Choosing your expert is a major decision in any trial.

Knowing how to review an expert's credentials, determining the proper mandate to give, seeking qualification of the witness as an expert, preparation for the courtroom, establishing the expert's role at trial, are all issues which all trial lawyers need to master.

Facing your opponent's expert is then the next task for which litigation lawyers need to prepare. This course is designed to assist you in meeting these challenges.

• Participants will need to develop their case theory (in preparation for the course). Each participant will receive a case file consisting of all procedures pertaining to the case under review, summaries or transcripts of discoveries and expert reports. Participants must familiarize themselves fully with the case assigned to them before the course begins
• Choosing an expert, preparation of the Expert report and reviewing the Expert's C.V.
• Voir-Dire of Expert Witness regarding qualifications and tendering witness as an Expert and Cross–examination of Expert Witness regarding his/her qualifications and limiting the scope of the witness's field of expertise
• Direct Examination, using the report, using literature, showcasing your Expert
• Cross-Examination: Challenging the foundations of the opinion, challenging the methodology of the expert, using weaknesses in the report or opinion, using literature on which the opinion is based - a potentially dangerous exercise
• Rehabilitation of the expert on re-direct - Yes or no and rules to follow
• Each performance will be recorded allowing each participant to analyze his or her own performance with the guidance of the instructor.
• Feedback is provided tactfully and respectfully on each performance, taking into account the participant's level of experience and expertise. Participants will be required to wear their gowns.

• Courses are available in English and French
• Experts in all fields are welcome! Participation in this course is also available for Expert Witnesses who wish to better understand their role in the context of a trial and what is expected of them by legal counsel

• The case file which is used for this program is the same case file which is used for the 2 and 3 day Basic program. Completion of a basic program (Basic program: preparation, techniques and simulation (2 days) or Basic program: preparation, techniques and simulation (3 days)) is recommended prior to taking this course.

Advocacy skills workshops - Direct examination skills "clinic" >>