Florida Civil Advocacy Course for Juniors
The South Eastern Circuit Florida Advanced Civil Trial Advocacy Course held at the University of Florida, Gainesville
11 May until 16 May 2015
Four Scholarships are available for current members of the South Eastern Circuit of up to 7 years’ Call. Applicants must be paid up members of the SEC (application for membership of the Circuit may be made at the same time). They should also practise in or predominantly practise in civil law. The course is based on a personal injury and clinical negligence trial and is designed to provide in-depth, demonstration-based instruction of trial advocacy techniques through performance, critique and video review. The Advanced Trial Advocacy Program is a one-week continuing legal education training seminar held at the Levin College of Law every May, since 1991 and is sponsored by the Florida Bar. Each year barristers from our Circuit and one Silk (as faculty), participate and share their views of the English versus American systems of justice.
An application for accreditation for CPD has been made. The previous courses have attracted 45 hours of CPD, including 9 hours of advocacy and 3 hours of ethics.
The written applications will be assessed by a panel and those selected will be notified by email. Following a review of the selection process, all applicants will be considered having regard to the following criteria:-
1. Experience (commensurate with call). Applicants should practice in any area of civil law (ie any area of law other than criminal law) and have recent advocacy experience in the Courts of England and Wales (or equivalent first instance Tribunals, depending on area of practice). Diversity of experience is to be welcomed.
2. Ability. Applicants will possess above average written and oral advocacy skills;
3. The Panel will consider the applicant’s reasons for wishing to attend the course, what he or she intends to gain from the course and what he or she will contribute to the course;
4. Contribution. Any contribution the individual applicant has made to the profession, for example to a professional body. Contributions to the South Eastern Circuit will be viewed favourably.
Applications from those who have not previously benefitted from Circuit programmes or who have less than four years’ post tenancy experience will receive priority. Applications from previous course attendees will not be considered.
The South Eastern Circuit is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.
Successful candidates will fund and arrange their own travel. They will be expected to travel to Gainesville in time to attend the course on 12 May 2015 and it is likely that there will also be an opportunity to visit the District and Federal Courts in Tampa, Florida, on 11 May 2015. The course fees and accommodation are funded by Scholarships from the Florida Bar Association and the Trial Lawyers Section.
If you are interested, please send a short covering letter and a CV to Giles Powell, Old Square Chambers, London WC1R 4BU, DX 1046 LDE CH LANE, Email: powell@oldsquare.co.uk by Friday 20 March 2015.