Developing the art of advocacy
Justice Bell believes that current state and territory laws do not adequately protect the security of tenure for public housing tenants, who can be evicted without reason or cause.
Monash University together with the Australian Advocacy Institute will become the first institutions to provide victim advocacy training on behalf of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands this week.
Recognising the Faculty of Law as a world leader in the field of victim advocacy, the ICC invited Monash to deliver victim advocacy training to more than 140 counsels and advocates on the Court’s list from all corners of the globe. The function of the ICC is to consider charges against individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The training workshops, being delivered by Monash in consultation with the Australian Advocacy Institute will be part of the Tenth Seminar of Counsel of the ICC from 15-19 October, bringing together more than 400 of its members and advocates from around the world.
Chairman of the Australian Advocacy Institute Professor George Hampel, from the International Institute of Forensic Studies at Monash, together with Barrister and PhD student in the Faculty of Law Elizabeth King are leading the program and will deliver the training along with Judge Felicity Hampel SC of the County Court of Victoria and Barrister David Sexton, a senior lecturer within the Faculty.
Professor Hampel said the workshops provide participants with an opportunity to improve essential advocacy skills, including effective preparation, performance and communication skills, in a supportive learning environment.
“Advocacy is the art of persuasion. Performance by lawyers and people who want to be barristers and advocates is a task which requires mastery of specific disciplines, skills and techniques,” Professor Hampel said.
“The Australian Advocacy Institute developed all these techniques used in the training of advocates and barristers from all over the world and they are taught at the Monash Law School. These are all the skills that are being taught and developed as part of this project and it is a privilege to be the first institution to be given this opportunity.”
Ms King said Monash University was contributing significantly to the development of this field and was well positioned to provide advocacy training.
“We welcome this opportunity to contribute to the work of those who appear before an international judicial institution whose function is so important,” Ms King said.
“The issues that form the substance of ICC proceedings are critical and need to be managed with precision and care. It is a privilege to be part of a process that will contribute to effective, meaningful advocacy in the victim representation area.
“A large part of our focus is making a contribution that is responsive to the ICC’s jurisprudence as it unfolds and we are very interested in establishing a long-term relationship with the ICC and continuing to respond to its training of counsel needs.”
Monash University's Faculty of Law has developed into one of the largest and most prestigious law schools in Australia, complemented by a broad teaching base, strong international links and an outstanding reputation