The Law Society of Northern Ireland has marked the completion of its 2026 Advanced Advocacy Course with a dinner at the Hilton hotel in Belfast on Friday evening.

Twenty-one solicitors from across the public and private sectors took part in the course, which is in its 27th year. It is run by the Law Society in conjunction with the Advocacy Working Party and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.

The programme is an intensive five-day course that provides practical training in courtroom advocacy, including simulated exercises and feedback from experts.

The course was first launched in 1999. Since then, hundreds of solicitors have completed it and gained advanced advocacy certification.

Stephen McCourt, the course chair, said he was delighted to oversee this year's course on behalf of the Law Society's working group. He thanked everyone who participated and contributed, particularly colleagues from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.

McCourt also acknowledged the support of the working group, saying the course would not be possible without their efforts. He expressed hope that there would be many more editions of the course in the future.