Influencing the Judicial Mind: Effective Written Advocacy in Practice

The requirement to produce skeleton arguments has been with us for 10 years, but written advocacy remains in its infancy. Court of Appeal judges admit that cases are decided before oral argument on the strength of written advocacy. Throughout the civil justice system under the CPR the skill is vital – cases are won or lost on the advocate’s skill writing, not addressing the court orally. This book provides practical advice in drafting: model form pre-action protocol letters of claim; inter partes correspondence; Part 36 Offers; skeleton arguments; written opening notes for trial; closing submissions; costs submissions; and much more. Leading practitioners have offered their assistance in producing a book of real authority. Invaluable for professional students and practitioners alike. The author is a practicing barrister and teacher of advocacy, mediation and other key legal skills.