Until comparatively recently, the predominant view amongst lawyers was that the drafting of statements of case was a 'barrister' skill. That view is changing. More and more solicitors realise the benefits to be gained from possession and practice of this most important and powerful skill.

The courses are designed to enable the solicitor to achieve high quality and effective drafting.

The courses are individually tailored to the requirements of a particular firm.

The courses are carefully designed and structured to provide a methodology of drafting that the participant can use whatever the area of law involved.

The use of a methodology of drafting enables the participant to produce, and have the confidence to produce, a draft which is truly the result of his/her own intellectual analysis of the specifics of the case in hand.

Through these courses the participant will appreciate the importance of precision, clarity and accuracy:

• in the use of words;
  
  
• in the use of plain English;
  
  
• in the relationship between words and phrases;
  
  
• in the grammatical structure of sentences and paragraphs;
  

and will understand

• the need to structure/restructure each phrase/sentence/paragraph in order that the greatest degree of clarity, precision and accuracy can be achieved.

The courses will develop greater expertise in the practice of the core skill of drafting and in the identification of strengths and weaknesses, the use of tactics, the exercise of judgment, and in decision making.

The drafting methodology enables the participant to develop more efficient analysis and planning techniques.

The courses will identify the most effective use that can be made of precedents.

Drafting will be practised in the context of the requirements of the CPR and the Practice Directions.

High quality drafting cannot be achieved by attending lectures and reading textbooks on drafting. The skill is achieved through practice. The courses are designed and delivered to aid development of the skill of drafting through practice.

The case studies used are of varying degrees of complexity according to the level of experience of the group of participants. Depending on requirements, courses concentrate on 'core' areas in contract and tort and/or can be extended into more complex fields such as misrepresentation and professional negligence, and/or into a more specialist commercial range.

The courses allow drafting by the participant of the full range of statements of case. All drafting produced during each day of a course is discussed with the group and each participant has the opportunity to prepare a draft statement of case in his or her own time which will be individually assessed and discussed with the participant.

Course materials are comprehensive and include a drafting notes briefing package, and the provision of suggested drafts and route maps for each of the case studies undertaken.