First Trial Advocacy Skills Class is Delivered to Law Students

05.04.2007

The ABA Legal Education Advisor developed and delivered the 1st Annual Mock Trial Advocacy Skills Workshop.  The workshop was held March 30-31 at the Sunway Hotel in Phnom Penh.  About 90 students and university officials from all seven Cambodian law schools attended the event.  The entire workshop was delivered by the PRAJ LEA, Steven Austermiller and the PRAJ COP, Herbert Bowman.  The workshop included PowerPoint presentations, lectures, trial demonstrations and trial exercises for the students.

The purpose of the event was to provide basic training on trial advocacy skills to the students who will be participating in the 1st Annual Mock Trial Competition in June.  The highlight of the event was the second day trial that the students participated in.  The students developed and delivered direct and cross examinations and closing statements in a mock trial.  They improved after the first day and showed great promise.  The students enjoyed the highly interactive workshop and stated that they learned a lot about examination skills and case analysis.  These advocacy skills will be important for these future legal professionals.