Edinburgh Sheriff Court Spring Talk Series 2024

The talks will cover the same material as last year’s but will allow people who could not attend the 2023 series to attend this year.

They are aimed at trainee solicitors and those who have been qualified for up to three years. The talks will provide an opportunity to learn or refresh court presentation skills and will take place within Edinburgh Sheriff Court, 27 Chambers Street.

Each presentation will comprise two talks, each delivered by a sheriff. The series of presentations will cover a wide range of hearings, procedures and skills. They are not designed to cover questions of substantive law. The aim of these presentations is to enhance practitioners’ professional skills in oral and written presentation of cases, and to cover topics such as conduct and presentation within court, persuasive advocacy and best practice.

Each presentation will be formatted to enable those attending to claim CPD points.

Presenting a legal argument

Thursday 9th May 2024 at 4.30pm to 5.30pm

The aim of this presentation is to improve your skills presenting legal argument in court.
At the end of the presentation you should have improved understanding of:

• effective preparation for presenting argument in court
• effective structure for legal argument
• effective use of supporting materials
• the sheriff’s perspective

Sheriff Campbell KC and Sheriff O’Carroll

Asking better questions

Thursday 16th May 2024 at 4.30pm to 5.30pm

The aim of this presentation is to improve your skills in examining witnesses.

You will learn how to ask both open and closed questions to build a narrative.

• planning your examination
• effective cross-examination
• effective re-examination
• the sheriff’s perspective

Sheriff Auchincloss and Sheriff S Fraser

Preparing for a proof – an overview

Thursday 23rd May 2024 at 4.30pm to 5.30pm

The aim of this presentation is to improve your skills in preparing for a proof.
At the end of the presentation you should have improved understanding of:

• effective preparation for a proof
• effective analysis of your case and identifying what you need to prove
• effective presentation of evidence including productions
• the need to agree evidence
• outline submissions and authorities
• the sheriff’s perspective

Sheriff Fife and Sheriff Dickson

Attendance at the presentations is free, but registration is required by 12 noon on the day of the presentation.

Please register with Margaret McCrimmon at MMcCrimmon@scotcourts.gov.uk