InBrief

Call for Expressions of Interest

The NSW Bar Associations Professional Development Department is looking for Advocacy Coaches to assist twice yearly with the Bar Practice Course. The coaching is undertaken between 4.30pm and 6pm on selected weeknights (over a two week period) when the course is being conducted. To encourage barristers to participate we will be running a ‘Train the Trainer’ workshop in conjunction with the Australian Advocacy Institute in February 2019. The workshop aims to improve the standards of advocacy throughout Australia. It provides a forum in which ideas and experience in advocacy and advocacy training maybe shared and developed.

ADVOCACY COACHING

The NSW Bar Practice Course is the entry point to our profession and forms the basis of Readers first year of practice, and indeed for the whole of their careers at the Bar. It gives Readers an opportunity that they will have only once in their professional careers: senior members of our profession will dedicate their time over a period of one month to teach, share knowledge and experience, and act as peers and mentors in the pursuit of professional excellence.

The role of the advocacy coach is an integral part of the Bar Practice Course. The coaches can, and do, have a huge impact on these new members of the Bar. Advocacy coaches inspire, motivate and encourage Readers in a respectful, supportive, professional and shared endeavour. Coaches provide insight and feedback to both the Readers and the Course Director. Equally importantly, coaches are required to practically demonstrate what they are teaching. Through this, Readers are able to see their coaches as highly competent and genuinely interested in assisting them to improve. It is a mutual relationship of professional respect and trust. Participating in the Bar Practice Course as an Advocacy Coach is a perfect opportunity to give back. It is an important contribution to the profession and the personal benefit of instructing is the improvements of one’s own advocacy skills. Equally, it is an excellent opportunity to remind oneself of best practice at the Bar as an advocate.

ELIGIBILITY

All Barristers with a reasonable amount of experience in whatever jurisdiction, are encouraged to complete the expression of interest form. Ideal candidates will:

• Have continuously held a New South Wales barristers’ practising certificate or a practising certificate of another Australian jurisdiction for not less than seven years
• Be a full-time practising New South Wales barrister
• Be able to commit to a minimum of two evening advocacy sessions (4.30 pm – 6 pm) per Bar Practice Course (May and September)

Successful applicants will be invited to attend, free of charge, the Train the Trainer workshop on Saturday 16 February 2019, 9.00am – 5.00pm, Family Court of Australia, 97-99 Goulburn Street, Sydney. Please note, an Introductory Session will also be held on Friday 15 February 2019, 5.00pm – 7.00pm, NSW Bar Association Common Room.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the ‘expression of interest form’

**Please note, completion of the form does not imply that a place on the course is guaranteed.