Advocacy (LAWS50055)
Graduate coursework level 5Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
February
Teaching staff:
Gary Cazalet (Subject Coordinator)
Tas Fleming (Teacher)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Semester 1
Teaching staff:
Gary Cazalet (Subject Coordinator)
David Kim (Teacher)
Matthew Albert (Teacher)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
July
Teaching staff:
Gary Cazalet (Subject Coordinator)
Dylan Ioannou-Booth (Teacher)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Semester 2
Teaching staff:
Gary Cazalet (Subject Coordinator)
Nadia Stojanova (Teacher)
Tas Fleming (Teacher)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
November
Teaching staff:
Gary Cazalet (Subject Coordinator)
Nadia Stojanova (Teacher)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | February Semester 1 July Semester 2 November |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The enforcement and protection of legal rights and interests ultimately depends on legal proceedings in courts and tribunals. Many if not most legal proceedings revolve around issues of fact, and in an adversarial context this means the presentation of competing versions of contentious events and the attempt by each of the parties to persuade the tribunal of fact to accept a version of events which would entitle them to the remedy or outcome sought by their client.
The focus of this subject is on the development of the specialised skills and expert judgment needed for this crucial aspect of legal practice, which can broadly be described as trial advocacy (as distinct from appellate advocacy). Effective trial advocacy requires a broad, complex and diverse set of skills, ranging from the ability to develop and present a persuasive narrative (both in an address and by examining a witness) to the ability to force an opposing witness to make concessions that will advance the party's case.
Advocacy enables students to develop this set of skills in a supportive workshop environment. Topics covered will include the adversary process; the role of the trial advocate; the development of case theories, themes and labels; opening and closing addresses; and witness examination including examination-in-chief and cross-examination. Students will be required to plan and conduct a variety of advocacy exercises.
Intended learning outcomes
A candidate who has successfully completed the subject will be able to:
- Identify aims and objectives for the conduct of a trial;
- Develop plans and strategies for the achievement of those aims and objectives;
- Implement those plans and strategies in the preparation of, and through the course of, a trial; and
- Critically reflect on all of the above at the conclusion of a trial.
Through the development of these cognitive and technical skills, students will develop the ability to:
- Independently analyse, reflect on and synthesise the complex masses of evidence and information that typically arise in litigation;
- Independently identify issues and problems arising or likely to arise in a particular trial;
- Communicate ideas, theories, information and arguments to a tribunal of fact or law.
- Independently develop solutions to those problems; and
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:
- Prepare a case for trial including: developing a case theory; drafting an opening address; drafting a closing address; drafting examinations and cross-examinations of witnesses; and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a case.
- Conduct a trial including: delivering an opening address; examining and cross-examining witnesses; and delivering a closing address.
- Reflect critically and meaningfully on their performance at the above tasks.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50023 | Legal Method and Reasoning | Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50024 | Principles of Public Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50025 | Torts | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50026 | Obligations | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50028 | Constitutional Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50029 | Contracts | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50037 | Evidence and Proof |
July (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| LAWS90140 | Disputes and Ethics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Trial Preparation document
| Shortly before the Trial Performance | 25% |
Trial Performance
| Either late in the teaching period or shortly afterwards. Details to be announced in class and via Canvas LMS. | 50% |
Reflective Report
| During the assessment period | 25% |
Class attendance Hurdle requirement: 100% class attendance is required in this subject | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Make sure to check carefully with your teacher regarding and timing, attendance and participation requirements for the Trial Performance assessment.
The due dates of other assessment will be made available to students on the Assessment Schedule on the Juris Doctor Canvas LMS Community. Note, this schedule is updated regularly.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- February
Principal coordinator Gary Cazalet Coordinator Tas Fleming Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Students are expected to attend all sessions Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 22 January 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 5 February 2025 to 11 February 2025 Last self-enrol date 24 January 2025 Census date 7 February 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 February 2025 Assessment period ends 14 March 2025 February contact information
Teaching staff:
Gary Cazalet (Subject Coordinator)
Tas Fleming (Teacher)For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Gary Cazalet Coordinators Matthew Albert and David Kim Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Students are expected to attend all sessions Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
Teaching staff:
Gary Cazalet (Subject Coordinator)
David Kim (Teacher)
Matthew Albert (Teacher)For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
- July
Principal coordinator Gary Cazalet Coordinator Dylan Ioannou-Booth Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Students are expected to attend all sessions Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 25 June 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 9 July 2025 to 16 July 2025 Last self-enrol date 27 June 2025 Census date 11 July 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 25 July 2025 Assessment period ends 15 August 2025 July contact information
Teaching staff:
Gary Cazalet (Subject Coordinator)
Dylan Ioannou-Booth (Teacher)For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Gary Cazalet Coordinators Tas Fleming and Nadia Stojanova Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Students are expected to attend all sessions Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check for any pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Teaching staff:
Gary Cazalet (Subject Coordinator)
Nadia Stojanova (Teacher)
Tas Fleming (Teacher)For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
- November
Principal coordinator Gary Cazalet Coordinator Nadia Stojanova Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Students are expected to attend all sessions Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 12 November 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 26 November 2025 to 2 December 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 November 2025 Census date 28 November 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 19 December 2025 Assessment period ends 7 January 2026 November contact information
Teaching staff:
Gary Cazalet (Subject Coordinator)
Nadia Stojanova (Teacher)For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Time commitment details
Students are expected to attend all sessions
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
This subject has an enrolment quota. Please refer to the Juris Doctor enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment and subject quotas. Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for inbound study abroad and exchange students.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
- Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025