Are you a trainee solicitor? Get involved with Edinburgh Sheriff Court Spring Talk Series 2026

The Edinburgh Sheriff Court Spring Talk Series has returned for the first time in two years.

A series of talks, aimed at trainee solicitors who have been qualified for up to three years, is coming to Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Each seminar, delivered by sheriffs from the court on 27 Chambers Street, will provide an opportunity for solicitors to learn or refresh their court presentation skills

The series will cover skills relevant to a wide range of hearings and procedures.

They are not designed to cover questions of substantive law. The aim is to enhance practitioners’ professional skills in oral and written presentation of cases, and to cover topics such as conduct and presentation within court, persuasive advocacy and best practice.

Each presentation will be formatted to enable those attending to claim CPD points.

Criminal advocacy 

Thursday 16 April 2026 at 4.30pm to 5.30pm

The aim of this presentation is to improve your skills in conducting a summary criminal trial. At the end of the presentation, you should have improved understanding of:

• effective preparation for conducting a trial
• effective examination and cross-examination
• effective no case to answer and closing submissions
• the sheriff’s perspective

Sheriff McCormack

Asking better questions

Thursday 30 April 2026 at 4.30pm to 5.30pm

The aim of this presentation is to improve your skills in examining witnesses. You will learn how to ask both open and closed questions to build a narrative. The session will focus on:

• how to practise asking questions
• effective cross-examination
• the sheriff’s perspective

Sheriff Auchincloss and Sheriff Komorowski

Preparing for and conducting a proof

Thursday 14 May 2026 at 4.30pm to 5.30pm

The aim of this presentation is to improve your skills in preparing for and conducting a proof. At the end of the presentation, you should have improved understanding of:

• effective preparation for a proof
• effective analysis of your case and what you need to prove
• the need to agree evidence
• effective presentation of evidence including productions
• presenting expert evidence
• outline submissions and authorities
• the sheriff’s perspective

Sheriff Walls and Sheriff Watson

Towards improved oral and written legal presentation

Thursday 28 May 2026 at 4.30pm to 5.30pm

The aim is to improve written and oral presentation of legal argument in court.

At the end of the presentation, you should have improved understanding of:

• effective preparation for presenting oral and written argument in court
• effective presentation of oral and written legal argument
• effective use of supporting materials
• the sheriff’s perspective

Sheriff Campbell KC and Sheriff O’Carroll

Attendance at the presentations is free, but numbers are restricted. Please register with Anita Thompson at [email protected] with your name, your firm and either your years PQE or confirmation that you are a trainee. Your place will be confirmed seven days in advance.