Instruction and realistic exercises follow the same curriculum in person or live online. Online cohorts use live discussion and practice rooms.
Day 01
Tribunal Advocacy and Case Theory
Build a case theory and put it to work in preliminary hearing and submissions exercises.
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Tribunal advocacy principles
Understand the Tribunal environment, the order sought and professional oral communication.
Case theory
Use pleadings, evidence and authorities to identify the issues and organise a persuasive case.
Break
Preliminary Hearing exercise
Make case-management applications and respond to Tribunal questioning, with tutor feedback.
Lunch
Effective oral submissions
Prioritise propositions, apply the facts and law, and make the requested direction clear.
Practical submissions exercise
Work through a contested procedural issue, using the case papers and authorities.
Break
Tribunal intervention and difficult questions
Adapt submissions when the Tribunal tests the case theory or evidence.
Practical exercise and feedback
Apply the day’s feedback in a shorter responsive advocacy round.
Day 02
Witness Advocacy and Closing the Case
Question witnesses with purpose, then bring evidence and law together in closing submissions.
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Witness handling principles
Set evidential objectives and prepare a clear questioning sequence.
Examination-in-chief and witness evidence
Elicit relevant evidence, use documents and respond to unexpected answers.
Break
Cross-examination strategy
Develop propositions, control questions and confront inconsistent evidence fairly.
Lunch
Practical cross-examination exercises
Question a witness, receive individual feedback and refine the approach.
Break
Closing submissions
Connect findings, legal tests and remedy to the evidence actually heard.
Final Tribunal advocacy exercise
Bring witness evidence, Tribunal questions and closing submissions into one performance.
Individual and group feedback
Identify strengths and precise next steps for Tribunal practice.
Indicative timetable. Sequence and timings can be agreed to suit your firm and cohort.
Work from a case file.
A developing Employment Tribunal file supplies pleadings, a preliminary hearing problem, witness material and competing accounts. Participants prepare applications, test evidence and close on the issues that matter.
01
Demonstrate
Experienced advocates model a focused approach to the task.
02
Perform
Participants conduct the advocacy themselves, in the room or live online.
03
Develop
Direct individual feedback identifies what to keep, change and practise again.
Learning outcomes.
Participants leave with practical feedback and a clearer method for future hearings. The programme does not substitute for a firm's supervision or rights-of-audience requirements.
Advocate at preliminary and case-management hearings
Build a usable case theory from pleadings and evidence
Question and challenge witnesses with an evidential purpose
Respond directly to Tribunal questions
Make closing, remedy and costs submissions
Adapt oral advocacy after individual feedback
Your instructors.
Practising advocates and experienced tutors lead demonstrations, repeated practice and individual feedback.
Tutor numbers reflect cohort size, with multiple instructors where needed for individual practice and feedback. Faculty and delivery are agreed with the firm before training.
Tailored to your team.
A defined curriculum, with exercises tailored to your firm’s work.
Practice areaParticipant seniorityTypical hearingsClient profileDevelopment objectivesIdentified advocacy weaknesses
