Hon. Lady Justice Susan Abinyo (standing) , HW HW Juliet Harty Hatanga (Deputy Registrar - Commercial Court)
The Justice Advocacy Uganda in partnership with Uganda Law Society on Thursday July 28, 2022 concluded a four-days training of 32 advocates in trial advocacy, at the Commercial Division of the High Court.
The training has, for the last nine years, been hosted by the Commercial Court during the Court Vacation. It aims at equipping advocates with the ability to present factual and legal aspects of their cases persuasively, so as to permit the Court reach a just result.
Hon. Lady Justice Susan Abinyo who closed the training urged the advocates to be better practitioners, by applying all the skills they have been equipped with.
"I know this training has been more insightful and you won't walk out the same way you came. As the Judiciary, when you give us what is good, our output is better," she said.
Adding that the content of the training was fully packaged to cover most of the challenges that some of the young lawyers have always had. She cautioned them not to fall short of standards especially when it comes to formal proof and exparte hearings, which have always been taken for granted.
She further encouraged them to always prepare for court. "Trial Advocacy of course begins at the time when you meet your client, not when you come to court," she advised.
The Court's Deputy Registrar, HW Juliet Harty Hatanga, said the training will improve their skills ineffective management of trials in Court and that after this training, the standard of proceedings is expected to improve.
Ms Linda Alinda-Ikanza, the CEO Justice Advocacy Uganda urged the participants to vie for personal development by doing something different but in line with the legal profession, improve on their networking with relevant senior colleagues as well as help out professional colleagues in court when need arises.
The topics covered during the training included case analysis, briefing and demonstration on submissions, commentary witnesses, examination in chief, commentary witnesses' preparation, exhibits, cross examination workshops, statement of the case, re-examination briefing, impeachment workshop and professionalism and pro-bono workshop.
Each of the topics would be concluded by a moot court. The local faculty from Justice Advocacy Uganda led by the Chairperson of the Board, Senior Counsel Mr. James Ssebugenyi facilitated the training.
Each of the participants who completed the training received certificates of completion.
Posted 28th, July 2022
