Litigation Series: The Skilled Litigator’s Guide: Pre-Trial Evidence Preparation
Get practical tips and insights on Pre-Trial Evidence Preparation from Barrister Lachlan Menzies. Learn how to draft affidavits, compile witness bundles, fact-check recollection and anticipate objections all while following court rules and writing and style guidelines. See how it all comes together with samples from real affidavits. WEB235N03BZ
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair: Lisa Gooneratne, Special Counsel, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Pre-Trial Evidence Preparation
- Practical tips based on personal experience in drafting affidavits, as a solicitor at mid-tier and at top-tier firms, and ongoing as a barrister
- Using the forms for affidavits under the rules of court
- Preparing pre-trial by compiling a witness bundle
- Knowing the documents better than your witness, to help fact-check their recollection
- Writing and style rules
- Anticipating and avoiding typical objections
- Samples from affidavits – how it looks in practice
Presented by Lachlan Menzies, Barrister, Eight Wentworth Chambers
Presenters
Lisa Gooneratne
Lisa has extensive experience in personal injury insurance law, in a variety of areas. Lisa acts for both private insurers and Government agencies, in the areas of public liability, workers compensation, medical negligence, coronial inquests, medical disciplinary matters and motor vehicle accidents. Lisa also acts for a self-insurers, including a national airline and national banks, in relation to personal injury claims. Lisa is actively involved in the ACT legal community, being a former chair of the Young Lawyers Committee and currently a Commissioner and Board member of the ACT Legal Aid Commission.
Lachlan Menzies
Lachlan Menzies is a commercial litigator with more than 20 years’ experience. His practice combines large matters in collaboration with Senior Counsel, and a full range of matters unled. As well as litigation, he is briefed for transactional advice and drafting including direct briefs from in-house counsel. A strong position, control, and success in Court are built on precision in pleadings, affidavits, written submissions and associated legal research. Close cooperation with instructing lawyers and a positive client connection are maintained through practical advice, and meetings and calls in conference. Lachlan is adept at Information Technology in legal practice and holds a degree in computer science. Lachlan mainly practises in State and Federal jurisdictions in New South Wales, and also acts in trials and on appeal in the Supreme Court of Victoria. Lachlan is a lecturer in the Master of Applied Law courses at the College of Law, appointed in 2009.