05/10/2023
Here are some courtroom etiquettes for your next court appearance:
- When the judge enters or leaves the Courtroom, or when the Judge is speaking strictly to you, you must stand. This is a sign of courtesy and respect to the Court.
- Be polite and courteous at all times, even when others may not necessarily be extending you the same courtesy.
- Listen carefully and think about your answers before you give them.
- Speak calmly and clearly as your testimony is being recorded.
- Answer the questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. Do not memorize your answers in advance, as you want to make a sincere impression.
- Confine your answers to facts only. You are not an expert and as such, you are not giving opinion or expert evidence.
- Do not speculate, conjecture or offer opinions.
- Do not answer the question until the counsel or self-represented litigant has finished his or her question.
- Only answer the question that is asked of you. Do not ramble on or volunteer information.
- Do not guess. You can say “I don't know” or “I don't recall”.
- If your answers are based on information obtained by others, say so and identify the source of the information.
- Similarly, when referring to documents, identify the document. If you’re asked to comment on a document or video, you will be shown the document or video. If it is already marked as an Exhibit, say the “Exhibit No.” out loud, otherwise, refer to the document by the document type and date.
- The courts will be interested in the particulars of the document, including what type of document, its purpose, who created, why created, date, time, and the contents. The court will be interested in whether you generated the documents, or a portion thereof. If there are any objections with respect to you referring to documents, listen to the direction of the Judge.
- If, at any time, you realize you have made an error in one of your answers, correct yourself at the earliest opportunity.
