This one-day course focuses on understanding, and developing, the skills of drafting Particulars of Claim and Defences, but also touches upon Claim Forms and Consent Orders.
The course is designed for solicitors, who wish to understand, with clarity, how the cause of action is integrated into the claim and how it affects the structure of the pleading. It also considers how some specific aspects of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) are woven into these documents.
Accordingly, the course looks at what Particulars of Claim and Defences should and should not contain, and, in each case, why.
Of course, some time is also spent considering more generic effective writing skills, in the context of litigation drafting.
Audience
This course is suitable for trainee, newly qualified and qualified solicitors.
This course is designed for any lawyer who is involved in or about to enter into a litigation role and who wishes to have a clear understanding of the principles and skills involved in drafting claims and defences.
It seeks to assist those who draft themselves and/or those who wish to better understand claims and defences drafted by others so that they may more confidently react to opponents’ pleadings and to explain these statements of case to their clients.
The course aims to benefit both those experienced in drafting and those without experience.
Key Benefits
- Learn how to draft complete, correct and effective claims and defences
- Learn about, practice and improve your drafting skills so that you can continue to develop them at work. If you do not draft your own pleadings, you should be able to better understand pleadings drafted by others
- Understand the benefits and risks of using precedents.
Live Online – 17 July 2024
Live Online – 3 December 2024
Drafting
- Written Presentation Skills
- Claim Forms
- Particulars of Claim
- Defences
- Consent Orders
No prior drafting experience is necessary, but a core understanding of the relevant procedural rules (especially CPR Part 16 and Practice Direction (PD) 16) will assist you.
There are also books about drafting available if you wish to gain a little insight into these skills before attending the course.
Preparation
Compulsory preparation (3 hours) is provided in the form of two exercises, based around legal research and the critical analysis of pleadings.
Post-Coursework
Compulsory post-coursework (3 hours) is provided, in the form of two further exercises, again based around the critical analysis of pleadings and legal research, plus a personal development plan.
In addition to the above, further optional post-coursework is provided, in the form of a series of case studies for you to use to continue to practice your drafting and self-analysis skills after the course.
A4 Draw on a sufficient detailed knowledge and understanding of their field(s) of work and role in order to practise effectively
B1 Obtain relevant facts
B4 Draft documents which are legally effective and accurately reflect the client’s instructions
B5 Undertake effective spoken and written advocacy.