Course
Length: 2 days
Entry Requirements: None, this is practice specific
training
Course Content: This is a two day course which aims to
provide practitioners with the skills required to become expert witnesses. The
focus of the training is on providing written and oral evidence in legal
settings and quasi legal settings (including Parole Board Oral hearings and
Mental Health review Tribunals). The course assists practitioners to become
expert in the content and process of expert witness and trains delegates in the
legal requirements for providing defendable evidence. Delegates are taught the
correct procedure for giving defendable evidence and how they can prepare for
this.
There is focus on the questioning techniques used by Barristers (Steve
Gwenlan practices as a Barrister) and solicitors and effective methods of
responding.
Course Objectives: This is a two day course which aims to
provide practitioners with the skills required to become expert witnesses. The
focus of the training is on providing written and oral evidence in legal
settings and quasi legal settings (including Parole Board Oral hearings and
Mental Health review Tribunals). The course assists practitioners to become
expert in the content and process of expert witness and trains delegates in the
legal requirements for providing defendable evidence. Delegates are taught the
correct procedure for giving defendable evidence and how they can prepare for
this.
There is focus on the questioning techniques used by Barristers (Steve
Gwenlan practices as a Barrister) and solicitors and effective methods of
responding.
Course aimed at: The course is aimed at all professionals
who may be required to attend and provide evidence at Court (including Parole
Board or MHRT) as a professional or expert witnesses. The course is primarily
aimed towards those who work with forensic populations, (offenders or mentally
disordered offenders).
Programme Leader: Nic Bowes
Trainer Profiles: The course is run by Professor Jane
Ireland and Steve Gwenlan
Professor Jane Ireland: Is
a Forensic Psychologist and Chartered Psychologist with over 13 years experience
in the provision of psychological assessments. Professor Ireland is a
University accredited expert witness and represents on the Family Justice
Interdisciplinary Committee and Experts Subcommittee at the Royal Courts of
Justice. She is also Chair of the British Psychological Society Advisory
Committee on expert witness.
Steve Gwenlan: Steve is a
practicing Solicitor and has been a member of the Children Panel for the
Solicitor Regulation Authority in England and Wales for over 20 years. He has
been practicing law for 34 years and is experienced in cross examining expert
witnesses in a variety of Court settings, including Magistrates, County and the
High Courts. He has experience of criminal and civil cases and his specialism
is family and care proceedings and for over 20 years he has represented children
in this setting and also in more complex private civil cases involving
children.