Skeleton Arguments

[Booking will open at 10:00 on Wednesday 31 March]

All members of the Inn are welcome to attend - please book a ticket

This session will be led by Master David Blunt QC

Skeleton Arguments, which first saw the light of day in about 1982, are now features of the majority of civil and criminal hearings in the courts as well as in tribunal hearings across the board. They are designed to, and should, expedite hearings by relaying in advance sufficient information about the nature of the hearing, the order or other remedy being sought, and the issues which are to be tried – whether of fact or law or both – to eradicate or minimize any opening and enable the hearing and arguments to be focused on addressing and deciding the genuine issues which the court or tribunal is called on to resolve. Because the rationale is one of time-saving, Skeleton Arguments must themselves be succinct.

A skilfully and professionally drafted Skeleton Argument can also  instil  confidence  in its author and influence the court or tribunal to look favourably on the author`s case  and arguments – and to do so before the hearing has even been convened. Skeleton Arguments may also be used to advantage in other ways.

This event is for members only.

Click here to see details of the QS Requirements and how to be credited with the QS for this session

Learning Outcomes:

After this session, students should be able to:

• Fully understand what the objectives of the author of a skeleton argument should be.
• Appreciate the distinction between a skeleton argument and a written submission.
• Be aware of the overriding need for brevity.
• Recognise that different kinds of hearings require different approaches so that there is no “one template fits all”.
• Know sufficient to be able to draft a straightforward skeleton argument.

Links to the Professional Statement, wider workings of the Bar, administration of justice or a public interest matter

The QS will align with these elements of the Professional Statement:

• 1.5 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 1.9 / 1.10 / 1.12 / 1.13 / 1.14

Click here to view the BSB's Professional Statement

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