CPD: OPA, Preparing and Examining Your Witness at Trial: Mastering Witness Preparation

Overview

This CPD focuses on paralegal advocacy and effective witness management during trials.  It covers the importance of witnesses in storytelling, evidence, and trial procedure.  Participants will learn about the four types of witnesses—parties, lay witnesses, participant experts, and hired experts—along with strategies for identifying, preparing, and managing witnesses.  Key topics include witness statements, expert reports, subpoenas, and ethical considerations under the Paralegal Rules of Conduct.  The program also explores best practices for witness preparation, including reviewing trial documents, conducting direct and cross-examination rehearsals, and using preparation tools like witness tip sheets and chronologies.

Guest Speaker

Mick Hassell
Lawyer, Hassell Trial Counsel

What Will You Learn?

• Paralegals, advocacy and witnesses.
• The importance of witnesses: Story, People, Documents and things, Law of evidence, Trial procedure, Substantive law.
• 4 types of witnesses: Parties, Lay witnesses, Participant experts, Hired guns.
• Witness Management: Identifying the witnesses you need, Witness statements and litigation privilege, Requirements for expert reports, Will say statements, Documents in the possession of witnesses, Long-range witness management, Summonses and subpoenas.
• Witnesses and Ethics: Paralegal Rules of Conduct, Duty to the Tribunal, Obtaining witness statements, Preparing witnesses to testify, Order excluding witnesses, Communication with witnesses giving evidence.
• Witness Preparation: Witness tip sheet / memo, Witness homework (for example, chronology), List of topics for examination, Review the trial documents, Direct examination rehearsal, Cross-examination as a witness preparation tool, Witness likeability

Materials Included:

• No handout materials.