PSC Explained: Advocacy and Communication Skills

Advocacy and Communication Skills is one of the core modules of the Professional Skills Course, and takes 18 hours of lessons - or three days’ worth of training - to complete. The assessment of this component won’t consist of a formal exam, but rather an oral and written appraisal of the skills you’ll have developed over the course of the module.

What does the module focus on?

The module focuses on the skills you’ll need when it comes to put together persuasive arguments and present a structured and logical reasoning in a legal context. 

It will help you to gain the tools to analyse the reasons for which a particular clients’ case might succeed, all the while using the past knowledge you’ve gained from your undergraduate degree - if you’ve done one in law - as the Legal Practice Course content. Ultimately, you’ll be able to exercise the rights of audience in courts, both civil and criminal.

What is the content of this module?

The content of the module is divided into two ‘elements’. The first, more thorough one will look to equip you with the appropriate presentation skills all the while teaching you to interpret the behaviour of other actors in a civil or criminal case, such as clients, witnesses and other advocates. 

You’ll also learn about questioning skills in order to conduct examinations and cross-examinations, while also presenting evidence and subsequent propositions in a clear and organised format.

Ethical problems that can arise during a trial are covered in the second element of this module, which will help you to identify these and act on them should they arise. 

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