Three Raymond Buildings launches the inaugural Robin Simpson KC Advocacy Competition

The competition is named after Robin Simpson KC, our former head of chambers who died in 2025. Robin was a giant of the criminal Bar and one of the best, if not the best, jury advocates of his generation. After he retired, Robin spent many years as an advocacy trainer in chambers, and several of our KCs and leading juniors were trained by him when they were pupils.

The competition is open to those who have either (i) applied for a place on the Bar Practice/Training Course, (ii) are currently on the Bar Practice/Training Course or (iii) have completed the Bar Practice/Training Course but do not yet have pupillage.

Anyone who is currently intending to apply for pupillage at the criminal bar (or at Three Raymond Buildings if you are interested in our other practice areas) should apply.

If you would like to enter, please email training@3rblaw.com to obtain a copy of the materials. You will find all the material you need to make a closing speech for the defence in the fictional trial. Please read the papers and then prepare and record your five-minute closing speech to the jury as a video. We do not care about the quality of the recording – only your advocacy.

All entries will be reviewed by members of chambers. We will send each participant a short piece of feedback on their performance.

We will select eight finalists who will be invited to attend a final to be judged by a panel of KCs and advocacy trainers. All finalists will be invited to complete a mini pupillage in chambers. There will be a cash prize for the overall winner.

All entries must be received by 16:00 on Friday 11 December 2026.

The final will be held in person at Gray’s Inn in the evening of 14 January 2027.

26th October 2026