“Like conversation or theatre, the essence of advocacy is the impression it makes, at the moment it is given voice to the immediate audience to whom it is made. The words itself and the meaning it is intended to convey is only half the efforts. Put fine in words in the mouth of a poor advocate and those words can die on the tongue, whereas a great advocate can conjure magic out of the proverbial ‘laundry list’.” – Thomas Grant QC
Advocacy is not merely the application of legal knowledge—it is the art of persuasion, presence, and preparation. In the courtroom, success is rarely about having the loudest voice. It’s about mastering the craft: of listening, of timing, of choosing your words and silences with care. Through years of experience and countless appearances before the Bench, I have come to view “Court Craft” as a living, evolving skillset—akin to a rainbow made up of seven distinct colours. Each colour represents a key element in a lawyer’s journey. Let us explore them one by one.