on submissions and cross examination.  It ends with an Action Clinic, where the cohort will put everything they have learned into practice in a courtroom setting.

The course is suitable for those doing the BPTC; or those who have completed the BPTC who are seeking or have a pupillage.

Applications to the course are considered by a small group of Trust representatives who assess them using clear criteria.

The Kalisher Trust Advocacy Training Course — Summer 2023

We are pleased to announce that the Trust will be organising its coveted criminal advocacy training course in Summer 2023, and applications are now open.

The course runs over six evening sessions in the Royal Courts of Justice and at Chambers in London, and then a Saturday ‘Action Clinic’ at the Old Bailey. The trainers are judges, barristers, and from the world of the performing arts.

This is an intensive course aimed at those who are doing or have done their BPTC, up to and including those undertaking a first six pupillage.

The course teaches advocacy skills, and complementary skills such as physical presence, communication skills, and voice projection. It is training in the form of a complete package of the attributes and advocacy skills needed for those taking their first steps towards a career as a criminal barrister.

The dates are below. To apply, please send your application via email to [email protected]

We are looking to select 10 participants in total. Deadline for applications is 23:59 on 14/06/2023.

Applications should include:

– Confirmation that you can attend all the dates.  Those who cannot will be asked to consider courses at a future time.

– A short (2 page) CV.

– A covering letter setting out why you want to become a criminal barrister, and how your circumstances meet the Trust’s ethos of supporting those who have suffered significant financial challenges, and/or are from an under-represented group.

Sessions 1 – 6 are all at the Royal Courts of Justice or in Chambers in Central London from 5:45pm – 9:00pm approx.

  • Session 1 — 21 June 2023.
  • Session 2 — 28 June 2023.
  • Session 3 — 5 July 2023.
  • Session 4 — 12 July 2023.
  • Session 5 — 13 July 2023.
  • Session 6 — 19 July 2023.
  • Finally, a full day action clinic at the Old Bailey on 22 July 2023.

For further information or queries, please contact Kalisher Trustee Rabah Kherbane at [email protected].