Courtroom and Tribunal Advocacy Strategies

Students will develop skills and techniques and examine the framework for implementing effective courtroom and tribunal advocacy strategies. Students will explore the phases of litigation, from the drafting of pleadings to the pre-trial process and from the preparation of witnesses to trial strategies. Using checklists, case briefs, witness statements and trial notebooks, students will organize and structure a case and have hands-on opportunities to present opening and closing arguments, conduct direct examinations and cross-examinations, challenge expert evidence and prepare appeal factums. Finally, students will examine the application of the rules of evidence, strategies for witnesses, and ethics within an advocacy context.