Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Giving Evidence is Like Driving a Car
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Giving Evidence is Like Driving a Car
How is giving evidence in court the same as driving a car? Michael Watson shares the similarities and how keeping your cool and knowing the court's rules will make you a better evidence-giver.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- As with learning to drive, giving evidence in court takes practice.
- When driving a car, you have to be in complete control of your emotional state. The same is true for appearing in court.
- Your ability to think is impaired when you’re upset and annoyed.
- The behaviour of those questioning you in court is often intentionally irritating. You must focus on staying calm and keeping control.
- When giving evidence in court, know your starting point and destination, and plan your route there.
- Know the rules of the courts as you know the rules of the road.
BEST MOMENTS
“For those of you who are car drivers, do you remember how unfamiliar it felt when you first placed your hands on the steering wheel and tried to operate the car? At first, it takes a lot of effort, coordination, concentration, and time to drive a car. And you have to practice doing so repeatedly before you become familiar when behind the wheel. It’s exactly the same with giving evidence or doing anything that’s completely new to you. It takes a period of time and a lot of trial, effort and discomfort at first. Eventually, due to repetitive practice, you feel a greater degree of comfort and mastery over what the process entails.”
CONTACT METHOD
[email protected].
Instagram: michael240656
Linkedin
ABOUT THE HOST
Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court’, and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court’, provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.
View all episodes
By Michael WatsonHow is giving evidence in court the same as driving a car? Michael Watson shares the similarities and how keeping your cool and knowing the court's rules will make you a better evidence-giver.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- As with learning to drive, giving evidence in court takes practice.
- When driving a car, you have to be in complete control of your emotional state. The same is true for appearing in court.
- Your ability to think is impaired when you’re upset and annoyed.
- The behaviour of those questioning you in court is often intentionally irritating. You must focus on staying calm and keeping control.
- When giving evidence in court, know your starting point and destination, and plan your route there.
- Know the rules of the courts as you know the rules of the road.
BEST MOMENTS
“For those of you who are car drivers, do you remember how unfamiliar it felt when you first placed your hands on the steering wheel and tried to operate the car? At first, it takes a lot of effort, coordination, concentration, and time to drive a car. And you have to practice doing so repeatedly before you become familiar when behind the wheel. It’s exactly the same with giving evidence or doing anything that’s completely new to you. It takes a period of time and a lot of trial, effort and discomfort at first. Eventually, due to repetitive practice, you feel a greater degree of comfort and mastery over what the process entails.”
CONTACT METHOD
[email protected].
Instagram: michael240656
Linkedin
ABOUT THE HOST
Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court’, and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court’, provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.