Phil Watts

Surviving the Witness Box Phil Watts

How well you survive the court experience will be determined not only by your performance in the witness box, but also upon the quality of your report and the way in which you deal with the briefing lawyer. "Surviving the Witness Box" demonstrates that these skills, and many others, can be learned, particularly once you understand the rules of the legal "game". "Surviving the Witness Box" is a practical discussion covering a variety of important topics, in particular:




- The "game", and rules, of court

- The pathways to court (and how to avoid them!)

- How to write reports for court

- What constitutes expert evidence

- How to deal effectively with cross-examination

- The practical do's and don'ts of appearing in court

- Courtroom protocol




Join the thousands of psychologists and other professionals who have learned to play the legal "game" through the "Reliable Witness Seminars" and book. This revised and expanded edition of "A Reliable Witness" (2004) is packed with strategies to maximise the chances that you, and your evidence, will be perceived in a positive light. Although written by a psychologist, this book will appeal to all professions, whether mental health, medical, accounting or engineering. With over 600 appointments as "Single Expert" in the Family Court and 750 reports for other courts, Dr Watts is a highly experienced forensic psychologist. He has given evidence in numerous trials in the Children's, Family, District and Supreme Courts. He has also appeared before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, State Administrative Tribunal, and the Immigration Appeals Tribunal. An interesting

peculiarity is that he actually enjoys giving evidence in court!