Rights of audience in the higher courts

Advocacy adviserThe Law Society's contract with its current advocacy adviser is about to expire and, in accordance with its equal opportunities policy, the Society is advertising the post which will start immediatelyThis post has been revised in the light of the proposed new regime being developed under the Access to Justice Act for solicitors who wish to exercise rights of audience in the higher courts.

This post will be key in the proposed new regime.

The advocacy adviser will have overall responsibility for keeping the regime under review and in particular will:l be responsible for ensuring the integrity of the processes relating to assessment of experience in the routes to qualification and assist in settling guidance; l make recommendations concerning applications by providers to offer training and assessment in procedure evidence and ethics and in advocacy skills; l review and report on the training and assessment provided by authorised providers;l act as an external examiner on providers' examination boards and supervise any other external examiners; andl make an annual report on the operation of the scheme.The candidate , who must have been admitted as a solicitor for a minimum of seven years, must have experience of higher court proceedings, preferably in both the civil and criminal courts, and will be experienced in advocacy training as well as in skills and knowledge assessment.

Excellent interpersonal skills are essential.The contract will be for three years.

The proposed fee, which is subject to formal approval, will be 10,000 in the first year (to reflect the development work ) and 7,500 in subsequent years.

In addition, reasonable expenses will be paid.Applications, which must be made in writing and include curriculum vitae together with a statement in support, should be submitted by 25 July 2000.

Interviews will take place in August 2000.

For an information pack, please contact Rachael Reeson, Legal Education & Training Directorate, The Law Society, Ipsley Court, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 OTD - DX 19114 REDDITCH.E-mail: rachael.reeson@lawsociety.org.ukTelephone: (main number) 020 7242 1222 ext 3355 or (local calls) 01527 517141 ext 3355.