Advocacy exercise
For example, appealing a sentence handed down in the Crown Court or presenting a plea in mitigation. Sometimes this exercise is conducted unseen or, more often, with limited preparation before the start of the interview (e.g. 15-30 minutes). As this exercise aims to simulate a courtroom or tribunal environment, you should expect to be questioned and be prepared to defend your position and argue your client’s case.
Analysis and discussion of a legal problem
You may be given advance warning of this (for example, one or two days) to prepare a written answer. During the interview the panel will ask you a number of specific questions relevant to your answer.
Alternatively, you may be given the problem when you arrive for the interview with, for example, 30 minutes to consider the problem before the interview begins. The interview panel will then ask you questions on the problem during the interview.
Analysis and discussion of an ethical or moral problem
This may involve presenting one side of the issue or discussing both sides with members of the interview panel.
Short presentation on a set topic or subject of your choice
Presentations are normally expected to last for 5-10 minutes. You may be given advanced warning of this and the topic (e.g. 48 hours notice) or only be told 15-20 minutes before the interview.
The interview panel may take the opportunity during the interview to ask you follow-up questions about your presentation.
Written response to a legal problem
You are provided with the fact pattern of a legal problem and given a short period of time (e.g. one week) to submit a full written analysis and response ahead of your interview. This may be similar to the length of an essay at university (i.e. up to 3000 words). The panel may question you on your answer during your interview.
