Rapley heads to Keble College

Witnessing skilful advocacy is rare.  Most lawyers appearing in court never perform as well as they should or could.  Trial advocacy is a skill.  It is a skill that can be taught.  It is a skill that can be acquired.  I believe the only way to effectively learn and improve one’s advocacy techniques is by using the workshop method – that is, by coaching.  This was recognised 32 years ago by English barrister, Mr Tim Dutton CBE KC, who established for the English Bar the Advanced International Advocacy Course to be held at Keble College, Oxford.  It is also why the NZBA has established its own Mastering Advocacy Programme.

_{The faculty}

I had the privilege of being part of the teaching faculty at the Keble Dutton Advanced Advocacy Course in August 2025.  It was a highlight of my career. As soon as I walked through the Porter’s Lodge at Keble, I knew this experience was going to be different.  One can see it, and one can feel it.  Keble College is grand.  It is impressive and steeped in history.  

Coaches and participants from around the world are immersed in an intensive environment where they are challenged daily to hone their advocacy skills. There is a civil and criminal stream. The course is demanding with a mix of techniques and workshops designed to address specific aspects of advocacy:  Opening and closing addresses, case analysis and witness examination.

The days were interspersed with communal breakfasts, lunches and dinners in Keble’s Hogwarts-styled dining hall, as well as end of day drinks at nearby pub, The Lamb and Flag; a local inn which has been serving pints of beer to faculty and students since 1566.

_{Keble Dining Hall}

The teaching method is based on that developed by Australian silk, Mr George Hample AM KC.  It has recently been modified by the South African and English Bar and is the method used by NZBA in its Mastering Advocacy workshops.

Participants were divided into small groups of six with three faculty members.  Each participant performed a specific advocacy exercise.  A faculty member then critiqued their performance, identifying a particular point that needed to be improved or modified.  The faculty member then demonstrated how that should be done.  The participant then moved to review their performance with another faculty member, receiving feedback from each.

On Day 4, genuine medical and/or financial specialists joined us so participants could perform using those specific questioning techniques that have been designed for use with experts.  On the final day, the participants undertook a 3-hour mock trial before a judge and several coaches to consolidate their learning.  The trial was made slightly more challenging by the compulsory end-of-course dinner and subsequent partying held the night before.

_{JRR KC, Barbara Mills KC , Chair of the Bar Council, Minka Braun, barrister.}

I am grateful to the NZBA for sending me to the Keble Dutton Advanced International Advocacy Course. My own teaching and advocacy skills improved in the collegial learning environment.  The aim of the course is to build confidence and camaraderie within the specialised advocacy community of which we all belong.  I met people from all over the world working in different jurisdictions, and I enjoyed a unique opportunity to study the similarities and differences we have in our respective fields.  I concluded that no matter where we practice as advocates, we have more in common with each other than we have differences.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience at Keble and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their advocacy.  If you are ever offered a spot, whether as faculty or as a participant, drop everything, book a flight and do it.

- James Rapley KC