Norton Rose First Year Trial Advocacy
Sponsored by Norton Rose
The 2011 Norton Rose First Year Trial Advocacy Competition involves a simulated trial in which teams of two counsel represent the prosecution/plaintiff or the defence. The focus of the competition is examination and cross-examination of witnesses to provide an answer to a particular legal problem, together with the presentation of brief opening and closing addresses. Given this fact-finding objective, no knowledge of the substantive law is necessary, and only limited pre-trial preparation is required.
First Year Trial Advocacy is one of two competitions devoted solely to first and second year students. Questions are restricted to criminal matters and the competition is slightly shorter than the Trial Advocacy competition, in order to give younger students an introduction into the rules of evidence and an insight into the operation of the court system. The problems, set before the Magistrate’s Court, the District Court or the Supreme Court and heard by a single presiding judge or magistrate, are designed to reflect real court practice, and are often based on actual criminal matters.
Trial Advocacy is one of the most dynamic and exciting competitions that Blackstone organises; if you harbour secret ambitions of yourself in a starring role in Law and Order this is the competition for you. You can also indulge your theatrical fantasies by volunteering as a witness.
The Coordinator of the 2011 Norton Rose First Year Trial Advocacy Competition is Tara Lewis. Please direct all queries to email hidden; JavaScript is required.
Competition Dates
Round 1: Wednesday 16th, Thursday 17th, Wednesday 23rd & Thursday 24th March 2011
Round 2: Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st April 2011
Quarter-Final: Thursday 5th May 2011
Semi-Final: Thursday 12th May 2011
Grand Final: Thursday 19th May 2011
Competition Materials
