Florida Civil Course 2025 (Junior)

The South Eastern Circuit Advanced Civil Trial Advocacy Program held in Orlando, Florida from 13th May 2025 – 17th May 2025

Four Scholarships are available for junior members of the South Eastern Circuit Applicants must be a paid up member of the SEC, (application for membership of the Circuit may be made at the same time) and demonstrate real diversity of experience and detailed knowledge of Civil law and procedure at the Bar of England and Wales.  

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 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 and the American systems of justice.

Course fees and accommodation will be provided; however, candidates will be required to make their own travel arrangements to Florida.

It is likely that there will also be an opportunity to visit the District and Federal Courts in Orlando or Tampa.

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: -

• 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 Tribunals, depending on area of practice). Diversity of experience is to be welcomed.
• Ability. Applicants will possess above average written and oral advocacy skills.
• 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.
• 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 will receive priority. Applications from previous course attendees will not be considered.

An application for accreditation for CPD has been made. Previous courses have attracted 45 hours of CPD, including 9 hours of advocacy and 3 hours of ethics.  

If you are interested, please send a short covering letter and CV, with your call date, to Aaron Dolan by email: aaron.dolan@southeastcircuit.org.uk by 1st March 2025.