Key Learning Points

• The role of Cat 1 and Cat 2 responders as witnesses in the adversarial and inquisitorial systems 
• The importance of contemporaneous records and statements 
• The procedures, order of events and roles of those in public inquiries and courts 
• Techniques lawyers use in questioning and how to handle them 
• How to give clear, honest and objective evidence 
• How to make appropriate use of supporting evidence, documents and notes when giving evidence 
• How to give confident and clear testimony under difficult questioning 
• How to prepare for giving evidence 

Emergencies on Trial - Overview

Incidents can lead to inquests, inquiries, criminal prosecutions and/or civil proceedings. Emergency-planning personnel and other responders are at risk of being called to account in the witness box.

Questions may be asked of their experience, training, records, notes and the procedures followed by them and their organisation before, during and after an incident. Interested parties may have a litigious agenda.

The Emergencies on Trial training course is invaluable in helping you review emergency plans, preparedness, response and recovery. It’ll also enable you to see how information you collect as evidence can be challenged. 

You’ll cover the procedures involved in giving evidence, the order of events and the roles of different people in both public inquiries and courts. You’ll also explore the techniques lawyers use in cross-examination and how to deal with them.

The Emergencies on Trial training can be based on a case study or tailored around a past incident or documentation produced from a tabletop or live exercise.