Advocates - top courtroom tips please

[Eileen101]

I've recently started a new job and I am going to be doing a fair bit of my own advocacy. I done two hearings and observed a few more, but I'm still feeling like a fish out of water.
Are there any barristers or advocates who can give some top tips from the early days of your pupilages/training please? 🙏🏻

Eat first. It makes a difference to how calm you will feel under pressure.

No such things as too much preparation.

Enjoy it. The high afterwards is a job satisfaction most people will never know.

Wow Interesting, I usually work through my snacks while I'm typing up the draft order afterwards.... I will do this!

Bumping for any more tips please

Speak very slowly (allows you time to think)

Don't be afraid to pause if you're asked a question. The temptation is to rush an answer as we all hate silences.

Always be polite.

Good luck!

Be courteous to everyone, especially the Court usher.
Assuming you are in the county court, be clear about exactly what you are asking the court to do/ what order you want the court to make.
Make appropriate concessions: don’t try to argue that well understood settled law is wrong; accept that obviously credible witnesses are honest, but leave open the possibility that they are mistaken/misremembering.
Structure your submissions. Think about the thought process the judge will be going through and anticipate the questions she may ask.
This is my clients/the other party’s application. I am asking the court to make this order in these terms/ dismiss the application. The brief history of relevant facts is X. The relevant law/test is Y. The factual matters in dispute for you to determine are A, B, C. Then deal with them in turn: summarise the evidence, apply it to the law and make your submissions. Also address the other sides arguments and say why they should not be accepted. Deal with questions as they arise. Aim to be succinct but do cover all points. When you have finished, sit down.