BEHAVIOUR IN THE COURTROOM – IT GOES FURTHER THAN YOU THINK: SOME CASES AND SOME GUIDANCE
The vast majority of studies on behaviour in the courtroom concentrate on the interaction between the judge, the advocates and the witnesses. However the courtroom is a big place. Twice in recent weeks we have seen judges refer to the behaviour of parties outside the witness box. It is worthwhile for every litigator to remember that the judge can see the whole room all of the time. Behaviour in the court room itself can influence the eventual result of a trial or hearing.
THE EXASPERATING EXPERT IN THE COURT ROOM
In Hatfield -v- Drax Power Ltd (18/08/2017)* Her Honour Judge Belcher made comments in relation to an expert’s behaviour in the court room itself. After observing that the expert displayed “breach taking arrogance”, she noted that this did not stop once the witness had ceased giving evidence.
“That arrogance came over in the witness He plainly felt he was right and everyone else was wrong. Indeed, I made a comment to that effect during the course of his evidence. Furthermore, after he had completed his evidence, he sat in the well of the court shaking his head from side to side, evidencing his disagreement, and, judging by his face, his disgust, with the evidence being given by Mr Mutch, the first of the Defendant experts to be called. I made it clear to Professor Vantsevich that that behaviour was unacceptable and whilst, on the whole, he managed to contain himself, I did catch him on further occasions shaking his head at the evidence given. That conduct is wholly discreditable to an expert witness in our courts. I have never seen it before, even in cases where experts are poles apart in their opinions.”
LOOKING AT A WITNESS IN THE COURT ROOM ITSELF
In Miley v Friends Life Ltd [2017] EWHC 2415 (QB) the issue of the claimant’s credibility was central to the case.
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“Judges should exercise some caution when seeking to determine the credibility of a witness wholly or mainly on the basis of an assessment of his or her demeanour. Generally speaking, other methods of appraisal, where available, may well tend to be more reliable. Bearing this in mind, however, I am of the view, in this particular case that it was advantageous for me to be able to observe the claimant not only when giving evidence but also when he was sitting in the well of the court watching proceedings.
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There were times when he appeared to lose concentration and hold his head in his hands. At other times he was more attentive. His period of inattention did not, however, seem to correspond to particular longueurs in the evidence and this pattern was sustained over the successive days over which the trial took place. I witnessed nothing in his presentation which appeared to contradict his evidence or that of his witnesses concerning the impact which his illness had had on him. Indeed, I would go further and conclude that his behaviour and appearance in court provided at least some level of support for his case.”
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BE AWARE – WHAT GOES ON IN THE WHOLE COURT ROOM IS IMPORTANT
All of those present, including the lawyers, should be aware that judicial assessment does not always concentrate solely on the advocates and the witness box. Wiki How offers some basic guidance on Behaving in Court
“Wait quietly during the hearing until you are directed to speak. Do not have any side conversations or let your attention wander. [7]
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Sit up straight and pay attention to the proceedings.
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You won’t know what is going on if you aren’t paying attention.
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Don’t chew gum, drink, or eat during the hearing.
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Turn off your cell phone during the proceedings. Most courts have a ban on cell phone use.
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It is incredibly important that you remain as quiet as possible during the proceedings as most court hearings are electronically recorded.”
BODY LANGUAGE
The Wiki How guide gives advice as to body language
“Be aware of your body language during the hearing. You don’t want to appear disrespectful during the hearing.[8]
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Don’t roll your eyes or frown in response to others during the hearing.
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Don’t move your hands and feet during the proceedings. Resist the urge to fidget in your seat.
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Maintain your attention to the proceedings. Make eye contact with those who are speaking to show you are listening.”
GUIDANCE FROM MARYLAND
I also recommend reading Tips on How to Behave in Court from The People’s Law Library of Maryland.
“While you are waiting in the back of the Court Room
- Do appear to be paying attention. It is helpful to actually listen and learn about the process (and the judge) before your case.
- Do try to appear pleasant and interested in the proceedings.
- Do be polite to courtroom staff – the clerk, the bailiff or others. They work with the judge and will report poor behavior.
- Don’t read the newspaper, listen to your iPod, work on your laptop, chew gum, use your cell phone or talk to other people while waiting in the back of the courtroom.
- Don’t make faces or roll your eyes or otherwise show negative reactions to something happening in the court.
- Don’t ignore or treat non-judge members of the court staff poorly. They are part of the justice system that will decide your case.
- Don’t act angry or short-tempered with the judge or other side, even if you are upset by your case.”
REMEMBER YOU ARE BEING WATCHED AND ASSESSED
The article by Laurel Dietz Reasonable Doubt: Credibility in court and your behaviour should also be compulsory reading.
“Avoiding erratic or inappropriate behaviour/facial expressions in court
When you’re in a trial, you’re going to be sitting through the opposing party’s case. This means you will be listening to evidence that you believe is not true or is offensive to you. Often the other party’s evidence will cut you to your core and it will be very hard to hear.
The minute you start making facial expressions, sighing, standing up and shouting at the judge or witness, or storming out of the courtroom, you are giving a negative context to the judge in which to assess your evidence. Nobody likes this behaviour during a trial and it will be used against you.
A good rule of thumb is to keep in mind that anytime you enter a courtroom, you are being watched and assessed. Behave in a way that is consistent with the evidence you want to give the court.”
DON’T TRY TO ARREST THE JUDGE
In The Amazing and the Downright Absurd Behaviours Seen in the Courtroom! Quinn & Scattini Lawyers give some examples of bizarre behaviour.
“Just three days ago I was waiting for my matter to get on in the Cleveland Magistrates Court before a magistrate. Two random people waiting in court stood up, referred to the Magna Carta, tried to dismiss their own friend’s charges and then attempted to arrest the Magistrate for “impersonating a public servant” before they themselves were arrested in the Courtroom.”
Must have been forty years ago when I made my first appearance in court as an expert witness. It was a winter`s day with the first snows of winter on the ground in Scotland. With my client`s we were shown into a high ceilinged large room resembling a library to wait for our legal team. It was rather chilly in the room. I then saw a diminutive figure, dressed in some strange garb enter the room from a door from the far end, heading for another door in the opposite corner. I hailed to him and he stopped and came over. I told him we were cold and would he mind to turn the heat up a touch please. He said he would see to it and went on his way.
Subsequently we were called in to court and stood when the judge walked in. When I saw who it was, I was horror stricken, it was that diminutive man who I thought was the janitor. The trial started and I was called into the witness box. When I was introduced the judge raised his eyes from behind his pince nez specs and said, yes we have met, I trust it is now warm enough for him here, if not I am sure we can turn the heat up for him “.
No amount of heat would have been sufficient for those chilling few words.