Courtroom Tales of Ethics, Advocacy, & Domestic Violence with The Hon. Professor David McLachlan, King's Counsel
A new year has come and as always, we start off with a bang! On the 22nd of January, we had the absolute honor of welcoming back The Hon. Professor David McLachlan, King's Counsel of Manchester Metropolitan University for his third visit to Brickfields Asia College.
Held at the Omnia Auditorium, Menara BAC, this an event students now highly anticipate every year. This time, the lecture brought students face-to-face with the realities of courtroom advocacy, ethical decision-making, and some of the most challenging domestic violence cases heard in the UK.
Drawing from his decades of experience as a leading barrister and academic, Professor McLachlan delivered a masterclass that was practical, interactive, but most importantly, deeply human.
Session One: Ten Essential Tips in Advocacy
The session opened with “10 Top Tips in Advocacy”, a fast-paced and engaging segment that focused on courtroom presence and persuasion. Eight students were invited to take part in an interactive demonstration, allowing the audience to see advocacy techniques in action rather than theory.
Among the key lessons shared were the importance of standing with confidence, using appropriate body language, maintaining eye contact, and avoiding physical or visual barriers such as hiding behind notes. Professor McLachlan also emphasized vocal control, reminding students not to rush, not to speak too softly, and to prepare thoroughly.
Throughout every tip, one thing was emphasized: advocacy is storytelling, and every detail matters.
Session Two: What Would You Do?
Those who are familiar with Professor McLachlan's lectures know that it's always a fun time but when it's time to get to into the meat of the lecture, you've got to brace for the realities that advocates go through, especially in Criminal Law.
In the second session as Professor McLachlan challenged students with real ethical dilemmas drawn from his own career. Using actual UK murder cases, including The Case of Alfie Benson, The Case of Thomas Cashman, and The Case of Jack Crawley, he asked students to step into the advocate’s role.
Rather than providing answers upfront, he invited the audience to consider what decisions they would make, how they would respond under pressure, and where ethical boundaries should be drawn. It was an excellent activity to really demonstrate the sheer weight of responsibility carried by advocates and the difficult decisions required when the stakes are life, liberty, and justice.
Session Three: Love, Lies, and Lethal Violence
The final session, “Love, Lies and Lethal Violence”, offered a powerful deep dive into a recent case involving Rebecca Campbell and Michael Ormandy. This session is always one to watch; it's insightful, terrifying, heartbreaking, but incredibly inspiring.
Here, Professor McLachlan walked students through the case step by step, showing how modern advocacy integrates technology, evidence presentation, and narrative structure. The grit of it all and how every element is considered in court.
From digital data to video footage used in court, students were given a rare behind-the-scenes look at how contemporary trials are built and argued. While we all learn about how law and technology are used in class, this session was an excellent showcase on how it's used in the real world.
A Lasting Impact
Professor McLachlan’s return once again reaffirmed BAC’s commitment to exposing students to real courtroom practice and global legal perspectives. His ability to blend technical advocacy skills with real human stories left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.
For many students, the session was not just about learning how to present yourself during a case, but about understanding the responsibility that comes with being an advocate.
One thing was clear by the end of the afternoon:
Advocacy is not just about speaking well in court. It is about judgment, ethics, preparation, and the courage to stand for what matters.