Pab Chetty, a litigation lawyer from Lloydminster, Saskat-che- wan, offers the following suggestions for when you are on the stand: • Never exaggerate, or misrepresent your qualifications. • Never testify beyond the limit of your qualifications, expertise and competency. Limit all testimony to matters within the scope of your profession. Opposing counsel will encourage you go beyond your expertise, and will, at times, badger you, pump for inconsistent testimony, and then shoot you down for it. • Listen carefully to the entire question before answer- ing. Be absolutely positive that you understand the question. Many lawyers will purposely ask misleading and ambiguous questions for sole purpose of minimizing your testimony. Others mumble. • Never guess at the answer. If you don’t know, you don’t know. • Do not be in a hurry to answer. Give your lawyer a chance to object. • Answer all questions as briefl y as possible. • Render your opinions and conclusions strictly in accordance with the facts and only to the extent supported by the evidence. Do not embellish. Call them as they are. • Do not tailor your answers to fi t what you think the lawyer wants. If you do this, you will destroy your credibility • Never volunteer information. Limit your answers to the questions asked, • Maintain an attitude of independence and impartiality. This is in order to ensure an unbiased analysis of the evidence. • Do not strive to impress. Never try to dazzle counsel or the judge with your brilliance, or baffl e them with camel dung. • Never try to direct the case for the lawyer: That’s his/ her job. • Do not argue with opposing counsel. Refrain from being combative, or arrogant. If anything, be timid. If you think op- posing counsel is an idiot who only asks stupid questions – and you could be right – don’t let it show. • Appear credible and knowledgeable. Appear sincere. Be sincere. • Always assume that opposing counsel is well prepared. Assume that opposing counsel has done his/her homework. offi ce based rasterstereography imaging solution you become an amicus curiae – a friend of the court – for an am- icus curiae does not get paid, which is not your intention. MAKE SURE YOU DO GET PAID According to the Expert Witness Article Library, medical doctors charge the highest rates, with most around $370 per hour, 25 per cent charging $500 per hour, and two per cent, $600 per hour. Rates increase with experience, expertise and the complexity of the case. There is always a minimum. With some it is $500, but with others $1,000. In all cases, fees are payable regardless of the Continued on Page 32 www.canadianchiropractor.ca [email protected] 1.866.780.0525 VISIT US AT BOOTHS 53& 54 PARKER SEMINARMONTRÉAL HILTON BONAVENTURE MAY 15–17 CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | MAY 2008 • 29 Spine, Pelvis and Posture Analysis Ideal for chiropractors ▶ DEVELOP YOUR DIAGNOSTICS ▶ PLAN YOUR TREATMENTS ▶ DOCUMENT THE OUTCOMES ▶ FAST ▶ CONTACTLESS ▶ RADIATION-FREE
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor May 08: Page 29
