What Is Advocacy? And Becoming An Advocate

What Does Advocacy Mean?

Advocacy is the act of representing and defending the rights and interests of others.

What Does An Advocate Do?

Advocates work to ensure that individuals or groups receive fair treatment, access to resources, and opportunities to have their voices heard in various contexts, such as legal, social, or political matters.

Why Is Advocacy An Important Skill?

Advocacy is an important skill because it empowers individuals to advocate for their rights, address injustices, and bring about positive change. It allows for effective representation of marginalised groups, influences policy decisions, promotes access to justice, and ensures a fair and equitable society for all.

Advocacy enables lawyers to effectively represent and advocate for their clients’ interests, present compelling arguments, navigate legal complexities, influence legal outcomes, and uphold the principles of justice. Strong advocacy skills enhance a lawyer’s ability to achieve favourable results for their clients.

What Is Advocacy In Law?

Advocacy in law, particularly in the UK, refers to the process of presenting arguments, making legal submissions, and representing clients’ interests in courtrooms or legal proceedings. It is a fundamental aspect of the legal profession, where advocates act as the voice for their clients and strive to achieve justice on their behalf.

Advocacy in law requires a range of skills, including effective communication, persuasive argumentation, legal analysis, and a deep understanding of legal principles and procedures. Advocates must be able to present their client’s case clearly and compellingly, anticipate counterarguments, and respond to questions from judges or opposing counsel.

In the UK, the advocacy profession is highly regarded, with specialised barristers often assuming the role of advocates. Barristers receive extensive training and gain experience through pupillages and working within chambers, honing their advocacy skills to navigate complex legal issues and represent their clients diligently.

Advocacy in law extends beyond the courtroom, as legal professionals may also engage in advocacy efforts through lobbying for legislative changes, participating in public debates, or advocating for policy reforms to promote a fair and just legal system.

What’s The Difference Between An Advocate And A Lawyer?

In the UK, the terms “advocate” and “lawyer” are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle distinction between the two. A lawyer is a broad term that encompasses both solicitors and barristers. Solicitors primarily provide legal advice, draft legal documents, and handle negotiations, while barristers specialise in advocacy and represent clients in court.

Advocates, specifically referring to barristers, focus primarily on courtroom advocacy, presenting arguments, cross-examining witnesses, and making legal submissions. They typically work independently or within barristers’ chambers and are instructed by solicitors to provide specialised legal representation in court.

While both lawyers and advocates are qualified legal professionals in the UK, the difference lies in the emphasis on courtroom advocacy and the specialised nature of the role that advocates, specifically barristers, undertake.

What Does a Legal Advocate Do?

A legal advocate plays a crucial role in representing and supporting clients in various legal matters. They provide expert advice, assistance, and representation to individuals who may not be able to navigate the legal system effectively on their own. Here are some of the key duties performed by a legal advocate:

• Providing legal advice: Advocates offer guidance and explanations of legal rights, options, and procedures to clients, enabling them to make informed decisions.
• Case assessment and strategy development: Advocates evaluate the merits of a case, conduct legal research, analyse evidence, and develop strategies to present the strongest possible arguments.
• Courtroom representation: Advocates represent clients in court proceedings, presenting arguments, cross-examining witnesses, and making legal submissions on their behalf.
• Negotiations and settlements: Advocates engage in negotiations with opposing parties or their legal representatives, aiming to reach fair settlements or resolution outside of court if possible.
• Drafting legal documents: Advocates prepare legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and briefs, ensuring they comply with legal requirements and effectively present the client’s position.
• Client support and advocacy: Advocates provide emotional support and reassurance to clients, acting as their advocate throughout the legal process, and ensuring their rights and interests are protected.
• Legal research and analysis: Advocates conduct in-depth research on legal precedents, statutes, and relevant case laws to strengthen their arguments and provide accurate legal advice to clients.
• Collaborating with solicitors: Advocates work closely with solicitors who instruct them, collaborating on case strategy, gathering evidence, and preparing for court proceedings.

What Are The Key Advocacy Skills?

Key advocacy skills include:

• Strong Communication: Advocates must be adept at clearly articulating complex legal arguments and presenting them in a persuasive manner. Effective communication skills help advocates engage with judges, juries, and opposing counsel.
• Legal Knowledge: An in-depth understanding of UK law is essential for advocates to navigate legal complexities, identify relevant precedents, and craft compelling arguments based on solid legal foundations.
• Analytical Thinking: Advocates need strong analytical skills to assess evidence, identify legal issues, and construct logical arguments. This enables them to build a persuasive case and effectively counter opposing arguments.
• Confidence and Resilience: Advocates must exude confidence in their abilities and remain resilient in the face of challenges. This helps them maintain composure during high-pressure situations and effectively respond to unexpected developments in court.
• Empathy and Persuasion: Effective advocates possess the ability to empathise with their clients, understand their needs, and tailor their arguments accordingly. 

When Is Legal Advocacy Used?

Legal advocacy is used in a variety of situations, including criminal trials, civil litigation, family law disputes, administrative hearings, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution processes. It is employed whenever legal representation and the presentation of arguments are required to protect and advance the rights and interests of individuals or organisations.

Advocacy Case Studies

Recent examples and case studies in the UK demonstrate the impact of effective advocacy:

• Shamima Begum Case: Advocates represented Shamima Begum, a UK citizen stripped of her citizenship for joining ISIS. The case involved complex legal arguments regarding citizenship, national security, and the rights of individuals. Advocates successfully argued for Begum’s right to return to the UK and challenge the decision.
• Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Advocates played a crucial role in representing survivors and victims’ families in the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire. Their advocacy efforts helped shed light on systemic failures, hold responsible parties accountable, and push for reforms in building safety regulations.
• Brexit Litigation: Advocates engaged in high-profile legal battles concerning Brexit, representing parties challenging the government’s decisions and advocating for their respective positions. These cases involved constitutional and administrative law arguments, demonstrating the power of advocacy in shaping significant political and legal developments.

These examples highlight how effective advocacy can influence legal outcomes, drive social change, and protect individuals’ rights. They underscore the importance of skilled advocates in ensuring justice, upholding the rule of law, and safeguarding the interests of their clients and the broader society.

How To Train In Legal Advocacy

Formal training in advocacy has undergone significant developments in the UK over the past 15 years. Traditionally, advocacy skills were believed to be acquired through observation and learning by example. However, inspired by Professor George Hampel QC’s systematic six-step method, structured advocacy training has gained prominence.

This training method involves simulated environments where new legal practitioners and pupil barristers act as advocates under time constraints, supported by experienced trainers. These trainers are seasoned legal practitioners with expertise in teaching advocacy. They observe trainees’ performances and provide valuable feedback.

To train in legal advocacy in the UK, aspiring advocates can follow a combination of steps:

• Obtain a qualifying law degree, such as an LLB, to establish a strong foundation in legal principles.
• Complete the Bar Practice Course (BPC), a vocational training program focused on advocacy skills, drafting, and legal research, specifically designed for aspiring barristers.
• Secure a pupillage, which offers practical training under the guidance of an experienced barrister, enabling hands-on courtroom experience and the development of advocacy skills.
• Join one of the four Inns of Court (Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple, or Gray’s Inn), which provide further advocacy training, networking opportunities, and professional development.
• Participate in mooting competitions during law school or as a barrister to practise advocacy skills and receive feedback from experienced practitioners.
• Engage in Continued Professional Development (CPD) activities, including advocacy workshops, training programs, and seminars, to continuously enhance and refine advocacy skills throughout one’s career.

Advocacy Training For Barristers

Advocacy training is a crucial component of becoming a barrister in the UK. The training is structured across different stages of a barrister’s career. Here’s a breakdown of the various advocacy training requirements:

• Vocational Stage of Training: Advocacy is extensively taught and assessed during the Bar course, which is the vocational stage of training for aspiring barristers. Students undergo written and oral assessments that cover areas such as submissions, witness handling, opinion writing, and drafting. These assessments take place in small group sessions with a focus on civil and criminal scenarios.
• Pupillage Training: The Pupils’ Advocacy Course is an essential aspect of advocacy training during the pupillage period, which is a practical training phase under the supervision of an experienced barrister. The course covers core aspects of advocacy and must be completed within the first six months of pupillage. Successful completion is necessary to obtain a full qualification certificate.
• New Practitioner Training: Barristers who have held a practising certificate for less than three years need to fulfil Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements outlined in the New Practitioner Programme (NPP). Within a three-year period, 45 hours of CPD must be completed, including at least nine hours dedicated to advocacy and three hours focused on ethics.
• Established Practitioner Training: Experienced barristers who have completed the NPP must continue their CPD under the rules of the Established Practitioners Programme (EPP). The CPD requirements for established practitioners offer more flexibility, allowing barristers to have greater responsibility in selecting CPD activities and a wider range of options.

Additionally, for solicitors aspiring to become solicitor advocates, obtaining a Higher Rights of Audience qualification is necessary. These qualifications are available in civil and criminal focus areas and typically involve written and practical assessments, including oral assessments and an advocacy test. Undertaking formal training in advocacy before attempting these assessments is highly recommended.

Types of Advocacy

Lawyers engage in various types of advocacy to represent and advance their clients’ interests. Here are some common types of advocacy that lawyers may undertake:

• Litigation Advocacy: This involves representing clients in court proceedings, presenting arguments, examining witnesses, and making legal submissions. Litigation advocacy focuses on persuading judges or juries to rule in favour of the client’s position.
• Appellate Advocacy: Appellate advocates handle cases on appeal, presenting written and oral arguments to appellate courts. They focus on legal analysis, precedent research, and persuasive advocacy to convince appellate judges to overturn or modify lower court decisions.
• Legislative Advocacy: Lawyers may engage in legislative advocacy by lobbying for or against specific laws or regulations. They draft proposed legislation, provide expert testimony, and work with policymakers to shape and influence legal frameworks.
• Policy Advocacy: Lawyers advocate for policy changes and reforms on issues affecting their clients or society as a whole. They may engage in research, analysis, and advocacy campaigns to promote changes in public policy, often collaborating with advocacy organisations and other stakeholders.
• Public Interest Advocacy: Lawyers may engage in public interest advocacy to address systemic injustices, protect vulnerable populations, and promote social justice. This may involve impact litigation, strategic advocacy campaigns, and working with non-profit organisations to advocate for broader social change.
• International Advocacy: Lawyers involved in international law may engage in advocacy before international courts, tribunals, or other international bodies. They may represent states, individuals, or organisations in matters such as human rights, international trade, or disputes between nations.

These types of advocacy require lawyers to possess strong communication skills, legal expertise, critical thinking, and the ability to craft persuasive arguments. By employing different advocacy strategies, lawyers can effectively represent their clients and contribute to legal developments and social change.