Private Children Law Advocacy - Improve Your Existing Skills

Introduction

This course is designed for those who have some experience of handling private law children cases in court but wish to improve on those skills including cross-examination. The day will be taken up with advocacy related topics and court hearings faced by the private children advocate.

It will be assumed that all delegates will wish to participate in a mock hearing setting. Cases studies will be used as a foundation for each hearing.

What You Will Learn

This course will cover the following:

• Preparation and deciding what evidence and witnesses (including experts) should be called at a hearing
• Part 25 applications
• Role of Rule 16.4 Guardians
• Section 7 reports
• Drafting court orders and negotiations
• First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA) with submissions on what directions should be included in the court order
• Finding of fact hearing - focusing on domestic abuse with evidence from the two opposing parties with cross examination
• Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA) and directions to be made by the court
• Final hearing including evidence by the parties and the CAFCASS officer, cross-examination and final speeches