Understanding, choosing, persuading: three verbs that sum up the essence of the legal profession. The University of Bologna is launching a new continuing professional development course in Legal Argumentation Techniques for Drafting Criminal Proceedings, designed for those wishing to refine their skills in producing the most complex procedural documents.
The initiative targets lawyers and legal practitioners – graduates in law engaged in forensic training, UPP staff, and trainee lawyers – with the aim of mastering not only the form but above all the substance of legal reasoning.
Directed by Michele Caianiello, professor of Criminal Procedure in the Department of Legal Studies, the programme offers advanced tools for analysing, planning and drafting judicial documents with a high strategic content.
From appeals to applications to the Court of Cassation, through to submissions to the European Court of Human Rights, preliminary reference requests to the Court of Justice of the European Union, and issues of constitutional legitimacy, participants will be guided in learning effective and persuasive argumentation techniques, in which hermeneutic competence and strategic insight combine to shape a high-level professional approach.
Classes will take place from 23 January to 13 March 2026, for a total of 25 hours, 10 of which may be attended remotely.
The programme will conclude with a day devoted to current and future scenarios concerning criminal proceedings addressed to higher courts, followed by a meeting with experts to discuss technical aspects and professional guidance.
Those wishing to learn more about the contents, structure and lecturers can join the online Open Day on 12 December at 15.00 – an opportunity for guidance and in-depth discussion with the programme coordinators and lecturers.
