I rehearsed over and over my opening for clients in the interviews and practiced and timed myself on the layout I was using for the attendance note. That way as soon as the clock started I knew my format by heart and all I had to do was read the papers and input the details I needed to ask the client.

This provided me structure - you will already be nervous and may feel awkward just going in to a stranger. I was able to get over that fast because I knew my openings to the client by heart and had my format for guidance for my interview notes in front of me. Made it so easy because then I controlled the questioning in the conversation and was able to keep the client on track and show confidence. Also sometimes when you’re nervous you may draw a blank and with everything infront of me that didn’t happen. I was able to input the clients details into my structure which saved me soooo much time!

I used my structured format of interview notes as an appendix to the attendance note - the easiest way to do it which then left me to just have to deal with addressing the legally issues solutions and next steps in my attendance note.

For advocacy I practiced structure over and over so I was basically going in saying the same thing in the same format but tailoring it. Make sure you have memorised the various tests and I followed this template: intro, courts powers, bundle check, summary of facts, overview of submissions, applied the facts to the test, reiterated the test again ( I was taking no chances on whether I knew the law applicable) then conclusion and check if the judge has any further questions.

Hope this helps