SQE2 Advocacy
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The advocacy assessment in SQE2 is a practical exercise designed to evaluate your ability to present a legal argument effectively in court. You are provided with a case study and instructed, via an email, to conduct an advocacy exercise before a judge. The email specifies the type of hearing and the court in which you are to appear. Depending on the scenario, you may also receive a file of supporting documents relevant to the case. These materials form the factual and legal foundation upon which the oral submission is to be based.
You are given 45 minutes to prepare your oral advocacy in the context of Dispute Resolution and Criminal Practice. This preparation time is critical for reviewing the facts, identifying the relevant legal issues, planning the structure of the submission, and anticipating any questions the judge might raise. Following this, you are expected to deliver a 15-minute oral submission to a judge, played by a solicitor of England and Wales. The assessor will evaluate both your advocacy skills and your application of the law to the specific situation.
In the advocacy session, you must demonstrate a clear, logical, and well-structured approach to the submission. Effective courtroom advocacy requires the use of appropriate legal language and tone, as well as courteous and professional conduct. You must engage directly with the judge, responding appropriately to questions and adapting your submission where necessary. The ability to present a persuasive argument is central to this exercise, and you are expected to include all key facts that support your case.
Legal accuracy is also essential. You must apply the law correctly and comprehensively to the client’s circumstances, ensuring that all relevant legal principles are addressed. Where necessary, the submission should also reflect awareness of ethical and professional conduct issues, such as duties to the court and obligations of honesty and integrity. The ability to exercise sound judgment in navigating these issues will be taken into account as part of the assessment.
