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Workshop Format:

Introductory Sessions Wednesday and Thursday:

These sessions will be held ONLINE, with all participants joining using the AAI Zoom platform through their own computer connection.

Workshop Saturday:

At the start of the Saturday Timetable you will find the GROUP and PARTICIPANT NUMBER for each participant.

Group Performance Sessions and General Skills Sessions have been scheduled through the day. In the Group Sessions, you will break into smaller groups to individually present your allocated advocacy tasks before a Judge/Instructor in the same manner that you would present in court.  You will find the allocated advocacy tasks for each Participant Number set out within each session of the timetable.

Once you have finished each performance you will be given a review by the AAI instructor.  This review is designed to be positive, not critical. You will be given advice on ways that your individual performance can be improved using various advocacy skills, including a demonstration and explanation of the particular skills relevant to your performance.

The Workshop Case Studies:

We acknowledge that for some of you, the case studies we will use may not be of the type you generally deal with. We use these case studies deliberately as we believe them to be very good for the teaching of advocacy, demonstrating skills that can be applied in any jurisdiction. The advocacy skills you will learn will be of universal application – the same skills apply regardless of the type of case, the jurisdiction you appear in or the side you appear on. This has been proven over three decades of advocacy instruction by the AAI.

Please don’t get bogged down in your preparation with any legal technicalities within the case studies.  Don’t research or bring statutes or precedents.  Do not be distracted with the law.  Evidence is restricted to only that contained within each case study so you do not need to look outside the immediate information provided. The purpose of this workshop is to help you with how to structure a case, how to prepare, how to ask purposive relevant questions, how to argue, how to be persuasive in court.  We will not be concerned with jurisdictional procedure.

Preparation before the workshop:

This is a performance-based workshop. You are required to prepare each of your set tasks between now and the commencement of the workshop.  Please allow yourself time to prepare properly – it is anticipated that you should allocate 4 to 5 hours for this preparation. Please prepare in advance – do not wait until after the Wed/Thurs. introductory sessions.

If you are not totally familiar with the requirements of any particular advocacy task, you may find it helpful to refer to the “Specific Advocacy Tasks” summary at the end of the Course Materials document, part of the materials download.

I recommend you consult the “AAI Advocacy Manual” PDF file provided as part of your materials, which has detailed chapters on all the aspects of advocacy you will be using at this workshop. Use this Manual in your preparation and for future reference. Please note that copyright restrictions require this file to be “read only” and thus cannot be printed. A hard cover version with additional chapters is available through the AAI at a discounted workshop student cost.

Task Performances:

You will see in the timetable task allocations that a time limit has been set for each task performance. Please prepare as if you were to present the whole of the task. The time allocation means you may not be able to present all of the task and you are not expected to be able to finish your performance. Do not rush and try and fit it all into the allocated time. Your review will be on that part of the task you present, not the parts you may not have reached.

Please also note that when your task requires a witness in Evidence in Chief or Cross Examination, the AAI Instructor will nominate another participant from your group to act the witness role. A thorough knowledge and understanding of the facts of each case study will help both you and your colleagues get the most out of the workshop.

      Please download the following materials:

1. Workshop Timetable and Participant Task Allocations [v1 - 03 May] <> .

2. Case Study Bundle <>

3. AAI Workshop and Skills Guide 2023 <>

4. AAI Advocacy Manual [pdf copy] <>

1. This Wednesday and Thursday sessions will be held remotely using the ZOOM platform.

If you are not already a Zoom user and wish to load the Zoom program beforehand:

You do not have to be a registered member of Zoom to use this platform... you can download the free program at www.zoom.us

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or ... from your web-browser, go to www.zoom.us and click on the top menu link for "JOIN A MEETING"

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2. A short guide to on-line etiquette

To avoid any issues with latency such as screen freezing and poor audio quality, ensure your device has a suitable internet connection.

This cannot be overstated – remember, you cannot advocate if you cannot be heard or seen.

Be mindful that sensitive microphones will pick up sounds of keyboard tapping, paper shuffling, sneezing and coughing.

Mute the microphone when not speaking to avoid distracting other participants.

Reduce environmental (background) noises – close windows and doors and mute your phone.

For best results, consider investing in a headset with a microphone instead of the inbuilt microphone and speakers in your device (this will help reduce background noise and unnecessary feedback).

It is not necessary to shout; however, speaking softly and mumbling should also be avoided – speak in your normal voice.

DO NOT TALK OVER OR INTERRUPT WHEN ANOTHER PARTICIPANT IS SPEAKING.

Instead, use the “raise your hand” feature when you want to speak. This will avoid participants speaking over one another and the need to repeat questions.

Position your camera so it sits at eye level and in a way that feels natural and allows you to look directly at the camera when speaking.

If you are using a laptop, simply place a couple of books underneath so it is raised to eye level ... your presence and eye-contact will be improved enormously.

Adjust the lighting - close your blinds to reduce glare and doors to reduce noise.

Ensure you have a clean neutral background.

3. Test your technology

Test your technology and layout ahead of time (viewing, speaking and hearing).

You are welcome to contact the AAI [aai@advocacy.com.au or 0418 473 303] at any time in the week before the workshop to do a quick test of your connection.

To help participants check their technology is working correctly, the online sessions will open 30 minutes before the start-time. This will ensure everything runs smoothly. You will be in the in the general session room until the session starts at the scheduled time.

4. If you lose connection during the session

An AAI Coordinator will be monitoring the session constantly.  If for any reason you drop-out, re-join with the original meeting ID and password and the AAI Coordinator will readmit you.

If you do not get a response, please text to 0418 473 303.