NATURAL ENGLAND STAFF ONLY:
Objectives of the training
This virtual session is designed to familiarise those who may give oral evidence in legal
proceedings/Public Inquiries with the knowledge, understanding and ability to give a coherent account.
Course outline
The course is intensive and highly practical. The procedures for giving evidence, the
order of events and the roles of different people at the hearing and the process of
giving evidence will be explained. The techniques lawyers use to disconcert and
discredit witnesses will be examined. The session is designed to demystify the
process of giving evidence. Delegates will experience being questioned by a solicitor
or barrister.
Key learning outcomes:
• The role of the witness
• How the system works
• The procedures and processes of giving evidence, order of events and roles of
those at the hearing
• Taking the oath/affirmation with confidence, where applicable
• How to give clear, honest and objective evidence
• Understanding the importance of telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth
• How to make appropriate use of supporting evidence, documents, graphics and
notes when giving evidence
• How to prepare for giving evidence
• Identifying the techniques of questioning and learning how to handle them
• To gain experience in being a witness and questioned through role-play, and to
receive feedback
P re- Course Preparation
F or you to get the most out of this course you will need to do a certain amount of preparation:
Come dressed as if you were giving evidence for real.
o Send to your In-house course organiser details of your qualifications and experience
o Send to your In-house course organiser a copy of a short expert witness case study (1-2 paragraphs long) based on a completed or hypothetical case within your area of expertise. An example will be provided
