This prestigious advocacy competition is the only one of its kind in the UK and has long been established in Nottinghamshire Law Society's history, with the competition being held every year for the last 55 plus years. The competition is in two rounds, the first round will take place on Thursday 14 March 2024 at the Nottingham Law School, with the final being held on Thursday 18th April 2024.
The competition is open to trainee solicitors, solicitors apprenticeships, pupil barristers (first seat only), law students (including LPC, SQE and Bar Training Course) and paralegals (up to 2 year's experience), paralegal apprentices and SQE apprentices that work and/or study in Nottinghamshire. The Hammond Cup provides competitors an opportunity to practice their advocacy skills in a realistic court room setting, with feedback experienced practitioners and professional Judges.
In round one, candidates will have the choice of whether to present a ten minute Criminal Sentencing Exercise or Civil Application.
The judges will be looking for candidates who show clarity of expression, thoroughness and, of course persuasiveness.
The four candidates with the highest score will be invited to participate in the final in the week commencing 15th April, provisionally on Thursday 18th April 2024. A distinguished panel of judges from the Court Circuit will score the candidates and decide on the winner of the Hammond Cup 2024. Prizes will be presented at the Nottinghamshire Law Society AGM on Tuesday 14th May 2024.
As part of the Advocacy preparation we will be offering two sessions at Nottingham Law School on Thursday 22nd and 29th February - details are as follows:
Training in Advocacy Skills.
Nottingham Law School will be providing free training in advocacy skills once again, having launched the programme in 2023. The programme will take place in February and the dates of the sessions are as follows:
Thursday 22 February Part 1: Advocacy Skills – Principles of Case Preparation and Analysis, Submissions and Witness Examination
Thursday 29 February Part 2: Advocacy Demonstration: Examination in Chief and Cross Examination of a witness conducted by a senior barrister. Question and Answer Session and voluntary advocacy exercises.
You will be provided with a short case study before the training sessions, powerpoint slides after the course and you will also receive a Certificate of Completion in Advocacy Skills from Nottinghamshire Law Society and Nottingham Law School.
To book your place on the Free Advocacy Training, simple complete the online booking form by Friday 9th February: Advocacy Training Sessions - Online Booking Form
