1 Professional Skills

Writing Submissions: Learning to Become a More Persuasive Advocate

LawCPD Author: Chris Shanahan SC
Christopher Shanahan SC
Barrister Murray Chambers
Rating:
4.8/5
$129
1 CPD Point

Features

Interactive Content
Self-Paced Completion
On-demand and on Any Device
Receive Certificate of Completion

Overview

Written submissions are often the first opportunity to introduce a court to your client’s position. This course will equip you to make the most of this opportunity by writing more persuasive submissions.

The importance of written submissions has grown over time as Australian courts and tribunals move towards greater levels of written – as opposed to oral – advocacy. Written submissions provide your primary opportunity to create momentum and interest in your client’s position. Consequently, it is important to ensure these submissions are as persuasive and compelling as possible.

This course will help to equip you to write more persuasive submissions. It will take you through a six-step framework for writing more persuasive arguments, as well as practical exercises which cover areas including:

  • what works (and does not work) when drafting written submissions in preparation for oral argument;
  • how to identify and address issues in submissions in reply; and
  • how to identify and address the types of judicial questions that are likely to be asked during oral argument.

Last Updated: March 2024

Meet the expert

LawCPD Author: Chris Shanahan SC
Christopher Shanahan SC
Barrister Murray Chambers

Christopher Shanahan SC was admitted to the WA bar in 1984, NSW in 1989 and the High Court of Australia in 1990. He practices as a barrister at Murray Chambers.

Learn more

Reviews

  1. 5.0/5
    This is a great course
    The Course was easy to follow and insightful
  2. 5.0/5
    Concise overview of submissions with suggestions as to testing and improving ones skills.
    The course is well presented with tips based on the author's experience. Gives suggestions as to how to test and improve skills in drafting submissions.
  3. 5.0/5
    Great!
    Easy to follow - great tips on how to become a more persuasive advocate
  4. 4.0/5
    A+ course
    Concise and well structured. Informative and relevant to your legal advocacy skillset.
  5. 5.0/5
    Good and helpful course
    This course was interesting and challenging.
  6. 4.0/5
    Very insightful and informative
    The course provided great clarity on how to successfully prepare written submissions.
  7. 5.0/5
    This is a very helpful course!
    The course is easy to follow and offers very structural and practical tips.
  8. 5.0/5
    Really good course.
    Clear guidance with a supportive human touch to encourage the inexperienced advocate to use written submissions as a powerful tool.
  9. 4.0/5
    Great content
    The course was easy to follow, and logical.
  10. 5.0/5
    Really good course
    Very detailed and informative.
  11. 5.0/5
    Excellent course
    Informative, practical and relevant. A great course for junior lawyers!
  12. 4.0/5
    Excellent
    Useful content and excellent presentation.
  13. 5.0/5
    A well structured and clear outline of the requirements for effective advocacy in writing submissions.
    The course was clear, concise and insightful. It reinforces and highlights the principles of effective advocacy and the dangers of not properly structuring and writing an effective and persuasive submission.
  14. 5.0/5
    Well structured and useful guide
    As might be expected from an experienced advocate when writing about how to write submissions, this was a carefully considered and effective course. Rather than wasting time with bland videos, the content was carefully structured, with practical strategies for improving an advocate's drafting of written submissions.
  15. 5.0/5
    Very helpful
    The very logical and succinct presentation of the material suggests that the course writer is very effective and experienced at crafting submissions.
  16. 5.0/5
    Excellent Course
    Thank you so much for this course! From having completed the course, my written submissions will be so much better than they otherwise would have been!
    A BIG thank you!