Become a Confident Witness

Online self-paced lay witness training

Knowledge, understanding and confidence: Everything a lay witness
needs to effectively deliver their own evidence under cross examination.

Trusted by law firms, witnesses and experts throughout Australia and globally

Factual witness
training outcomes

Understand the court and trial process

Understand the role of a lay witness

Develop knowledge of the expectations of lay witnesses giving evidence

Develop knowledge of the characteristics of a good factual witness

Achieve recognition and awareness of common cross examination techniques

used by barristers against witnesses

Develop and implement strategies to effectively respond to such techniques

See the practical application and implementation of these during mock cross
examinations

What does the course cover?

This lay witness training course is broken down into a series of 10 short modules each covering
a series of topics relevant to lay witnesses when being cross examined in court.

1 – Introduction to the witness familiarisation course

4 min

2 – An overview of the trial process and what to expect

4 min

3 – How to give clear and confident evidence in court

4 min

3 – How to give clear and confident evidence in court

4 min

Sign Up for Full Demonstrations 
and Key Expert Guidance

Understand real strategies used in court and how to stay composed under pressure. Learn by example and gain clarity on what to expect.

4 – Strategies for handling cross-examination with confidence

4 min

4 – Strategies for handling cross-examination with confidence

4 min

4 – Strategies for handling cross-examination with confidence

4 min

4 – Strategies for handling cross-examination with confidence

4 min

4 – Strategies for handling cross-examination with confidence

4 min

4 – Strategies for handling cross-examination with confidence

4 min

Bonus support
and materials

  • Ongoing support for any queries you might have
  • Discounts on live, in-person and in-house training offerings, and bespoke tailored offerings where appropriate.
  • Access to our detailed scenario training materials

Note this factual witness training does not cover the specific details of your legal claim nor the details of your evidence. We are legally and ethically prohibited from discussing this with you – that is for your legal team and we do not and cannot give legal advice.

Who will benefit from this lay witness training?

This fact witness training is designed for anyone who may need to give evidence in court — whether soon or someday.
It's practical, scenario-based, and focused on building real confidence through understanding and preparation.

01

Parties to a proceeding who are to be called to giveevidence in court

02

Individual factual witnesses subpoenaed to appear to give evidence in court

03

Any one who is interested in learning more about the court and evidential processes

04

Law firms, barristers, counsel, attorneys and legal teams who have an upcoming trial with witnesses they need to prepare

05

Companies or other organisations whose staff will be giving evidence (or likely to be giving evidence) at an upcoming hearing

What our clients
say about us

Factual witness training pricing

$ 585

7-day 100% money back guarantee

  • Understand the court and trial process
  • Understand the role of a lay witness
  • Develop knowledge of the expectations of lay witnesses giving evidence and testimony
  • Develop knowledge of the characteristics of a good factual witness
  • Achieve recognition and awareness of common cross examination techniques used by barristers against witnesses
  • Develop and implement strategies to effectively respond to such techniques
    to give your testimony
  • See the practical application and implementation of these during mock cross examinations

Our Guarantee

We stand by our witness courses and can be sure of client satisfaction. All of our online courses come with our 7-day 100% money back guarantee – no questions asked. Preview before you commit – free course samples are available via the links below.

Our Instructors

Hugh Stowe

Barrister, 5 Wentworth Chambers, Sydney

Hugh is a very experienced practising NSW barrister, having been called to the Bar in 2000. He has a wide ranging commercial and equity practice, appearing mostly in the NSW Supreme Court and Federal Court, doing trial and appellate work. Prior to being called to the bar, Hugh practised as a solicitor at two leading Australian firms (now King & Wood Mallesons and Herbert Smith Freehills), and was also associate to the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia.

Hugh has a particular academic and practical interest in the preparation, delivery and understanding of witness evidence and has published numerous articles on this. He is also a qualified mediator.

Hugh regularly cross examines both expert and factual witnesses in various proceedings across numerous jurisdictions throughout Australia and is an advocacy instructor who teaches junior barristers how to cross examine witnesses.

Maya Rozner

Barrister, Dever’s List, Melbourne

Maya has over 25 years’ experience at the commercial bar appearing in applications, directions and trials in jurisdictions from VCAT to the Supreme Court of Appeal. She enjoys a broad based commercial practice including contract disputes, equities, trusts, partnerships, mortgages and other securities as well as property disputes, building and construction. Maya also has a specialised practice in Wills and Estates disputes.

Hugh has a particular academic and practical interest in the preparation, delivery and understanding of witness evidence and has published numerous articles on this. He is also a qualified mediator.

Hugh regularly cross examines both expert and factual witnesses in various proceedings across numerous jurisdictions throughout Australia and is an advocacy instructor who teaches junior barristers how to cross examine witnesses.

What is Loquitur’s mission?

Loquitur is committed to equipping all witnesses with the confidence, knowledge and skills to handle all aspects of the evidential process.

Our mission is to deliver specialised witness training and support across Australia and internationally, enabling witnesses to present articulate, persuasive, effective, and compelling testimony in all legal settings, such as courts, tribunals, inquiries, and arbitrations.

Self Paced Online Courses

Develop the essential skills, knowledge and confidence to present your evidence effectively. Specially designed courses empower both expert witnesses and lay witnesses to excel in their crucial role in the legal process with clarity and credibility

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Witness Familiarisation

Prepare thoroughly for cross-examination with these live witness preparation courses specifically designed for both lay and expert witnesses, enhancing your ability to present evidence clearly and confidently in upcoming proceedings. Available live in person and live via video-call.

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Expert Witness Training

Live, bespoke and in-house training options for groups of experts and companies/organisations. Engage in tailored expert witness training to refine your employee’s skills across all aspects of the evidential process. These programs ensure expert witnesses are best placed to provide evidence, to the credit of themselves, and their organisations or employers.

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Witness Skills

Specifically designed for public servants, health professionals, local councils and emergency services personnel. This live and bespoke in house witness preparation training enhances your employee’s ability to give, collect, and prepare evidence, ensuring effectiveness in all legal contexts - including courts, subpoenas, and tribunals.

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Free Learning

Loquitur offers a free CPD training video for expert witnesses, focusing on cross-examination skills. This witness training video provides practical insights and techniques to help you deliver your testimony confidently and effectively under cross-examination. This CPD also considers ethical considerations for experts and their legal teams in expert witness preparation.

Enroll now

Frequently Asked
Questions

What is the total course duration?
The course consists of 10 comprehensive modules, amounting to approximately 3 hours of direct teaching time. In addition, participants should allocate around 2 hours for lay witness training coursework and preparation, making the total estimated commitment 5 hours.
Yes, absolutely. Once enrolled, you can re-watch and review any part of the course or specific modules as often as you need during your access period.
 
You will have full access to the course for 6 months from the date of purchase. This allows ample time to revisit the material and reinforce your learning.
The course is priced at $585 plus GST. This fee covers all course materials and resources provided during your access period.
It is recommended that you complete the lay witness training course approximately two months before the trial in which you are scheduled to give evidence. This timing ensures that the skills and knowledge gained are fresh and directly applicable to your upcoming testimony.

Yes, it is. While we obviously focus on the Australian legal system, the fundamentals of evidence and cross examination are similar across many jurisdictions, including in particular other common law jurisdictions such as the US, England and Wales / UK, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as international arbitrations. Witnesses from those jurisdictions will still get great benefit from undertaking the factual witness training course.

Yes, Loquitur is fully independent of any underlying proceedings which a witness may be engaged in
Our materials were prepared by a select group of practising solicitors and barristers (counsel), many of whom actually teach junior barristers advocacy and cross examination. The lay witness training course itself is also presented by a practising barrister.

This is subject to local Rules and the Court, although arguably yes as such preparation is recoverable given that it is necessary and proper for the conduct of the litigation. Furthermore, similar courses in other common law jurisdictions (e.g. England and Wales) are also recoverable.

Yes. Of course. All our materials have been prepared wholly independent of the facts and matters of the proceedings, and Loquitur itself is also fully independent of any legal proceeding. Additionally, all courses are given by experienced barristers who are fully aware of the jurisdictional and ethical requirements and are bound by them.
This course is aimed at lay witnesses. We have a separate series of online courses for expert witnesses.
The aim of this lay witness training course is for lay witnesses to develop the skills and understanding necessary to effectively and confidently deliver their own evidence under cross examination.
No. Factual witness training courses cannot, and does not, seek to replace detailed witness preparation and proofing by the witness’ legal team. These courses are designed to complement the legal team’s preparation by providing an additional practical training and education which legal teams are often unable to provide for both ethical and practical reasons.
No – we do not know and cannot know your specific circumstances nor the details or issues in any litigation you are involved in. This is the sole remit of your legal team who will advise you on this.
Yes, we offer discounted pricing for group enrollments. Please contact us directly to discuss the options available.
Yes, we provide corporate and law firm access packages tailored to your needs. Please get in touch with us to discuss how we can accommodate your organisation.
Simple. If after you have signed up you are not 100% satisfied with the factual witness training course, let us know within 7 days and we will give you your money back, no questions asked!
Yes, of course. See the videos above for free extracts of the actual factual witness training.
Lay witness training courses are designed to assist legal teams in their trial preparation process. They are a comprehensive, turn-key solution which allows witnesses to undergo a series of detailed and rigorous simulated training (such as report writing or cross examination) without the risk (either real or perceived) of witness coaching. It also saves time in the trial preparation process, allowing the legal team to focus on the specific legal and procedural issues arising. In this manner factual witness training courses seek to complement, rather than replace, the process of witness proofing by the witness’ legal team.

Contact Us

Interested to see how we could help? Contact us using the form below. We will get back to you within 24 hours.

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Confident about cross examination?
Are you ready to be cross examined? Find out if you really know and understand what the cross examination process involves and what to expect when giving your evidence in court.
Which of the following is NOT a purpose of cross examination?
Which of the following is NOT a purpose of cross examination?