Become a Confident Witness

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Coming in July 2024
Our online training courses for both lay witnesses and expert witnesses.

Our subscribers will receive updates on the course, release notifications, exclusive early-bird access and discounts!
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Online Self-Paced Expert Witness Training

Knowledge, understanding and confidence:
Everything an expert witness needs to effectively draft their own expert reports
and deliver their own evidence under cross examination.

Online Self-Paced Expert Witness Training Courses

Rated 5 stars from other expert witnesses, solicitors and barristers

Gain the Skills and Experience to Deliver your own Evidence with Confidence!

Prepared by practising legal professionals

Presented by practising barristers

Fully independent and ethical

7 day 100% money back satisfaction guaranteed

Trusted by law firms, witnesses and experts
throughout Australia and globally

Who this course will benefit?

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Parties to a proceeding who are relying on expert witnesses to give evidence in court

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Law firms, barristers and legal teams who have an upcoming trial with expert witnesses they need to prepare

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Companies or other organisations whose staff will be giving expert evidence (or likely to be giving evidence) at an upcoming hearing

N

Individual professional witnesses subpoenaed to appear to give evidence in court

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Any professional who is interested in learning more about the court and evidential processes

Course Learning Outcomes

Following these courses, you will:

Understand the court and trial process

Understand the role and duties of an expert witness

Know the expectations of expert witnesses giving evidence

Develop the characteristics of an effective expert witness

Learn how to draft a persuasive, structured and well reasoned expert report

Understand how to prepare an expert report so as to minimise challenges to that report – both from other experts and opposing legal teams

Recognise and be alert to common cross examination techniques used by barristers against expert witnesses

Develop and implement strategies to effectively respond to such techniques

Practical application and implementation of these during mock cross examinations

What do these courses cover?

These expert witness training courses cover two distinct topics:

• Expert witness Report Writing
• Expert witness Cross Examination

They can be undertaken separately, or as a combined, comprehensive course.

Independently prepared and presented by practising legal professionals.

Check out the below for a free outline of each course and samples of the training.

Expert Witness Report Writing Self-Paced Online Course – Free Course Outline and Free Sample Videos

Module 1 – Expert Witness Fundamentals
  1. Fundamentals of expert evidence
  2. Role of an expert
  3. Rules of admissibility
  4. Evidence by report
  5. Qualities of a good expert
  6. How courts assess expert evidence
  7. Expert evidence and privilege

Duration: 18:45

Module 2 – Receiving Instructions as an Expert Witness
  1. Practicalities
  2. Conflicts of interest
  3. Confidentiality
  4. Content of instructions
  5. Additional points
  6. Instructions through agencies

Duration:  10:48

Module 3 – Drafting Your Expert Report
  1. Before drafting
  2. The Golden Rule
  3. Elements of a report
  4. Reasoning
  5. Language
  6. Formatting and structure
  7. The “Hierarchy of Propositions”
  8. Qualifications
  9. Legal Standards
  10. Dealing with drafts

Duration:  33:56

Module 4 – Involvement of Solicitors in Drafting an Expert Report
  1. Pre-drafting
  2. Form of report
  3. Substance of the report
  4. What is permitted?
  5. What is prohibited?
  6. What is controversial?
  7. Inappropriate pressure on experts

Duration 10:20

Module 5 – Specific Issues in Drafting Expert Reports
  1. Involvement of others in writing report
  2. Assumptions and underlying facts
  3. Conclaves of experts and joint reports

Duration 06:35

Module 6 – Practical Analysis and Discussion of Sample Reports

Analysis and discussion of sample “short form” expert reports

Duration:  28:27

Plus bonus support and material:

  • Ongoing support for any queries you might have
  • Network and meet other expert witnesses
  • Discounts on live, in-person and in-house training offerings, and bespoke tailored offerings where appropriate.
  • Access to our detailed scenario training materials

*Note these courses do not cover the specific details of any legal claim nor the details of any specific evidence or engagement you may be involved in as an expert witness. We are legally and ethically prohibited from discussing this with you – that is for your legal team and we do not and cannot give legal advice.

Expert Witness Cross Examination Self-Paced Online Course – Free Course Outline and Free Sample Videos

Module 1 – Expert Witness Cross Examination – Introduction
  1. Legal and ethical obligations:
    1. For Lawyers
    2. For Witnesses
    3. For Trainers

Duration: 3:00

Module 2 – Trial Process
  1. Purpose of trial
  2. The court itself
  3. Steps to trial
  4. The day of trial
  5. Types of witnesses:
    1. Lay Witnesses
    2. Experts
    3. Hybrid
  6. Admissibility of evidence
  7. Expert witness duties

Duration:  20:37

Module 3 – Giving Evidence Itself

  1. Phases of Examination
    1. Examination in chief
    2. Cross-examination
    3. Re-examination
  2. Judge’s interventions
  3. General tips on giving expert evidence
  4. Conclave process
  5. How advocates prepare to cross examine expert witnesses

Duration:  45:25

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Module 4 – General Cross Examination Strategies

  1. Closed questions
  2. Interruptions
  3. Undermining a witness
  4. Luring you beyond your expertise
  5. Inciting an argument
  6. “Closing the gate”
  7. Charm offensive
  8. Dorothy Dixers
  9. Uncomfortable silence
  10. Rapid fire
  11. Reasonable practice

Duration 24:54

Module 5 – Specific Cross Examination Strategies for Experts

  1. How do judges decide which expert to accept?
  2. Attacks on credibility and how to respond?
  3. How to prepare to give evidence
  4. How to deal with subsequent information
  5. Dealing with changes in opinion
  6. Dealing with fees
  7. Additional points

Duration 7:52

Module 6 – “Don’t regard it as a game you are trying to win”, and when can experts make concessions in cross examination?

Don’t regard it as a game you are trying to win”, and when should experts make concessions in cross examination?

Duration:  24:23

Module 7 – The importance of reading the expert code, and a belligerent, bullying barrister

The importance of reading the expert code, and a belligerent, bullying, barrister

Duration:  29:11

Module 8 – What to do with new information?
What to do with new information?

Duration:  21:31

Module 9 – Measured responses, some more consideration of expert witness concessions,
and the beauty and power of a simple “no”
Measured responses, more on expert witness concessions, and the beauty and power of a simple “no”

Duration: 28:54

Plus bonus support and material:

  • Ongoing support for any queries you might have
  • Network and meet other expert witnesses
  • Discounts on live, in-person and in-house training offerings, and bespoke tailored offerings where appropriate.
  • Access to our detailed scenario training materials

*Note these courses do not cover the specific details of any legal claim nor the details of any specific evidence or engagement you may be involved in as an expert witness. We are legally and ethically prohibited from discussing this with you – that is for your legal team and we do not and cannot give legal advice.

When should an expert witness do these courses?

This course can be done at any time. It can be done:

  • By a professional looking to commence their career as an expert witness
  • By an existing expert witness looking to refine and improve their skills
  • By an existing expert witness prior to, or during, a specific instruction
  • As part of an experienced expert witness’ (or potential expert witness’) continuing upskilling, learning and professional development

Pricing

The cost for the courses per witness is:

  • Expert Witness Report Writing $585
  • Expert Witness Cross Examination $785

Combine both courses and save!

  • Both Courses Combined $1,185
    (Discount Price)

Note – all prices quoted are GST exclusive.

All bookings have the benefit of our 7-day 100% money back guarantee – no questions asked. Try now – you have nothing to lose.

If of interest, check out the free samples of our courses, above. You can be sure of what you are getting.

Group discounts are available, as are corporate/organisation/law firm discounts for regular or bulk users – please contact us to discuss pricing.

Join the 1000s of others who have benefited from our training

About Loquitur

Loquitur is Australia’s leading witness familiarisation and witness training organisation. We offer a series of courses to all witnesses across all jurisdictions on how to effectively deliver their own evidence.

Crucially, we are completely independent. We are not involved in your proceedings and are thus best placed to offer rigorous, ethical training.

As part of our training offerings we noticed one service was decidedly lacking – an online, self-paced course for expert witnesses to better understand the fundamentals, complexities and practicalities of the delivery of evidence to Court.

And that is why we worked with a series of practising solicitors and barristers to develop and present our self-paced online expert witness training courses – to take some of the uncertainties out of the court process and to better allow expert witnesses the chance to express their own evidence in Court – both in their reports and under cross examination

FAQs

What is the total course duration?
  • The expert witness report writing course has a duration (9 modules) totalling approx. [2] hours of teaching time, plus preparation and coursework (approx. [2] hours)

  • The expert witness cross examination course has a duration ([X] modules) totalling approx. [ ] hours of teaching time, plus preparation and coursework (approx. [  ] hours)
Can I re-watch and review parts of the course or specific modules?

Yes

How long will I have access to the course for?
6 months from date of order
How much does the course cost?

Expert Witness Report Writing
$585

Expert Witness Cross Examination
$785

 

Combine both courses and save!

Both Courses Combined
$1,185

When should the course be undertaken?
At any time during the expert witness’ career. It is suitable for professionals starting their career as an expert witness, in advance of or during a specific instruction, or as part of the general up-skilling and CPD process for experienced expert witnesses
Do you offer live intensive, follow up training?

Yes, we offer a series of live intensive follow up training sessions, either online or in person. In some cases these can be tailored specific expertise and organisations. Please contact us to discuss.

Is this course suitable for expert witnesses in non-Australian proceedings?
Yes, it is. While we obviously focus on the Australian legal system, the fundamentals of expert evidence and expert cross examination are similar across many jurisdictions and expert witnesses from those jurisdictions will still get great benefit from undertaking the course.
Is Loquitur independent?
Yes, Loquitur is fully independent of any underlying proceedings which an expert witness may be engaged in
Who prepares and presents the training?
Our materials were prepared by a select group of practising solicitors and barristers, many of whom actually teach junior barristers skills such as advocacy and cross examination. The course itself is also presented by a practising barrister.
Are costs recoverable in the proceedings?
This is subject to local Rules and the Court, although arguably yes as such preparation is recoverable given that it is necessary and proper for the conduct of the litigation. Furthermore, similar courses in other common law jurisdictions (e.g. England and Wales) are also recoverable.
Is the training ethical?
Yes. Of course.! All our materials have been prepared wholly independent of the facts and matters of the proceedings, and Loquitur itself is also fully independent of any legal proceeding. Additionally, all courses are given by experienced practising barristers who are fully aware of the jurisdictional and ethical requirements and are bound by them.
Is this course suitable for lay witnesses?
This course is aimed at expert witnesses. We have a separate online course for lay witnesses [Link]
What is the aim of this course?
The aim of this course is for expert witnesses to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to effectively and confidently deliver their own evidence and opinion to courts, tribunals etc – both by way of written report and under cross examination.
Does this replace witness preparation I will do with my legal team?
No. Witness training courses cannot, and does not, seek to replace detailed witness preparation and proofing by the witness’ legal team. These courses are designed to complement the legal team’s preparation by providing an additional practical training and education which legal teams are often unable to provide for both ethical and practical reasons.
Can I discuss my actual evidence with you?
No – we do not know and cannot know your specific circumstances nor the details or issues in any litigation you are involved in. This is the sole remit of your legal team who will advise you on this.
Are discount pricings available for groups?
Yes, please contact us to discuss packages and discounts
Are corporate/law firm access packages available?
Yes, please contact us to discuss packages and discounts
How does the 7-day 100% money back guarantee work?
Simple. If after you have signed up you are not 100% satisfied with the course, let us know within 7 days and we will give you your money back, no questions asked!
Can I sample the course material for free?
Yes, of course. See the videos above for free extracts of the actual training.
How do training courses help a legal team prepare for trial?
Witness training courses are designed to assist legal teams in their trial preparation process. They are a comprehensive, turn-key solution which allows witnesses to undergo a series of detailed and rigorous simulated training (such as report writing or cross examination) without the risk (either real or perceived) of witness coaching. It also saves time in the trial preparation process, allowing the legal team to focus on the specific legal and procedural issues arising. In this manner witness training courses seeks to complement, rather than replace, the process of witness proofing by the witness’ legal team.

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