Any questions?

One of the most useful tools of advocacy is a collection of conventional phrases. Many of them are clichés, but they help oil the wheels.

A common moment of difficulty is, when having finished saying what you have to say, you want to stop. It is all too easy to find yourself dribbling to a halt, after which there is a long moment of silence while everyone else waits to see if you are finished.

Bar students are taught to say something like “Madam, unless I can assist you further, those are my submissions.” If that feels too pompous, you could say, “Unless you have any questions for me, that is all I have to say.” This brings the speech to a clean stop and gives the tribunal members their cue to ask you any questions they have in mind.