Speakers
John Cock
Architect
Architect, Chartered Arbitrator, Accredited Mediator, Accredited Adjudicator and Accredited Expert Determiner
Kay Chan
Barrister
Speaker Details
John Cock
Architect
Architect, Chartered Arbitrator, Accredited Mediator, Accredited Adjudicator and Accredited Expert Determiner
John Cock is an architect, designer and project manager, with over 40 years’ experience across Asia and Australia. He advises employers, consultants, contractors and their legal advisers in expert evidence in arbitration and court proceedings in matters relating to building defects, design and architectural professional practice and project delivery.
A Chartered Arbitrator, Accredited Mediator, Accredited Adjudicator and Accredited Expert Determiner, he also acts as a third party resolver of commercial and construction disputes.
Speaker Details
Kay Chan
Barrister
Kay graduated from City University of Hong Kong School of Law and was on the Dean’s List. Shortlisted as a one of the finalists for the IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award in 2018, Kay was later elected as a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers in 2020.
Kay is a Collaborative Professional and conducts mediation as mediator and counsel. Having built a very balanced practice in both Civil and Criminal law, Kay specialises in handling complex multidisciplinary cases often involving cross-border commercial and family relationships.
Kay frequently provides advocacy training as a trainer of the Hong Kong Advocacy Training Council and teaches part-time as a part-time lecturer at The University of Hong Kong. Kay has also delivered different types of training courses to different government departments and non-governmental organisations.
Where
Event Type
Giving evidence can be one of the most demanding parts of an Expert Witness’s role. Even experienced professionals can find the courtroom, tribunal room or arbitration hearing unfamiliar and pressured, particularly when their opinion is being tested under cross-examination.
This practical course is designed to help Experts understand what to expect, how to prepare properly and how to approach the process with confidence. It focuses on the realities of giving evidence, helping participants develop the clarity, discipline and composure needed when appearing as an Expert Witness.
The course is suitable both for Experts who are new to giving evidence and for experienced Experts who want to refresh their skills. Many participants attend more than once, using the course as preparation before appearing in the witness box.
Delivered by practising Experts and lawyers, many of whom work in Hong Kong, the course combines established Expert Witness principles with practical experience of how Expert evidence is tested in litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution across the region.
Who should attend?
This course is suitable for:
- Expert Witnesses who are due to give evidence in court, arbitration or other proceedings
- Professionals who may be asked to give Expert evidence in future
- Practising Experts who want to refresh their courtroom skills
- Experts who have prepared reports but have limited experience of cross-examination
- Senior professionals involved in litigation, arbitration, adjudication or other dispute processes
- Experts who want to build confidence before appearing in the witness box
What the course covers
The course covers the practical skills and preparation needed when giving Expert evidence, including:
- How and when to prepare for court
- Giving evidence clearly and confidently
- The Expert’s role, duties and potential conflicts
- Making the best of difficult situations
- Lawyers’ techniques and how to handle them
- Introducing yourself and your expertise
- Surviving cross-examination
- Practical exercises and feedback
Practical cross-examination exercise
A key part of the course is the opportunity to be cross-examined by a practising barrister in a safe and supportive environment.
Participants receive feedback on their performance and have the opportunity to learn from the experience before giving evidence for real. The practical sessions are designed to help Experts understand how evidence is tested, how to stay focused under pressure and how to give clear, independent and useful answers.
What you will gain
By the end of the course, participants should have a clearer understanding of:
- How to prepare effectively before giving evidence
- What to expect in the witness box
- How to present their expertise clearly and appropriately
- How to deal with difficult questions and cross-examination techniques
- How to remain independent, calm and professional under pressure
- The common pitfalls Experts should avoid when giving evidence
Many Experts attend this course more than once, using it as a refresher or as preparation before appearing in the witness box. Whether you are giving evidence for the first time or want to sharpen your skills, this course will help you approach the process with greater confidence and control.
Participants attending will be asked to supply a copy of a short report (from a case which is no longer live) or case study which they have written. This need not be an actual report but can be prepared for the course – it should contain enough detail for cross-examination.
