The workshop key topics 

Witness evidence is vital. A witness who fails to carry out structured preparation and is ignorant of the process is placed at a huge disadvantage. Their evidence may be lost, distorted, or manipulated if they do not have the skills and confidence to ensure that their evidence is understood by the decision makers. The sessions are led by a solicitor/barrister tutor who is a recognised communication expert in their field.

This training reassures witnesses by explaining the stages of the hearing and their role in giving evidence. This detailed guidance helps witnesses prepare for the hearing by considering what gives evidence weight, reliability, and credibility.

Our course provider specialises in providing a case preparation plan to be implemented by witnesses when preparing to give their own evidence. This equips witnesses with a methodology to identify strengths and weaknesses in their evidence and to handle documents at the hearing.

Witnesses learn how to select their evidence to maximise its impact through the use of key facts and documents. Witnesses receive tips on how to present evidence effectively by calmly managing a range of cross-examination techniques without having their evidence distorted or manipulated.

Feedback from witnesses and instructing lawyers has indicated that the session is highly effective in getting witnesses to set aside time to fully engage with, and prepare for, the hearing. It enables the witness to spend time going through their evidence with a clear purpose. The session helps them to identify what evidence to present, how best to present it, and why the delivery of evidence is vital.

Please note:

• Delegates must attend both the first and second sessions.
• Delegates cannot attend the second session without having attended the first session.

 Learning outcomes:

• Understanding court procedures, processes, and practices
• Considering the adversarial system and the rules of evidence
• Analysing the roles and responsibilities of witnesses, advocates and decision makers
• Effective case preparation before a hearing and liaison with others
• Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses in the evidence
• Dealing with attacks on the evidence and the witness
• Understanding the purpose of examination in chief, cross-examination, and re-examination
• Dealing with questioning under cross-examination with confidence, credibility, and clarity
• Learning how to advance evidence and deal with challenges to evidence
• Providing honest objective clear and helpful evidence
• Explaining technical information and evidence
• Understanding how to use contemporaneous notes, documents, and other evidence in hearings
• Anticipating cross-examination techniques/questioning and considering how to handle it
• Do’s and don’ts for witnesses
• Developing a toolkit for giving effective evidence
• Practical cross-examination role-plays – feedback - Witness Familiarisation Competency Criteria
• Cross-examination will NOT include witness coaching and will be in accordance with the Guidance on Witness Preparation (British Bar Council Professional Standards Committee October 2005)