IRSQ - Advocacy in the Commission

The IRSQ Advocacy in the Commission Course returns in August 2024!

Having first been developed in the late 1990s, and run regularly since then, this course is a longstanding and popular IRSQ offering. It is a course we are proud to deliver to our members and other industrial relations practitioners who are looking to increase their knowledge and skills in the art of advocacy.

Overview
Two days of theory/content on Saturday, 24 and Sunday, 25 August 2024 and 1/2 day of moots (mock tribunal hearings) to be held in the Fair Work Commission and Queensland Industrial Relations Commission from noon Friday, 6 September 2024. Both venues are in Brisbane CBD.

The course is intentionally designed by IRSQ to be very practical, with presentations and workshops conducted by experienced industrial relations practitioners, tribunal members and barristers.

The course is aimed at practitioners who are involved in managing or giving advice on challenging employee disputes and litigation, and who may want more experience or a refresher in representation and advocacy.

Registrations are limited, and it is critical that course participants understand they must be available to attend both the theory and moot components.

Practitioners will be guided through the basics of good advocacy in both the State and Federal IR jurisdictions, and learn what it means to be a great advocate. Topics covered include:

• Case preparation
• Responding to a claim/application - how to prepare a response to be filed
• Unfair dismissals
• Conciliation conference strategy
• Evidence and advocacy
• Appearances, referring to evidence, cross examination and closing submissions

The Moots (Mock tribunal hearings)

To complete this skills-focused program, participants are required to engage in ‘out of session’ small group work to prepare for scenarios and advocate in a tribunal environment.

Contemplation and analysis of legislation, industrial instruments and relevant case law will be strongly recommended as part of the moot preparation.

Participants will be expected to present positions, generate potential solutions, and develop their preparation and persuasion skills.

Each small group will also be afforded a mentor during the course, with whom, discussions and advice may be sought. At the moots, participants will have the opportunity to appear in an actual hearing room before a tribunal member to argue their party’s case, and tribunal members will offer feedback at the end.