Silence is golden

We have trained more than 40,000 witnesses in how to give effective oral evidence under hostile cross-examination.

They confirm the Home Office research finding that the most common reason for witness dissatisfaction with the courts is 'a lawyer being intimidating or rude' (see [2001] Gazette, 20 April, 5).We make it easier for the witnesses by telling them to speak only to the decision maker(s) and not to try and persuade the questioning lawyer, who is of course unpersuadable.

This advice often makes the lawyer more rude, but less intimidating.Mark Solon, Bond Solon, London EC1