96% of candidates described the training as excellent and the remaining 4% described it as good.
CPD Training (UK) Limited offers a one day assessment for Higher Rights of Audience (Civil) which comprises a written examination (90 minutes); an Interim Application (8 minutes), a trial speech or submission (8 minutes) and an exercise in witness handling such as cross-examination or examination-in-chief (15 minutes).
ABOUT THE HIGHER RIGHTS COURSE (TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT)
CPD Training (UK) Limited offers a one day assessment for Higher Rights of Audience (Civil) which comprises a written examination (90 minutes); an Interim Application (8 minutes), a trial speech or submission (8 minutes) and an exercise in witness handling such as cross-examination or examination-in-chief (15 minutes).
The SRA no longer requires candidates to have advocacy experience or training. We strongly recommend that law firms send their delegates on our 3 day training course which not only teaches them advocacy, civil litigation and professional conduct skills; it readies them for the assessment.
The training and assessment are mainly offered privately to law firms, patent agents and other organisations like local authorities. We have skilled and highly experienced trainers and assessors.
We work with the law firms to ensure that the training is best suited to the firm's needs. The SRA sets very high standards but we work hard to ensure that candidates are fully trained to meet those standards.
The training is intensive, up-to date and highly relevant to modern civil practice. It covers such subjects as case analysis, drafting, examination-in-chief, cross-examination, trial speeches, evidence and proof, submissions on the law, diversity awareness and professional conduct.
It concludes with a 4 hour High Court trial.
Candidates who pass the assessment must then apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for the grant of Higher Rights which will enable them to appear as advocates in the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
The price is £1460 plus VAT per candidate for 3 days of training and the assessment. We need at least 6 candidates to make a course financially viable. Some firms join forces. There are discounts for bulk orders.
Here is what some of our clients have said:
"Peter Lyons taught me Higher Rights of Audience. I have been practising for many years but I still learned new things about advocacy.
He kept it fresh, interesting and I relished the opportunity to develop and hone my advocacy techniques. He stresses the importance of Case Analysis and I agree wholeheartedly.
I then hired CPD Training to teach arbitration advocacy to my team at O'Melveny and Myers. The course was excellent.
When I moved to Skadden Arps to head up Arbitration and Litigation in Europe, I called on Peter Lyons again. He delivered an intensive and valuable skills course to a team of highly-talented arbitration lawyers which culminated in a mock arbitration hearing before a former High Court judge.
My team were very happy with what they learned and found that the course stretched them, improved them and made them think. We intend to get CPD Training and Peter Lyons back again very soon."
David Kavanagh, Partner, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom
"This is an excellent course that gives you a good amount of practice time and feedback.
Peter Lyons is really supportive; gives clear instructions and information and his style is serious but relaxed."
Mona Vaswani, Partner, Allen & Overy LLP
"The training is excellent. The trainer is patient, helpful and above all, engaging."
Dominic Harris, Partner, Cameron McKenna LLP
"Peter Lyons is a consummate tutor. He teaches clearly and with subtlety; and he endlessly observes the delegates. He adjusts the course according to the delegates’ progress."
Timothy Powell, Partner, Potter Clarkson LLP
"This was an excellent course which had good materials and was very thorough. Peter Lyons was an interesting and informative trainer who delivered the programme at a good pace."
James Fairbairn, Partner, Dentons LLP
"The course provided a good introduction to a variety of advocacy skills and there were plenty of opportunities to practise those skills. I felt the balance between classroom-style teaching and practical exercises was particularly well-struck.
Overall, the course was not skewed heavily in favour of advocacy in a particular setting (e.g. litigation or arbitration) which was particularly useful for those of us at the junior end who have not yet specialised."
Thomas Shortland, Assistant Solicitor, Cleary Gottlieb Steen and Hamilton LLP