Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD hour in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Professional Skills
Using Experts in Court
- How to effectively utilise expert evidence in trial preparation and advocacy
- Strategic selection of expert witnesses for trial: specialised knowledge relevant to the case, ability to communicate effectively under pressure, and how that supports arguments being presented
- Preparing for trial and their role in relation to the trial narrative
- Utilising expert evidence in trial strategy: examine how to integrate expert evidence into trial strategy, including the timing of their testimony, linking their evidence to key points in the case, and using expert reports
- Methods for making complex expert concepts accessible and persuasive to a jury
- Cross-examination of experts
- Common pitfalls to avoid, how to prepare experts for tough questioning, and strategies for reinforcing their credibility while effectively countering opposing counsel's tactics
Presented by Helen Prince, Barrister, Equus Chambers
Chair
Rebekah Sleeth, Barrister and Solicitor, Podmore Legal
Presenters
Helen Prince, Barrister, Equus Chambers
Helen Prince wasn’t always a barrister. She started life as a youth worker in the northern suburbs working with “at risk youth”. Primarily Indigenous young people. As a youth worker, Helen spent a lot of her time at the Childrens Court and Magistrates Court assisting clients and working with lawyers. Helen has more than 30 years’ experience in practice including 25 years’ experience at the bar practising primarily as a criminal defence barrister. She regularly represents accused in the Supreme Court, District Court and Magistrates Court. She has appeared in many complex and lengthy trials. She also appears before the Court of Appeal. She is a founding member of Equus Chambers. Helen’s interest in evidence, including expert evidence and DNA, has seen her teaching evidence and advocacy at Murdoch University.
Rebekah Sleeth, Barrister and Solicitor, Podmore Legal
Rebekah Sleeth commenced her legal career as a commercial litigation solicitor and then as a civil solicitor at the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia. Rebekah joined the Victorian Bar in 2006. Rebekah was a Senior Public Defender for Victoria Legal Aid between 2014 and 2018. Rebekah primarily practised in criminal and family law at the Victorian Bar. Rebekah remained at the Victorian Bar until 2018, before relocating to Perth, where her husband is from. Rebekah was then employed by the ODPP as a State Prosecutor for 2.5 years before joining the Western Australian Bar.
