Call for offers of assistance from senior counsel, judges and retired judges

09/07/2012

The Association is planning to host a series of 4 seminars over the second half of the year entitled “Preparation for silk – the necessary steps”.� The seminars will be convened by Justin Gleeson SC and Chris D’Aeth, the Association's Director, Professional Development.

The seminars are designed for barristers with a minimum of 9-10 years seniority, who are looking to progress their skills and expertise so that they will be in a better position to know what is required before applying for silk, when to best apply, and how to best demonstrate their qualities at the time when they apply.

The format will be free-flowing, with one silk as facilitator, and ideally one further silk and a judge or retired judge in each seminar group.� Groups will be limited to 10-15 maximum.

There will be 4 seminars spaced over about 4 months. The broad topics to be dealt with will be: •�� �Seminar one: advocacy in court: what range and types of matters and skills need to be developed •�� �Seminar two: ethics: what is expected of a senior counsel •�� �Seminar three: learning and contribution: how to achieve and demonstrate the level of learning and all round contribution required of a senior counsel •�� �Seminar four: the practicalities: what changes in practice, and what increased demands flow from being silk.

How can you assist?� The Association is looking for volunteers from the senior bar, and judges or retired judges to join each seminar.� Senior counsel will be able to claim one CPD point for each hour of attendance.

For those willing to assist, there will be a common meeting before the seminars start to co-ordinate the seminars and to appoint the primary facilitator for each seminar group.� For further details please contact Chris D’Aeth at cdaeth@nswbar.asn.au or 9229 1712.� Responses are requested by Friday 20 July 2012.

Once the senior counsel and judges/retired judges are confirmed, the seminars will be opened to the junior bar.

**9 July 2012 **