Advanced Litigation Skills 2025

Designed for practitioners with at least six years’ civil or criminal law experience, this advanced five-day, non-residential programme is based on the teaching method so successfully applied in the annual Litigation Skills Programme.

This advanced course is based on one extensive civil case, however, the skills learnt are equally applicable to criminal lawyers. Using only one case will enable you to concentrate on improving your trial advocacy skills in the context of a case that requires mastery of many complex legal and factual issues with a heavy reliance on experts.

Learning by doing with critique

You will actively perform in simulated courtroom exercises every day and be critiqued by faculty members who include a member of the judiciary and some of New Zealand’s most experienced counsel. All faculty members are trained in the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) method of teaching.

Learning by observing

Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to observe others in your group and hear them being critiqued. Your performance will be recorded every day and then critiqued through video review. You will also have the opportunity to observe experienced faculty conducting a variety of demonstrations and discuss differences in styles and methods.

Teaching approach

Modules will include:

• Demonstration of a key skill
• Practising a key skill
• Receiving constructive advice on improving your performance
• Reviewing your own performance on video
• Observing others performing and listening to faculty comment.

Learning objectives

You will further develop your skills as an advocate and take them to an advanced level.

Who should attend

The advanced course is designed for litigation lawyers with at least six years’ experience. You will benefit from attending this course irrespective of whether or not you have attended the Litigation Skills Programme.

Note: Enrolments are restricted to 27 participants.

Format

This practical, interactive workshop will develop your advocacy skills using a variety of activities including working with senior counsel in small groups, learning by doing and observing, and learning how to get the best from your witness.

The Faculty

  Director: Chris Browne

Faculty members include: Hon Justice Brewer ONZM, Wendy Aldred KC, Elizabeth Bulger, Felix Geiringer, Chris Gudsell KC, Susan Hughes KC, Daniel Kalderimis KC, John Katz KC, Gareth Kayes, Daniel McLellan KC, Nikki Pender, James Rapley KC, Anne Stevens KC, Les Taylor KC, Vicki Thorpe, Coroner Mark Wilton.

Timing

• Sunday 2.30pm-5.30pm
• Monday 7.45am-6pm and social hour 6pm-7pm
• Tuesday 8.15am-6.30pm
• Wednesday 8.15am-5.30pm
• Thursday 8.15am-2.30pm

Materials

A course folder and the casefile will be sent to you in advance.

Accommodation

This is a non-residential programme, participants will need to make their own accommodation arrangements.

Application details

Download course application form

• You must complete an application form to be considered to attend this course. 
• Completing an application form does not guarantee you a place; you will be notified within five working days of the closing date whether your application was successful.
• Only 27 participants can be accommodated on the course. Late applications will only be accepted if places are still available.
• Even though you will receive a payment and registration confirmation email as part of the application process, you will not be advised whether your application is successful until after the application closing date of Thursday 1 May 2025.
• Closing date: Applications must reach CLE by 5.00pm Thursday 1 May 2025.

Please complete and return to:

Kylie Barton
Course Manager
[email protected]

Fee (incl GST)

Law Society Members benefit from up to 30% off 

Workshop

• $3,570 - Law Society members & associate members
• $5,100 - Non-members

Do you want to register more than one person for this course? Use the 'register others' button below or Click here 

Financial assistance

Financial assistance may be available through the Douglas Wilson Advocacy Scholarship Trust for New Zealand based lawyers. Applications for assistance must be received by: 5pm on Thursday 1 May 2025.
Late applications cannot be considered.

Please note: You must still register to attend this course, either online or by completing the application form.

Download a Douglas Wilson Advocacy Scholarship Trust application form

Download PDF application form

Wellington

Sun 15 – Thurs 19 June 2025

Comments from past attendees

• “Thank you so much! It was a fantastic course.”
• “The most amazing course I have ever taken.”
• “Really valued the opportunity to get feedback from such distinguished members of the profession. Very generous of them to give their time and expertise so freely.”

Cancellation and refund policy

Withdrawal from the programme before the application closing date incurs no cost. After that date if the participant is able to be replaced an administration fee of $250 is charged. If no replacement is found, no refund is payable. Note: Applications MUST reach CLE by 5.00pm on Thursday 1 May 2025. You will be notified within five working days after the closing date whether you have a place on the course.