How to draft effective affidavits and witness statements
Date & time: 17 September 2024, 1.30pm to 5.00pm AEST
Looking to build a solid foundation of your litigation skill? This half-day webinar will teach you to prepare concise and persuasive affidavits and witness statements.
Understand the fundamentals of:
- Taking a witness statement/affidavit
- Substance of an affidavit
- Basic evidentiary issues
- Form and presentation
- Drafting skills
- Procedural requirements; and
- How to use an affidavit in a variety of legal circumstances
Facilitated by:
Paul Venus, Partner in the Dispute Resolution and Litigation Group.
Feedback from past attendees:
- “The presenter was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. Presented in a clear and effective manner. Provided excellent materials and resources.”
- “Paul was very enthusiastic about his area of expertise and was easy to listen to.”
- “Excellent by both presenter & service by the College of Law.”
- “Fantastic and excellent. Very engaging speaker – great anecdotes. Was open to discussion throughout the session.”
At the end of this live streamed program, you will earn 3 CPD points.
Course Outline
1.30pm: Login and welcome
Presented by: Paul Venus
1.35pm: Steps in taking a witness statement/affidavit
- Preparation and planning the contents
- Interviewing the witness
- Use of IT solutions – the future of giving evidence and false testimony
2.50pm: Stretch break
3.00pm: How to develop the correct presentation
- Detailed checklists of what to include
- Headings and prescribed forms
- Different requirements in State and Federal court
- Alterations, signing clauses, annexures
3.30pm: Drafting issues
- Learn the style and content for different types of documents and their purpose
- Form and presentation
4.00pm: Stretch break
4.10pm: Taking an affidavit and procedural issues
- Blind or unable to read
- Language difficulties
- Procedure
4.30pm: How to use an affidavit
- Inclusion of evidence
- Cross-examination
- Use in interlocutory proceedings
- Using statements and affidavits to draft pleadings
5.00pm: Q&A and Close
This live webinar is ideal for new practitioners in the legal profession as well as lawyers looking to refine their litigation/advocacy skills and techniques.
This webinar is produced in NSW and features a QLD-based practitioner. The webinar is available to practitioners from all Australian jurisdictions
AEST: Australian Eastern Standard Time
If you intend to claim CPD units for this educational activity, please note that CPD activities are not accredited by the Law Society of NSW or any other equivalent local authority, with the exception of Western Australia. If you hold a practising certificate in a state or territory other than Western Australia and this educational activity extends your knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to your practice needs or professional development, then you should claim one (1) "unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. The annual requirement is ten (10) CPD units each year from 1 April to 31 March. Some practitioners, such as accredited specialists are required to complete more than ten (10) units each CPD year.
Practitioners holding WA practising certificates are eligible to earn CPD points for this course. For instructions to earn CPD points, please click here.
Professional Skills - 3 points
Paul Venus
Paul is a Partner at a national law firm in the firm’s Dispute Resolution and Litigation group and has over 25 years of experience in complex litigation, intellectual property, information technology law, commercial law and competition law issues.
Paul’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation, principally in trade practices law, product liability law, information technology law, franchising law, and patent and trademark litigation. He is also an accredited specialist in commercial litigation with the QLS.
Please be aware that this webinar organised by the College of Law for use on our website, marketing materials and publications. By attending and participating in a College of Law Continuing Professional Development course, you consent to the College of Law photographing or recording and using your image and likeness and/or voice.