CPD for Solicitors
Nottingham Trent Law School bridges gap
The first Masters devoted purely to advocacy skills outside of the USA has been developed by Nottingham Law School through a collaboration with the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia (AGC).
On the request of the attorney general of Malaysia, the new LLM in Advocacy Skills has been designed and developed exclusively for officers of the AGC as part of their continuing legal education.
Five officers selected from the Deputy Public Prosecutors and Federal Counsel will be undertaking the one year course at Nottingham Law School, part of Nottingham Trent University, this year. A further 12 are already signed up for an autumn 2012 start.
The bespoke course will comprise a variety of practical experience, including role play and mock trials in Nottingham Law School’s own replica courtrooms – with former High Court Judge, Sir Christopher Pitchers, acting as judge in one of the trials.
The students will also take part in sessions with Nottingham Trent University’s psychology and forensic science departments to enhance their skills in cross-examining witnesses.
The Honourable Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, attorney general of Malaysia, said: “The principal reason Nottingham Trent University was chosen to conduct this programme is the excellent standing and expertise of its Nottingham Law School in the teaching of advocacy skills. Officers from the AGC that have had the privilege of attending other such courses organised by the university have benefitted greatly from the transfer of knowledge and skills.”
Dean of Nottingham Law School, Professor Andrea Nollent, said: “This is the first time a Masters qualification in advocacy has been offered outside America. We have an excellent existing relationship with Malaysia’s law professionals and it was a pleasure to develop this unique course to support them in enhancing their skills.”
Jeremy Robson, course leader, said: “Nottingham Law School has long been recognised as providing some of the highest quality advocacy training in the country and I am delighted that this has been recognised internationally. I am very keen that we explore the opportunity to open this course to others in due course, either in its entirety or using the material as the basis for short courses. There are various changes being made to how advocacy is conducted in court and I believe there will be greater demand for training from professions other than the Bar.”