Have you completed the law study and
now entered the law practice? In this article, you will learn Twenty Four Tips to
Getting Ready for Your First Court Appearance.
1. Remember that someone is always
witching you where ever you are in the building and word quickly gets around
.it should not surprise you to know that the clerk in your court does discuss
you with the magistrate /judge before they enter the court make sure that you
leave a favorable impression, which leads me to tip #2
2. Use your manners with everyone.
Keep in your mind about PS and Q S with court staff, police, other lawyers, and
most of all your clients.
3. Get there early so you can have
time to speak to opposing councils to try for a last-minute resolution. The
court is always great full for such attempts even when fruitless.
4. Introduce yourself to opposing
counsel. You should write their name on your note pad so you don't forget it.
Make small talk because you are not enemies.
5. Keep your client in the loop. Most
of the lawyers pass notes and some prefer to wait for the adjournment to
discuss the events of the hearing. Talk to YOUR client in the language they
understand and do what you can to show your client that you get them and where
they are coming from.I have noticed over the year s that
a well-informed client seems to be a much more settled client.
6. You should know your audience and
do not swagger into a children s court protection Application hearing acting
like you are walking into the high court (HC). Some of the courts are more
formal than others, so tailor your ADVOCACY style to suit the forum.
7. It is never a good idea to use
such kind of phrase, "I demand that your honor...just don't do it.
8. Be on time and be prepared .if
you are listed for 10 am, be ready at 10 am .it is never a good start to a case
when you need to ask the bench for more time again, the first impression does
count.
9. Before you start an examination
or cross-examination, offer the witness a glass of water. It will make you look
considerate and puts them at ease for the statement.
10. You don't ask the clerk what
kind of mood the magistrate is in now, they will not tell you.
11. If you are new to JURISDICTION,
get to know the forms go to the registry to discuss the most commonly used
forms, but do so in the afternoon. In the mornings time is taken up with
getting each courtroom ready for the day.
12. Don't be afraid to ask the bench
clerk for their opinion about the case. They have sat through thousands of
hours of hearing s and although they must and will remain neutral, they may be
able to give you feedback on more practical things, such as where witnesses Can wait, whether they think you
will be out of there by lunchtime or 4 pm and how to best display exhibits.
13. If you plan to tender something
on paper, you make sure that you have enough copies for everyone at the bar
table. The witness and the magistrate ensure that the clerk gets the original.
14. If you have some lengthy reports
to tender to provide copies ahead of time to your learned friends and to the
time set aside for the hearing of the case.
15. To show your exhibit, If you
need a projector CD / DVD player, let
the court know at least a week before the hearing date. It will ensure that the
facilities are available to you and prevent unnecessary adjournments.
16. Regardless of the case, you
should believe in your submissions. The
court can tell when it’s half Hearted and when you are just going through the
motion. You should give your client passionate and engaged advocacy.
17. In all of your submissions of
the case, start by outlining what you are seeking the court will be grateful
for the signpost and it will give your submission more relevance. Do not wait
for the court to ask “yes" and what do you want?
18. Speak slowly and clearly. The
magistrate/Judge is taking notes on the paper, as are your learned friends also
at the bar table, make sure the witness understands your question clearly.
19. Be honest with the court about
your case and time frames if you have 35 witnesses, don't round it down. If the
case runs over and the judge /magistrate needs to find time in a very busy
dairy to finish the case .the will not think highly of you.
20. In the Last-minute basics turn
your phone to silent
Face the bench and how from the
waist whenever you enter or leave a sitting courtroom. You do not move the
muscle when a witness is being sworn in. If the oath is interrupted by anything
then the clerk must start the swearing-in all over again.
21. Have the phone numbers of all of
your witnesses in your phone / Ipad.
22. Stand when addressing the court,
unless it is the rule of that particular court to remain seated during
submission.
23. If you find yourself with some
free time on your hands spends it at your local court and watch a few different
cases to see the different ADVOCACY styles.
24. When it comes time to prepare
for your court appearance, don't forget to work hard, be polite, talk to your
client, and be nice to the bench clerk!
