This practical two-day workshop will cover the fundamentals of being an effective criminal lawyer. The course addresses the steps that lawyers new to criminal practice need to know about, to prepare for and run a judge-alone trial in the District Court.

• The fundamentals of being a good criminal lawyer
• Putting it into practice
• Case review hearings
• Working with people
• Judge-alone trials
• Sentencing submissions.

• Sentencing
• Evidence-in-chief
• Cross-examination
• Producing an exhibit
• Making an objection
• Bail
• Disclosure
• Name suppression
• Legal aid
• Ethics and etiquette.

Learning objectives

You will gain essential skills to enable you to advise your clients about the range of available law-based resolutions which may apply to them; and learn how to put those skills into practice both in preparing for and appearing at a criminal trial.

Format

A range of teaching and learning techniques will be used including:

• Group discussions on topics including preparing and delivering a plea in mitigation
• Planning evidence-in-chief and cross-examination
• Practising a series of drills (with feedback from experienced counsel)
• Mini-lectures
• How to approach different cases.

Who should attend

This workshop is for all practitioners wanting to be appointed to level one of the criminal legal aid list, and those recently appointed to this level. Note: Limited to 40 participants at each centre.

Presenter

• Jo Wickliffe, Barrister, Auckland

Materials

You will be sent materials in advance.

Preparation

You are expected to make yourself familiar with the contents of the course folder before you arrive. As well, there is required pre-course reading of about 1-2 hours.

Timing

• Day 1: 9.00am - 5.00pm
• Day 2: 9.00am - 5.00pm

Fee (incl GST)

Workshop

• $825 - Law Society members & associate members
• $1,072 - Non-members

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

Financial assistance

Financial assistance may be available through the Douglas Wilson Advocacy Scholarship Trust. Applications for assistance must be received by: 5pm on Thursday 28 March 2024.
Late applications cannot be considered.

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

Download a Douglas Wilson Advocacy Scholarship Trust application form

Download PDF brochure and registration form

Developed with the support of:

Cancellation and refund policy

You may cancel your registration eight working days in advance of an event, and you will receive a refund less a 25% administration fee. If you cancel less than eight working days in advance of the event, no refund is payable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another person. If you wish to do so you must advise CLE in writing of the change. NZLS CLE Ltd reserves the right to close registrations and cancel or reschedule an event as necessary. Where an event is cancelled by CLE, a full refund is payable.