Abstract:
Training the mind remains a crucial feature of legal education . Brilliant lawyers in all areas of practice are as sought after as ever . Pure , quality, traditional legal education is as relevant today in nurturing the thought process as ever before . But communication skills have now become of paramount importance . Nowadays, legal training has an urgent obligation to embrace , encourage , and advance the need for students to maximise their communication skills as never before . The onset of of digital hearings , conferences , and meetings has heightened the need for clear , reasoned , powerful interaction . Zoom has given rise to a communication boom , and lawyers must be at the fore , whatever the medium , in a global and soon to be revitalised legal world.
No longer ought mooting , advocacy , and trial practice be optional subjects, modules or choices . Lawyers in the modern era must liaise and interact with confidence as well as skill. The one without the other is outdated . It is a misconception that the arts of presentation , negotiation and persuasion are of specific to certain fields of practice . They are not. The benefits of learning the art of argument are also infinite , and override all aspects of legal training. Therefore , in 2020 and beyond , legal education must be innovative in raising the profile of speaking and communication skills . This is no moot point , as I hope to demonstrate in the course of my presentation .
Speaker:
Mr. Jeremy Dein, QC, UK Criminal Barrister
Jeremy Dein QC has been practising as a UK Criminal barrister since 1983. He is co- head of 25 Bedford Row, London, Britain’s largest and most established pure defence chambers.
Throughout his career, Jeremy has appeared in all types of criminal trial. In recent years he has specialised in homicide, sexual offences and all manner of serious, complex crime. He has featured in numerous high profile cases attracting the media spotlight, and appears regularly on national TV and radio as a criminal justice commentator. This year, Jeremy featured as lead investigating defence counsel in a 10 part BBC documentary series “Murder, Mystery and my family”, an examination of the safety of numerous UK, historic death penalty convictions.
Jeremy was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2003. He became a part time trial judge in 2004, now sitting at the “Old Bailey”, the UK’s Central Criminal court, trying cases grave and complicated cases on a regular basis. He is also a judicial college course tutor.
Jeremy served as Criminal Bar Association director of education from 2008-2011. He has lectured around the world on Criminal justice and fair trial related topics. He is also visiting professor and Queen’s Counsel in Residence at Middlesex University, London.