Product Description

Advocacy explains how to win cases in court. Focusing on the techniques and methods of successful advocates, David Ross QC shows how to prepare a case for court. Writing in simple, clear language he gives the benefit of his many years of local and international experience. This second edition features new advice about how to prepare for, and run, an appeal, as well as how to write effective submissions to court. It also describes: • how to hold a court's attention • how to start and stop a witness • how to cross-examine all types of people, from liars to experts • the methods of taking objections to questions • how to address a jury • how to follow etiquette and behave ethically • how to win impossible cases All the principles of advocacy are explained, from the striking start to knowledge of human affairs, and Advocacy is rich with examples taken from real cases.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59280 in Books
• Published on: 2007-12-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
‘This book represents the latest and most extensive work in Advocacy teaching. It is essential reading for advocates of all levels and experience.’ Greg Laughton SC

‘There is no superfluous material, expression is always both economic and precise, and the results are always instructive. The style of the book manifests the qualities of the advocacy it teaches.’ David J. A. Cairns, Cambridge Law Journal

'It is as slender as a supermodel at 180 pages, but do not be mislead by its size: it is only physically lightwieght. … The real joy of this book is that it is such an easy read. … Ross combines the messianic fervour of Lynne Truss with the specialist knowledge of the bar. If only he could be the proof-reading guardian angel of every advocate. … padding submissions or overworking metaphors, Ross's simplicity and concision is catching.' Independent Lawyer

'Today's budding advocate will appreciate the refreshingly portable edition of Advocacy by David Ross QC. It is as slender as a supermodel at 180 pages, but do not be misled by its size; it is only physically lightweight. …The real joy of this book it that it is such a joy to read.' Independent Lawyer

About the Author
David Ross QC is an eminent advocate with extensive experience in trials and appeals throughout Australia. He has taught advocacy in many countries.

Customer Reviews

Brief, Clear, & Comprehensive, but Inevitably Superficial
Cicero taught that two of the three essential qualities of advocacy were brevity and clarity. David Ross's book has achieved those two qualities admirably, but by attempting to be too comprehensive the book inevitably suffers from superficiality. Ross makes many statements that the capable, experienced practitioner would wholeheartedly endorse, but he makes them in such a way that the inexperienced pratitioner will most likely miss the point. If they recognize the point, they may be insufficiently informed to be able to implement the suggestion.

The book speaks to Australian advocacy, and some of the nuances of Australian advocacy are very different from American practices. These subtle differences will pose a problem for American rookies. I'm not saying that Americans should therefore avoid the book, they should be on guard for those nuances.

A second, more basic flaw of "Advocacy" can be found in the opening paragraph. Ross categorically states that the job of the advocate is to win. This is somewhat off the mark. Aristotle, who wrote the first book on advocacy (On Rhetoric), said it much better when he wrote that the job of the advocate was not to win, but to come as close to winning as the circumstances of each case will allow. Aristotle went on to liken the advocate's role to that of the physician. The physician sometimes cannot heal the patient, but must simply do what can be done to ease the patient's suffering. Ross recognizes Aristotle's wisdom when, in a later chapter, he confesses that sometimes the art of advocacy is the art of damage control.