Flagship · Annual · Civil
Florida Civil Course (Junior)
The South Eastern Circuit Advanced Civil Trial Advocacy Program, held at St Thomas University College of Law, Miami, Florida — the Circuit's flagship annual civil-advocacy course.
About the Course
The course is based on a personal injury and clinical negligence trial and is designed to provide in-depth, demonstration-based instruction of trial advocacy techniques through performance, critique and video review.
The Advanced Trial Advocacy Program is a one-week continuing legal education training seminar held in Miami and is sponsored by the Florida Bar. Each year barristers from our Circuit and one Silk (as faculty), participate and share their views of the English and the American systems of justice.
It is likely that there will also be an opportunity to visit the District and Federal Courts in Miami.
Funding & Logistics
Course fees and accommodation will be provided; however, candidates will be required to make their own travel arrangements to Florida.
Eligibility
Four Scholarships are available for junior members of the South Eastern Circuit. Applicants must be a paid-up member of the SEC (application for membership of the Circuit may be made at the same time) and demonstrate real diversity of experience and detailed knowledge of Civil law and procedure at the Bar of England and Wales.
Selection Criteria
The written applications will be assessed by a panel and those selected will be notified by email. Applicants will be considered having regard to the following criteria:
- Experience (commensurate with call). Applicants should practise in any area of civil law (i.e. any area of law other than criminal law) and have recent advocacy experience in the Courts of England and Wales (or equivalent Tribunals, depending on area of practice). Diversity of experience is to be welcomed.
- Ability. Applicants will possess above average written and oral advocacy skills.
- The Panel will consider the applicant's reasons for wishing to attend the course, what he or she intends to gain from the course and what he or she will contribute to the course.
- Contribution. Any contribution the individual applicant has made to the profession, for example to a professional body. Contributions to the South Eastern Circuit will be viewed favourably.
Applications from those who have not previously benefitted from Circuit programmes will receive priority. Applications from previous course attendees will not be considered.
CPD
An application for accreditation for CPD has been made. Previous courses have attracted 45 hours of CPD, including 9 hours of advocacy and 3 hours of ethics.
Applications
Applications closed
Applications for this year are now closed. The next course runs in May 2027. Exact dates, venue and fees are to be confirmed. Applications open in the New Year.