Pupil barrister-to-be OccupyTheInns reveals some unlikely heroes as he advises Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) students to think outside the box when developing their advocacy skills

Advocacy is about far more than words. It is also about presence. In this clip from the excellent Animalfightclubs, observe the way the cougar stakes out its territory and then – in a flash – attacks the wolf. Good advocates do exactly the same against their opponents, holding their gaze when they meet outside court until the other blinks and looks away, before using the psychological edge they have gained to triumph in front of the judge.

Speaking of cougars, I’m a big fan of former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s wife, Cherie Blair QC. Not only is she a very attractive older woman, but she’s a first class advocate. Cherie’s opening keynote at the women in business conference is 35 minutes long, but it’s worth listening to every second of it. The way she uses her gender should act as an inspiration to women seeking to pursue careers at the Bar – no mean feat. In this clip (see 2:30 – 3:16 below), Cherie brilliantly subverts gender norms, joking with the two men in the room in hilarious style.

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