Criminal Rights of Audience Course of training

During the course of training, the topics covered include preliminary hearings, prior statements, presenting criminal appeals, advocacy-using witnesses, taking evidence on commission, vulnerable witnesses and High Court etiquette.

Ahead of the oral assessment, there practical exercises including a mock oral assessments with feedback. The mock oral assessment is filmed and candidates are given copies to help with their preparation. Candidates are issued materials in advance and expected to prepare for some of the sessions ahead of the training weekends.

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to act for both the Crown and Defence.

Candidates are required to attend all training days in order to pass the course.

Each candidate is required to complete six days of sitting-in. The breakdown of these six days should consist of:

Four days criminal appeals (three days in Conviction Appeal Court and one day in Sentence Appeal Court) and two days preliminary hearing.

For sitting-in you need to attend the court hearing (remotely if required). You will need to complete sitting in cards as required to evidence your sitting in. The business of the court is available on their website.

Sitting-in must be completed before the final oral assessment on the course of training.

Course of training conveners may amend the number (maximum of six) of sitting in-days and types of hearing dependent on availability and business of the Courts.

The criminal training course and assessments takes place over three weekends:

Weekend 1: 6-7 September 2025 (Atria One, Edinburgh)

Weekend 2: 27-28 September 2025 (Atria One, Edinburgh)

Oral Assessments: 8-9 November 2025 (High Court, Parliament Square)

Training weekend one

The following topics are traditionally covered over the course of the first weekend:

• Mock Sentence Appeal exercise (candidates are expected to prepare in advance and will be filmed)
• What the Bench expects
• High Court etiquette
• Preliminary Hearings
• Management of complex and lengthy cases
• Section 275 applications
• Prior Statements
• Criminal Appeals
• Advocacy using witnesses
• Taking evidence on Commission
• Advocacy skills

Training weekend two

The following topics are traditionally covered over the course of the second weekend:

• Appeal against sentence
• Conviction appeals and written submissions
• Vulnerable witnesses - procedures and advocacy skills
• Written submissions
• Discussion of how it can go wrong
• Pleas in mitigation

The final assessment will take place on the weekend of 8-9 November.

Candidates are asked to prepare and present a First instance exercise and Appeal against conviction exercise. Candidates will typically act for the Crown in one exercise and the Defence in the other.

The candidates will present to three judges. This is comprised of a Solicitor Advocate, an Advocate and a Senator. 

For queries about the training course please contact criminalroa@lawscot.org.uk. 

For specific queries in relation to seeking extended rights of audience please contact David McDougall.