Cross examination skills

Module 1 : DL10 - Cross examination skills

The purpose of cross-examination is to extract information which is useful to your case and attempt to destroy the testimony and/or the credibility of the opponent’s witnesses.

This one-day online workshop will equip the delegates with skills and techniques to cross-examine witnesses. This workshop should be attended by chairpersons, complainants, managers, HR and ER managers and practitioners, legal advisers, shop stewards, and union representatives.

Module 1 Session 1:

• Conceptualising Cross Examination
  • Different types of Processes
  • The purpose of cross-examination
• Preparing for cross-examination
  • Get to know all the facts
  • Cross check versions
  • Look at all documents
  • Anticipate key points of other parties’ case - have a plan
  • Decide on a style or approach for each witness
  • Decide how to open cross-examination
• Assessing the Credibility of a Witness

Module 1 Session 2:

• General questioning techniques
  • Range of questioning
  • Open and leading questions
  • Length of questions
  • Aggression
  • The build-up in questioning
  • Applying questioning techniques
• Assessing credibility
  • Demeanour
  • Corroboration
  • Consistency
  • Probability
  • Reliability

Module 1 Session 3:

• Case study