Court etiquette??

Question

Can anybody who has been in court (not as the accused though) please advise me on court etiquette? I have to assist a solicitor in court as part of my work-experience and would appreciate a bit of advice from solicitors or barristers or even people who have assisted them in court before so that I don't look absolutely clueless when we start preparations for the trial. I would appreciate real advice and no comments from people just having a laugh please. Thanks

Answer 1

What part would you like to know? Also, it depends on the court, but these are the common ones to be aware of. If it is magistrates' court you will be with either a barrister or solicitor. If it is crown court, you will be with a barrister.

Firstly, make sure that you have read the papers, and use tags or postit notes so you know where everything is. DO NOT write on the papers! You do not know if they are the working copies, but tags and postits are always ok.

Secondly, because you are on work experience, do not attempt to advise the client. Simply sit and make notes.

Third: familiarise yourself with the court building, especially the general office as you may need to run off for photocopies, forms etc, during the hearing. You may also need to know where the cells are, and where to put out a tannoy if the client, barrister or witness goes missing.

Fourth: try to be at ease with the client. If you get nervous, so will they

Fifth: When the Judge enters the room or leaves, stand up and bow slightly. A slow nod of the head will do. Also, if you have to leave the room during the hearing, go to the door of the room, turn and bow again. Just nod slowly as this is what most do.

Six: When the hearing is on going, try to listen out for the client. Some of them like to write notes for you to pass to counsel. There is nothing illegal in this, and you can pass it on. As you are doing work experience, do not try to evaluate what the client has written. When it comes to passing it to the barrister, wait for an opportune moment to do so - this is a judgement call.

If it is a crown court, feel free to look at the jury. They won't find it intimidating, and all you are doing is gauging their reaction. The barrister will want to know.

Write clear notes, as counsel will need to review them towards the end of trial, or a solicitor will need to refer to them in correspondence and advice

Always note that barristers are frustrated actors and should be treated as so. Pander to their ego once in a while, and make sure that they pay for coffee and lunch.

Answer 2

You don't say what type of court, so I'll try to speak in general terms. When you enter and leave the courtroom (if the court is sitting, not otherwise) bow to the bench. Each time the judge/magistrate comes in or leaves, stand with everyone else and bow. (That bit's easy, as you copy everyone else). Try not to stroll around the court: if you are sent to fetch something or make a phone call, make for the nearest gangway, bow and leave discreetly, doing the same thing on your return. You can watch what other people do to get this right. Sit up straight and try to look interested, even if you're not. It might be a good idea to get hold of a notebook and take notes of things in relation to your solicitor's case: this will make you look as though you're efficient and have a businesslike approach. You might even be able to make a good impression by having noted something which had slipped his/her mind later on. Aim at being the solicitor's shadow and don't do anything to draw attention to yourself. That goes for clothes too: wear dark, discreet clothes, black being ideal. Whatever you do, don't wear jeans or any other casual garb. Skirts are good, suits are even better. Long sleeves.

Answer 3

All I can think of is that you should bow to the judge when you enter the lawyers bit of the chamber, that's if you're in a crown court. But as you are working with a solicitor, you are most likely to visit a magistrates' court and I don't know if you have to do that there.

What you can do to prepare is just observe. Sit in a trial in the public gallery. You can watch magistrates' and crown court trials. Watch what people do. You, in the public gallery, will not have to bow, of course, but stand when told to etc.

Answer 4

Ask him/her what they require you to do, all their files will probably all be in order with post its etc, before you get anywhere near them. Under no circumstances do you go looking for the cells yourself or use the tannoy etc, that is the ushers job! If papers are needed he/she will already have them, the court office is not there for solicitors incompetent enough not to have prepared adequately, if they need papers you'll most likely be going back to their office , having rung admin and told them what you'll be picking up! Unless they are acting as agent for CPS ie. prosecuting.

Don't put your hands in your pockets, dress moderately, magistrates and judges will not recognise inappropriately dressed solicitors/barristers etc.in other words they will behave like your just not there and ignore anything that may be said!

If in doubt ask the usher, you'll hear them tell you to stand anyway, quick nod to bench, some solicitors still choose to walk backwards towards the door - but that's not essential! as long as you acknowledge the bench on leaving and entering the courtroom.

Answer 5

As you're assisting a solicitor, I imagine it would be in a magistrates' court. Whoever you're assisting will tell you what he/she wants you to do, you wouldn't be expected on work-experience to do anything complicated or contentious. Probably it will be just looking after his files for him and handing him any he ask for. Most of the time you will just be sitting quietly and taking it all in - that's the experience you're there for.

As for etiquette, it's best to wear a dark suit if you can, in other words be businesslike in appearance. When the bench enters or leaves the room, stand up and it would probably be a good idea if you (like all the other "official" people in court) were to bow your head slightly. Just follow everyone's lead. Oh, and for heaven's sake, turn your mobile off!

If by any very long shot you have to speak to a magistrate (perhaps one of them will welcome you) officially they're addressed as "Your Worship", but none of them will mind in the slightest if you stand up and address them as "sir" or "ma'am".

The main thing is, everyone in court is a human being just like you and everyone will understand your position - you don't need to be a Rumpole of the Bailey.

Answer 6

You will not be required to speak. Take notes and shut up, The solicitor will tell you exactly what is required of you. Just do it.
A District Judge is called Sir or Ma'am (Marm)

Answer 7

I heard of one solicitor who was so nervous on his first day that his hand was shaking as he spoke, so he put it in his pocket. The magistrate then said "Mr (won't put the name), please take your hand out of your pocket when you are talking to me". I'm afraid that's about all I know mind... presumably you know to address a judge as 'Your Honour'?

Answer 8

Elevation of Motivational Terminology, my sweet. You think them idjuts spend hundreds of thousands of dollars "learning" how to stay up on the sidewalk so they can slum-it down in the gutter?

Answer 9

I feel that skirts tend to either look kind of trashy or cheap if they are tight and short, or they are simply just the run of the mill jean skirts that aren't necessarily sexy.

Answer 10

Try maxi dresses with the relative area slits those will look great on you! It doesn't matter if you have long legs or not merely strut that skirt