Advocacy is the means by which a barrister puts his or her client’s case to the court. It may be written or oral. Advocacy is a specialist skill, the quality and excellence of which distinguishes the Bar from other providers of legal services. It is in the interests of the public, the court and the profession that barristers present their cases to the highest possible standards. Oral advocacy is primarily a performance skill. It requires the advocate to address the court persuasively and concisely, presenting a case in a manner which is clear, well organised and efficient. Key advocacy skills include case analysis, the correct use of skeleton arguments, oral submissions, examination-in-chief and cross-examination, pleas in mitigation and legal submissions.