Office of International Affairs organized webinar on “Courtroom Advocacy Skills” on 23rd Nov by Ms. Theresa Lynch , Director- Advocacy, Birmingham University, UK, .
The main objective of the event was to provide a platform under IETS to AUH fraternity to interact and brainstorm with top academicians from premier foreign institutions across the globe and learn the best practices on the contemporary topics across various domains. It also provided an opportunity to collaborative on various activities with top foreign universities to strengthen linkages.
Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) PB Sharma talked about the importance of advocacy to drive justice to its logical conclusion and said “Advocacy is not just a communication skill but it’s an art to utilize the short period of time in the most effective way to guide the hon’ble court with all the facts and evidences. Everybody is not good at justice and that’s why we need advocates.” He also talked about changing paradigm in court proceedings with technology application and advised practitioners and buddying layers to learn from the best law practices of UK for fast resolution of huge bulk of pending cases in India.
In her special address, Ms. Theresa Lynch, Director Advocacy, Birmingham University, UK talked about various aspects of courtroom advocacy skills and their applications in courtroom proceedings in most effective way. She talked about the role of Presentation, Verbal and Non-Verbal Communications, Professional Legal Ethics, Courtroom Advocacy Type and shared the insights with some very lucid examples to master them. Ms Lynch accentuated on the warming up body, breathe and voice before the proceedings and share some important exercises for the same. Ms Theresa shared insights about the role of oral presentation and speaking notes for effective advocacy. She shared the formula of 4P’s of vocal expression, Power, Pace, Pitch and Pause; and explained how the practice on oral presentation can create higher impact in persuading proceeding.
Ms. Theresa Lynch emphasized on the importance of practice and said “Practice is very key to make sure that your arguments actually do sit and judge listens and is persuaded by them.” She suggested the budding lawyers and practitioners to take maximum benefit of mooting before actual court proceeding in order to get the desired results in their most impactive way. She emphasized on the importance of moot and concluded her session with Moot Mantra, i.e. “Proper planning, preparation and practice will assist in preventing a poor performance!”
Theresa has an undergraduate degree in Law and an LLM in Criminal Litigation and has been called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn. Prior to joining Birmingham Law School, she was employed by the Crown Prosecution Service and she first joined the Law School as a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant. Theresa’s present role is as Director of Advocacy at Birmingham Law School. She has a keen interest in teaching and researching legal skills and as part of her Director of Advocacy role she co-ordinates many student focused activities such as mooting, debating, negotiation, client interviewing and mock trials. Theresa is currently engaged in research which explores the use made of mooting as a learning and teaching tool. Theresa’s other research interests are in the field of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice.
Dean- Faculty of Law and Director-ALS, Maj. Gen. PK Sharma, thanked Ms. Lynch for such a comprehensive talk and supported her argument on importance of practice and mooting before actual proceedings. He highlighted in his remarks, “An advocate must have five important aspects, compassion, communication, creativity, perseverance and assertiveness but not aggressiveness “He also highlighted the need of courtroom advocacy skills for all lawyers in today’s globally competitive world.Session was closed with vote of thanks from Prof. (Dr.) Gunjan M Sanjeev where she thanked guest for the wonderful, comprehensive, and lucid session and other panelist for sharing their valuable insights. She concluded the session with her remarks stating that “Advocacy skills are not just needed by advocates but are quality trait of all the leaders and managers”.
Session witnessed around 200 students, Faculty members and audience from India and Overseas. Session was coordinated by Ms. Shaivy Sharma and Mr. Khushin Lakhara, Office of International Affairs.