PREPARING EVIDENCE FOR COURT

Carole FergusonPartnerBarrister (Lincoln’s Inn)

Preparing Evidence for Court

[disclaimer]

The Court System In Scotland

• Dependent of case type

• Different rules of evidence

• England & Wales system differs

• Terminology

Court System - Civil

House of Lords

Inner House Court of Session

Outer House Court of Session

Sheriff Principal

Sheriff alone

Court System - Criminal

High Court of Justiciary

Sheriff and Jury (Solemn)

Sheriff Alone (Summary)

Justice of the Peace Court

Court Layout

Burden of Proof

Civil

Balance of Probabilities

Criminal

Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Note: HSE and s.40/ R v. Chargot 2008 HL

Preparing Evidence

Witnesses

1. Statements, Precognitions, and live evidence;

• What information to gather;

• Admissibility of statements; and

• Refreshing memory.

2. What to do once you have the statements…

Witnesses

Productions

1. Productions:• Documents,• Business Records,• Photographs,• Sketches

3. How to Present Productions

2. Labelled Productions:• Real evidence,• Preservation and examination

Rules of Evidence

Disclosure

Witnesses At Court

Oaths/ Affirmations

• “I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

• “I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

How to Give Evidence

Judges/ Juries

Nervousness

Honesty

Lies

Impartiality

Finally…

• Lawyers mess up too

• Free - Hints and Tips Documentemail: carole@fergusonlegal.co.uk

Questions ??

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Carole Ferguson E: carole@fergusonlegal.co.ukT: 07917 848453