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Evident Training Courses

Courses

Evident brings the insight of its trainers and consultants together and, on a video review with the barrister trainer, the witness is able to see what the tribunal and the trainers saw and relate it to the techniques we teach. A copy of the video and a note of the key points seen on review is sent to the witness and the client lawyers promptly after the exercise. Our cross-examination exercises necessarily do not touch on the facts of the case for which the witness is being prepared. That would be ‘coaching’, which is prohibited in HK and the UK. It is also our experience that coaching usually produces a response that is counterproductive because it is all-too-easily recognised by judges and tribunals. Our exercises are ad hoc but no less thorough. The witness is taken into matters they know about but may not have expected to be questioned upon, producing a real and memorable learning experience from which the witness directly benefits. For the more important and heavier cases or where a CEO or CFO is to be a witness, Evident can call on a Silk to train and a deputy judge, arbitrator or retired judge or arbitrator to give extra verisimilitude to the cross-examination part of the exercise. Evident can deliver these experts and its courses in English or Cantonese.

How It Works

Bespoke and Modular Design

 

Our witnesses witness preparation courses are designed to address your needs. Our starting point is to understand your timeframe, the nature of the court or tribunal (e.g. civil or criminal, arbitration or litigation), your witness’s particular needs (e.g. language, disability etc.), and your budget.

Experienced Advocates

All of our clients receive training from top quality barristers with experience before the relevant courts and tribunals. Clients can choose whether they wish to be trained by junior or senior counsel and specialist counsel in a relevant area. Our witnesses can choose to be cross-examined by counsel in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

Expert Psychologists

Giving evidence can be a marathon. Witnesses are under extreme pressure, something that experienced advocates will use to their advantage.

Evident helps your witness to maintain control using expert clinical and performance psychologists, who can help to overcome anxiety, pressure, emotional reactions, attention and concentration issues, motivation, and burnout.

Experienced Judges

Unique in the region, our clients can choose to have their preparation with former judges or experienced arbitrators presiding – including from those with specialist experience in specialist courts and tribunals. This allows witnesses the unique and priceless opportunity to simulate a real, specialist hearing.

Interpreters

Witnesses may be examined in a language different from their own. In courts and tribunals, this means that evidence will be given through an interpreter. This is a difficult and unique impediment to evidence. To simulate aspect of evidence, we use experienced interpreters as part of our training sessions.

Performance Coaches

Giving evidence is a performance. It involves speaking clearly, with poise and confidence – something that may not come easy to all witnesses.

Evident uses experienced performance coaches to enhance the training sessions, giving you practical tips to help enhance your performance in court.

Content of Courses

Evident offers two course levels, Evident Essential and Evident Plus: See below. Bespoke courses are also available Courses can be conducted online or in person. Courses are held in Cantonese Mandarin and English. 

Course Content

We provide two course levels: Evident Essential and Evident Plus.

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During all of our courses, witnesses are introduced to the trial or arbitration hearing process from the perspective of a lay or expert witness.

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All witnesses experience the process of giving evidence by giving evidence and undergoing a forensic cross-examination by one of our specialist trainer barristers.  

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All training is recorded. Afterwards, clients are provided with a report containing a personal analysis from our expert trainer and the performance specialists and, if retained, an experienced judge/arbitrator. This feedback levels the field for our clients, enabling their witnesses to give their best evidence.

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All our clients are familiarised with:

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  • The layout of the court or tribunal.

  • The likely sequence of events when a witness gives evidence.

  • Role and duties of witnesses.

  • Different perspectives and roles (client, advocate and judge)

  • Court and hearing etiquette.

  • Examination and questioning techniques of lawyers.

  • How to refer to documents & bundles.

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For expert witnesses, our trainers cover:

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  • The Expert’s Code of Conduct.

  • Essentials of the Expert’s Report.

  • Form, scope and instructions.

  • Facts, opinion and admissible opinion.

  • Essential elements of a good expert’s report.

  • Relevant provisions and rules of court, privilege and disclosure.

  • Preparation for trial.

 

Our courses are also available in person, on Zoom or Teams.

Contact

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