Australian Advocacy Institute

The Australian Advocacy Institute was launched on 11 September 1991 during the 27th Australian Legal Convention as an independent non-profit educational organisation.

It was established under the auspices,and with the financial support, of the Law Council of Australia. Since 1995 the Institute has been financially independent.

Its birth was in response to the ever growing demand by the Australian profession for advocacy training which could no longer be fulfilled by a handful of enthusiastic, committed individuals. It marked the acceptance by the profession of the need to improve advocacy standards and that advocacy skills can be taught at all levels.

Good advocacy is important to the litigant and to the integrity of our adversary system.

The primary role of the advocate in the adversary system is to persuade the tribunal of the merits of the client's case. Advocates must be up to that task, so that client interests are properly represented, and courts are assisted. Representation is now a requirement in serious criminal cases in which its absence may result in an injustice.

The Institute is committed to the principle that a client's right to representation is a right to professionally competent representation.

The aims of the Australian Advocacy Institute are to:

* Improve the standards of advocacy skills throughout
Australia

* Provide an Australia-wide forum in which ideas and experience in advocacy and advocacy training can be shared and developed

* Design and develop methods and materials for training lawyers in advocacy

* Train lawyers to teach advocacy skills

Litigation today demands increased efficiency and economy for the private client and the State. At the same time it is essential that the interests of the parties are effectively represented and that just results are not sacrificed for the sake of efficiency.

The achievement of this balance requires preparation, discipline, skill, and a professional approach by advocates capable of analysing the issues and succinctly presenting cases for their clients.

The Institute is dedicated to the pursuit of professional excellence.

	Good advocacy is important to the litigant and to the integrity of our adversary system. The primary role of the advocate in the adversary system is to persuade the tribunal of the merits of the client's case. Advocates must be up to that task, so that client interests are properly represented, and courts are assisted. Representation is now a requirement in serious criminal cases in which its absence may result in an injustice. The Institute is committed to the principle that a client's right to representation is a right to professionally competent representation. The aims of the Australian Advocacy Institute are to: * Improve the standards of advocacy skills throughout Australia * Provide an Australia-wide forum in which ideas and experience in advocacy and advocacy training can be shared and developed * Design and develop methods and materials for training lawyers in advocacy * Train lawyers to teach advocacy skills Litigation today demands increased efficiency and economy for the private client and the State. At the same time it is essential that the interests of the parties are effectively represented and that just results are not sacrificed for the sake of efficiency. The achievement of this balance requires preparation, discipline, skill, and a professional approach by advocates capable of analysing the issues and succinctly presenting cases for their clients. The Institute is dedicated to the pursuit of professional excellence.

The Institute is an independent body governed by a Board of Directors under the Chairmanship of The Hon. Professor George Hampel QC. The Board is appointed by the Law Council of Australia.

The Institute's patrons have been the Hon. Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE, the Hon. Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE and currently the Hon. A M Gleeson AC (Chief Justice of Australia).

Scott Wallace is the Institute General Manager.
Contact: 03 9641 6229
Email: aai@law.monash.edu.au