LOCATIONSVisit
MEDIAVisit
FIS® CERTIFICATIONVisit
TRAINING SCHEDULEVisit
LOGIN/REGISTERVisit

Court Room Skills

Having presented evidence at court rooms for decades such as, Magistrates, Crown, Civil and at the High Court the one common feature is that the witness box can be a lonely place for the unprepared witness irrespective of your subject expertise.

You are left with feelings of isolation and often feelings that you are the one on trial.

This can cause anxiety and frustration which in turn affects your presentation of the evidence you can provide to the court.

This course is aimed at providing witnesses with the necessary understanding of the legal system and the role the witness plays within the court process by enabling them to provide evidence in the most acceptable format.

The course allows for classroom tuition and role play scenarios.

 

Aims and Objectives

  • Recognise different court settings
  • Understand your role
  • Understand the roles of all involved in the court process
  • How the adversarial system works
  • Preparation for giving evidence
  • Court room familiarisation prior to attending court
  • Taking the oath or affirmation with confidence
  • Writing and presenting your statement
  • Understand the techniques used by lawyers and barristers to question you
  • Follow court rules and procedures
  • Provide clear and concise evidence
  • Understand the do’s and dont’s of giving evidence 


Course Structure 

The course has been designed by highly experienced Police Officers, Senior Social Workers and a qualified Solicitor, people who have provided evidence in cases of the most sensitive nature in high profile cases.

The decision of the Court of Appeal in R v Momodou(2005) emphasised that witness coaching is not permitted.

The Court drew a distinction between witness coaching and witness familiarisation of the court processes.

 

The structure of this training programme is fully compliant with the points raised in the Momodou case and the Bar Council Guidelines.

The content of the Court Room Skills are regularly reviewed and updated in the light of changing policy and legislation, research, learning from SCRs, child death reviews, Criminal Case Reviews and practical experience.

Providing clear and concise evidence at court can only serve to enhance the credibility of the witness. Particular focus is placed on confidence building and assertive communication.

Participants will have an opportunity to be examined in chief and cross-examined on a sample-case.

The training programme is designed to demystify the process of giving evidence based on practical experience and also case relevant case law ensuring the candidate is fully prepared to attend court.

This training course WILL NOT be based on facts which are the same as or similar to those of any current or impending trial, hearing or proceedings at which a course participant is likely to be a witness.

 

Target Groups

The course is aimed at all those who are required to provide witness or expert evidence at court on behalf of the prosecution.

This may include agencies within the public and private sector including:

  • Police Officers
  • Police Support Staff
  • Private Investigators
  • Social Services
  • Health Service
  • Education
  • Trading Standards
  • HSE
  • Fraud Investigation
  • NSPCC
  • IPCC
  • Military
  • Immigration Services
  • Expert Witnesses of all disciplines

Course Duration

2 days

For more information Email Us

Course Enquiry

If you would like to find out more about our courses, feel free to get in touch with us below.