Course dates
Course overview
Learn to advocate well – in court and other contexts. This is a course on advocacy as taught at the English Bar and practiced in English courts; enriched with advocacy practices from other countries (e.g. US and Russia), as well as with knowledge from psychology.
The course is available in four formats:
• Campus
• Clients' Office
• Online (Virtual Classroom) with live tutoring
• Bespoke (Group or 1-2-1 coaching)
100% of AIR income, beyond operational expense, is used towards education and research. Read more…
Good advocacy is a beautiful art but a rare commodity. As case outcomes can largely depend on advocacy skills, this expertise is essential for lawyers; and important for people whose work entails advocating in other contexts.
This course provides skills and knowledge for advocacy in different contexts: in court and non-litigation contexts. You will be introduced to selected advocacy practices from other countries such as the US, the Russian Federation and Indonesia – countries in which the course directors have experience in courtrooms.
The course incorporates essential knowledge of human psychology and cognitive science that is relevant to decision making and persuasion.
Max 8 participants: the sessions are interactive with ample opportunity for practical exercises, interaction with other students as well as personalised feedback and guidance from the tutor.
Why choose our advocacy training
- You can expect maximum progress. You will receive training from a barrister who is also a public speaking expert with a background in psychology, cognitive sciences, and genetics; and with over 11 years of experience teaching advocacy, public speaking and influences on decision-making. As the success of advocacy largely depends on the understanding of human psychology and decision making – quality teaching of advocacy requires tutors to have excellent knowledge in these areas.
- Reduction in anxiety and nerves. Due to tutors’ experience and expertise in psychology and human development, significant progress is expected in removing fear and nervousness, and building confidence.
- Of thousands of degree-granting universities, Goldsmiths Psychology department is in the World top 100 in the QS ranking for academic reputation. Papers by our academics are highly cited: we hold the 55th place among the Worlds' Psychology departments for the number of citations published per paper.
Campus Courses - VAT-free: Our venues are in central London (Senate House) and in New Cross. You can select your preferred location by choosing the date available.
Virtual Classroom Courses - VAT-free: Live tutoring brings all the benefits of face to face training and, in addition, improves skills for ‘digital’ participation. There is an increasing need for online activities in all areas of life. Meetings, interviews, presentations and conferences are increasingly opting for participation and contribution via digital platforms. Courts have introduced video-advocacy and judging. Consulting, counselling, advertising, sales, and client support of all kinds are all moving to digital formats. Therefore, ‘digital’ participation and the necessary skills for online delivery of Public Speaking are becoming an essential skill of the 21st century.
Bespoke Courses: If you are interested in a tailor-made Advocacy course option (1-1 coaching or bespoke group training), please contact us using the email or phone number provided below.
Is this course for me
This course equips you with knowledge, skills and techniques for effective advocacy in court and other contexts such as campaigns, diplomacy, lobbying and board meetings. It is therefore suitable to you if your activities entail advocating in any of these contexts or if you have an interest in improving oral skills in general.
Other clients also took:
- Public Speaking Content, Confidence and Delivery
- Public Speaking and Presenting
- Psychology and Law
- Psychology of Decision Making
*Book two or more courses at the same time to get 10% discount.
Fees
£275
Goldsmiths offers a 15% concession rate on short courses to Lewisham Local cardholders, Students and Goldsmiths Alumni.
Booking information
Please note our short courses sell out quickly, so early booking is advisable.
Location
Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross Campus
Senate House, Bloomsbury, London
Enquiries
Find out more about all of the AIR courses available to you.
For all enquiries, and to be regularly updated on upcoming AIR courses, please email: air (@gold.ac.uk). For anything urgent, or if emailing is not a good option for you, you can also call us via WhatsApp or phone on +44 (0)7908 566 949.
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Short courses mailing list: for information about our upcoming short courses please sign up to our mailing list.
Free courses for Ukrainian citizens
We are currently offering a number of free places on all AIR Courses to Ukrainian citizens. Please email us for details: air(@gold.ac.uk).
Disability Support
We are committed to providing reasonable teaching adjustments for students with disabilities that may impact on their learning experience. If you require adjustments, please complete the relevant section on the booking form and also contact us at shortcourses (@gold.ac.uk) so we can respond to your requests as soon as possible.
Please note our short courses sell-out quickly, so early booking is advisable.
Discounts
- 10% when a participant enrols for more than one of our courses (at the same time)
- 20% UK students
- 25%Members of the UK Law and Society Association (UKLSA)
- If five people register from the same institution for the same intake, the fifth place is free
- Goldsmiths students, staff and alumni - email us for current discounts
As a University, we are able to offer our courses at minimum prices, and free of VAT - to make knowledge available to as wide audience as possible.
Refund policy: See
Tutor information

Fatos Selita
This course is directed by Fatos Selita, a communication expert. Fatos is an English Barrister and a New York State Attorney with training in psychology, human behaviour (behavioural genetics) and other fields. He has taught communication (eg public speaking, advocacy, speech writing, persuasion, decision making) for over 12 years, including more than 7 years at Goldsmiths.
He has experience training professionals from a range of fields including business executives, diplomats, doctors, judges and researchers.
Fatos has taught in several universities internationally. He has a number of research publications and is co-author of Oedipus Rex in the Genomic Era: Human Behaviour, Law and Society (Palgrave).
Course structure
Elements covered in the course include:
- Preparation skills, e.g. learning how to prepare for your advocacy/case, selecting arguments, arranging arguments.
- Delivery skills and techniques, e.g. making an impact, developing a likeable personality, tailoring your advocacy to changing reactions of the judge/jury.
- Developing skills for effective advocacy, e.g. clarity, articulation and voice.
- Removing obstacles to advocacy and public speaking, e.g. nerves, blanks and high adrenalin.
- Practical training sessions to improve advocacy skills using the P-E-O-P-L-E technique developed by our inter-disciplinary (law, psychology and neuroscience) experts. This technique involves learning by practice, guidance and example.
Learning outcomes
During this course, you will build skills in the following areas:
- Preparation skills
- Developing advocacy skills
- Delivery skills and techniques
- Removing barriers to advocacy and public speaking
- Personality and own brand
- Effectively combining skills learned