Mr Mackenzie, who was there in his capacity as vice chair of the International Advocacy Training Council (IATC), was part of a panel of local and international advocacy trainers. They were participating in the inaugural advanced trial advocacy course hosted by the Bar Association of Zimbabwe in conjunction with the  IATC.

The panel also included Timothy Bruinders SC, Anna Annandale SC, retired Judge Trevor Gorven (all from South Africa), Harvey Hundal who practices in Malaysia, and advocates David Ochieng, Francisca Chinwawadzimba, Eric Matinenga, Fadzayi Mahere and Thembinkosi Magwaliba from Zimbabwe.

The participants were Zimbabwean trial lawyers. The three-day course covered how to deliver an opening address for a trial, examination in chief, cross-examination and closing addresses. The training on case analysis, provided by Mr Mackenzie, was a deep dive into how to prepare for trial and synthesize the facts, issues and applicable law forensically to ensure that one’s handling of all aspects of the trial is clear, cogent, and persuasive.

The training culminated in a full trial on the last day. In addition to the trial advocacy training, the participants attended sessions on legal ethics and legal writing.