Flagship · Annual · August
The Timothy Dutton CBE KC Advanced International Advocacy Course
Keble College, Oxford. The Circuit's flagship residential advocacy programme, widely regarded as the most demanding advocacy course in the UK.
Course Founder
Timothy Dutton CBE KC on the origins of the Keble Course, the philosophy of advocacy training, and what the course has meant to the Bar over three decades.
Overview
The aim of this course is to encourage and develop the highest standards of advocacy amongst practitioners in England and Wales. It is widely regarded as the most demanding and intensive advocacy course in the UK, and arguably the finest in the world.
- Location
- Keble College, Oxford
- Eligibility
- Practising members of the Bar over three years' call and post-NPP. No upper limit on year of call; senior practitioners and Silks regularly attend.
The Course Experience
- Format
- Every participant undertakes written and oral advocacy exercises, all of which are filmed for review.
- Instruction
- Plenary sessions, demonstrations, and small-group work (ratio of 2.5:1) provide immediate classroom critique and private one-to-one video feedback.
- Specialist Training
- A day and a half is dedicated to working with expert witnesses, either specialist hospital consultants or accountants.
- Final Trial
- The course culminates in a full filmed trial on Saturday. For criminal practitioners, this includes a jury whose deliberations are filmed and provided to the advocate for invaluable insight.
- Coaching
- Professional voice and performance coaching is available throughout the week.
Faculty & Facilities
- Faculty
- Domestic and international senior juniors, Silks, and Judges who have undergone specific teacher training for this course.
- Accommodation
- Single en-suite room and three meals a day in the College Hall.
- Social
- Members of the Faculty host pre-dinner drinks most evenings at the Lamb and Flag or the college bar.
- Dress Code
- Casual for most days, smart clothing required for Friday, dark suit for Saturday's mock trial. Banquet on Friday night (lounge suit, not black tie).
Fees
- Barrister (England & Wales) — Crime
- £2,000 (inc. VAT)
- Barrister (England & Wales) — Civil
- £3,200 (inc. VAT)
- Solicitor / Overseas
- £3,800 (inc. VAT)
Key Deadlines
The 2027 course runs from Tuesday 31st August to Saturday 4th September 2027. Application and payment deadlines will be confirmed. Applications open in the New Year.
Apply · Course Application
Apply for the Keble Course
Applications for this year's course are now closed. The 2027 course runs from Tuesday 31st August to Saturday 4th September 2027 at Keble College, Oxford. Applications open in the New Year.
Scholarships
The four Inns of Court (Gray's Inn, Inner Temple, Lincoln's Inn and Middle Temple), together with the Criminal Bar Association, generously fund five places per year on the course.
I am also applying for a scholarship
Scholarship applicants must complete and submit BOTH this scholarship form and the course application form together. Submit your completed scholarship form together with your course application, by email to keble@southeasterncircuit.com.
Related
Practical Information
Arrival, dress, meals, and how things work at the college.
In Memoriam · Timothy Dutton CBE KC
The tribute to the course’s founder.
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