Thinking on your feet: practical guidance on advocacy

This is an excellent ‘how to?’ guide about court hearings in the civil courts and employment tribunals. Written by four barristers who have a lot of practical experience on their feet, this book is mainly aimed at the bar, although it will be very helpful for any advocate. On Your Feet is a guide to the type of hearings a junior advocate is likely to come across in civil litigation and covers general civil cases, personal injury, landlord and tenant, commercial and employment law. Each section has details of the key rules, case law, general comments and tips.

The book is very good on practical matters, particularly the potentially confusing area of costs orders. I wish I had one of these books when I was attending registrar appointments as they were then. Sets of draft orders and suggested attendance notes to send to your eager instructing solicitor are also included. I do not think I have ever seen such detailed attendance notes from counsel – but I live in hope. 

While this book is not really about advocacy per se but a practical guide to different hearings, there is a section on getting to the (right) court, what to take, when to robe, data protection and what to call the judge. The advice is very good and again will be suitable for a member of the bar or caseworker. 

I look forward to seeing a similar book on criminal law, family law and other tribunals.

 David Pickup is a partner at Pickup & Scott Solicitors, Aylesbury

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