This episode delves into the challenges individuals face when giving evidence in court, particularly focusing on the daunting experience of being cross-examined. Michael talks about how to manage emotions, listen attentively, and respond effectively to questions while maintaining composure and credibility. The episode underscores the necessity of practising the skills required to present coherent and persuasive evidence in a highly adversarial courtroom environment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Giving great evidence in court requires thorough preparation and understanding of the case to be able to speak authoritatively.

• It is crucial to manage and control emotions while in the witness box to maintain composure and credibility.

• Active listening is essential to provide concise and relevant answers to questions asked during cross-examination.

• Displaying poise, balance, and a positive attitude throughout the process can help in delivering persuasive evidence.

• Utilising examples, statistics, and patterns of behaviour can strengthen arguments and clarify points for the court.

BEST MOMENTS

"Many people struggle with giving evidence because they don't understand that the process is designed to be difficult and that the court is, for lay people, an alien environment that no one except legal people feel comfortable with."

"The words conflict and criticism are for me now synonymous with the court. never used to be, but they are now because I have been to court enough times to know, without doubt, that the court is a highly adversarial environment."

"You have to know about and be prepared for angles of attack. Those cross-examining you, and including the judges, are likely to focus on, be critical about, and question you in connection with."

"Controlling emotions is critical to the way you come across and portray yourself in the witness box. You cannot allow anything to hijack your emotions, undermine your belief in yourself, or impair your positive attitude."

"Using percentages or ratios provides the court with a clear mental picture of what has been going on. Above all else display a great attitude consistently regardless of how the barristers may treat you."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

familycourtcoaching@gmail.com

Instagram: michael240656

HOST BIO

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.

This episode provides valuable insights on how to effectively answer difficult questions, particularly in a court setting. Michael emphasises the importance of being in a balanced state of mind, actively listening to questions, and taking the time to formulate thoughtful responses. Practical tips such as acknowledging errors, providing context for actions, and being honest when unsure are also discussed. Overall, the episode offers a comprehensive guide on handling difficult questions with composure and clarity, making it a valuable resource for anyone facing challenging questioning situations.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Practice being in a calm emotional state to maintain serenity and not let external actions affect you.

• Listen carefully to the entire question before answering, to ensure a proper response.

• Take your time when answering questions, think about your response, and speak only what you intend to say.

• Preparation and practice in answering questions from different angles are crucial for success.

• When faced with a question you don't know the answer to, it's better to admit it honestly rather than attempting to provide a false answer.

BEST MOMENTS

"Listening is a key skill in so many areas of your life. When your capacity to listen is impaired, of course you do not hear properly, or you mishear, misread or misinterpret whatever is being asked of you."

"Questions are difficult when they come from an angle you had not expected or highlight an area which is totally new to you or unfamiliar to you."

"It is better to take your time and answer the question properly than fail to answer it by answering it poorly and placing yourself in problems because you rushed in due to worrying about taking too long to respond."

"A tip in answering questions is to be like water. In other words, go with the flow. Unless you have a good or strong reason to challenge or deny any assertion, then make sure, if you do deny or disagree with what's being said, that you can back up your argument with supporting evidence."

"Never lie when answering questions. I hope you really enjoyed this episode and got a great deal out of it. Thank you very much for listening."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

familycourtcoaching@gmail.com

Instagram: michael240656

HOST BIO

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.

This episode delves into the impact of parents using their children as tools for control, punishment, and negotiation. The episode highlights how some parents, with unmet needs from their own upbringing, prioritise their own desires over their children's well-being. Through a detailed narrative, the episode explores a harrowing case where a child is subjected to emotional abuse and manipulation by one parent, leading to long-term emotional damage and the need for therapeutic support.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Children are highly dependent on parents and caregivers for various needs such as attention, affection, guidance, and security.

• Parents with unmet needs, due to their own upbringing, may struggle to provide adequate care for their children, leading to harmful behaviors.

• Using children as bargaining tools or weapons in conflicts between parents can have long-lasting negative effects on the child's emotional development.

• Court systems may not always fully grasp the impact of one parent's harmful actions on the child during private law proceedings.

• Children who are subjected to intentional conflict and abuse by one parent may require therapeutic support to address their unmet needs and emotional trauma.

BEST MOMENTS

• "Children are very vulnerable and highly dependent on parents and caregivers throughout the many years of their childhood."

• "Parents with unmet needs may, for example, have mental health difficulties, possibly because they were parented in an environment where they were never provided with the safety they needed to feel safe and protected."

• "Some parents compound their lack of insight by going further and putting conditions on the circumstances under which the child will see the other parent."

• "In choosing this course of action, no consideration was given to the damage the child was going to be subjected to, or the long-term impact that a child growing up in this type of environment was likely to experience."

• "Parents who use their children to negotiate more favourable deals for themselves, influence the actions of others, or as a means to inflict pain on others, are primarily focused on their own needs, and in the pursuit of doing so, cannot help but produce considerable harm that will likely rear itself in some stage in their child's future."

VALUABLE RESOURCES
familycourtcoaching@gmail.com
Instagram: michael240656

HOST BIO
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.