Briefwriting Masterclass Program, 2-4 December 2015, Abuja

Day 1- Wednesday 2 December 2015

7.30-8.30 am: Registering and seating participants & distributing materials

8.30-9.00am: Introductions & Networking

9.00-10.30am: The Architecture of Argument- Issues for Determination

10.30-11.00am: Discussion, Questions & Answers

11.00-11.30am: Tea Break

11.30am-12.45pm: Task 1: Study Nobis-Elendu v INEC [2015] 16 NWLR (Part 1485) 197.
• Criticise the lead judgment’s attitude to the issues.
• Faced with the parties’ varying issue formulations, what should have been the Supreme Court’s attitude or approach?
• Using Garner’s deep-issue format, reconstruct the issues.

12.45-1.30pm: Task 1 Presentations

1.30-2.45pm: Lunch

2.45-3.15pm: The Introduction summarizing the brief

3.15-5.00pm: The facts and procedural history

5.00-5.30pm: Discussion, Questions & Answers

Day 2- Thursday 3 December 2015

9.00-10.15am: Task 2: Study Nobis-Elendu v INEC [2015] 16 NWLR (Part 1485) 197.
• Criticize the second paragraph of the lead judgment for its ‘he-said-she-said’ presentation of an aspect of the facts. How should the Supreme Court have introduced that paragraph?
• Criticize both the law reporter’s and the lead judgment’s presentation of the facts and procedural history.
• Recount the facts and procedural history in as interesting a manner as possible.

10.15-11am: Task 2 Presentations

11.00-11.30am: Tea Break

11.30am-1.00pm: The Argument section Part 1

1.00-1.30pm: Discussion, Questions & Answers

1.30-2.45pm: Lunch

2.45-4.00pm: The Argument section Part 2

4.00-4.30pm: Discussion, Questions & Answers

4.30-5.45pm: Task 3: Study Nobis-Elendu v INEC [2015] 16 NWLR (Part 1485) 197.
• Comment on the language, style, and substance of the lead judgment’s analysis on pages 220-225.
• Highlight the rhetorical deficiencies of the lead judgment, especially pages 220-225.

Day 3- Friday 4 December 2015

9.00-9.45am: Task 3 Presentations

9.45-10.15am: Think before you write

10.15-10.45am: Discussion, Questions & Answers

10.45-11.15am: Tea Break

11.15am-12noon: Case Theory, Themes, and Priming

12noon-12.30pm: The Rhetorical Triangle

12.30-1.30pm: Task 4: Study chapter II of Anatomy of a Brief by Chinua Asuzu.
• Why is Wole Soyinka’s Telephone Conversation of any interest or value in advocacy?
• What rhetorical device does Soyinka deploy so effectively in Telephone Conversation?
• What part of your brief can you improve using Soyinka’s technique in Telephone Conversation?
• How does priming help advocates? Explain cognitive conservatism in your own words.

1.30-2.45pm: Lunch

2.45-3.30pm: Task 4 Presentations

3.30-4.00pm: Logic and Clear Thought
4.00-4.30pm: Feedback, Testimonials, Certificates, Group Photos, and Closing