High Court Appearance as Witness

bog master

Hi All!

Have to appear in the High Court shortly for a clients Personal Injury Case. I do his accounts and may have to give evidence re loss of earnings.

Having never appeared in any courtroom, can anyone give me an idea of what to expect?

Jo King

First off, prepare for a lot of hanging around. there are usually a lot of cases listed, with one at hearing and settlement negotiations going on in the others. If your case does not settle and your evidence is disputed, you will have to give evidence.
You are unlikely to be the first witness called so you will have the opportunity to see how other witnesses are handled.
You will be called by your clients barrister to give direct evidence. You are not supposed to be prompted in direct evidence. You will be asked about your qualifications. You will have to confirm authorship of any documents you may have prepared and give evidence of the accuracy of any figures supplied by you client to the other side. You will then be cross examined by counsel for the other side. You will be asked questions regarding your direct evidence. You may be challenged as to the accuracy of your assertions. There may be an attempt to show your clients business was in decline before the accident. You should bring diaries as evidence of contact with you client at particular times.

bog master

Thanks Jo King! Seems a rather daunting experience but has to be done !