Hearings via video link.

Snakes_Belly

The link below gives some advice on presentation when using a video link. It has been written by the CEO of a beauty company so more geared up to the ladies. There is however some useful information for all members of the forum who may have to undertake a hearing via video link. I do agree with Tricia about some of the presenters on TV. 

I hope that you don't think that this is vacuous but some posters may find it useful.

https://www.lookfabulousforever.com/blog/makeup/how-to-look-good-on-screen

Fruitcake

Whilst some of it is not necessarily relevant. I don't think it is vacuous at all. There are some good tips in there, especially with regards to position and lighting. 

I did a TV cameraman's course at college, and we had a small TV studio there. It was surprising what difference small changes to light and shade, and camera angles can make. 
Bright colours are not a good idea for a serious meeting. Plain colours are probably best, not too light that your face is darkened in contrast, and not too dark that your face flares out like a light blub. Try for a plain-ish background such as a painted wall, not striped or cartoon character wallpaper.
Avoid clothes with stripes or sharply contrasting colours.

I suggest trying it out on a friend or family, and also record yourself if possible then play it back. Make sure what you are saying can be heard clearly. Have a glass of tepid water to hand, and take notes as you go. Have all your paperwork clearly labelled, numbered and in the order you expect to use it. Have a separate crib sheet or index with headings in bold or larger font than normal so you can quickly find the relevant documents and evidence.

Much of the above is equally as important for an audio only case. Whilst you can wear fluffy bunny slippers and your favourite jim-jams below the waist, make sure what you are wearing is comfortable as you don't know how long it will last.
Make sure the room environment is comfortable, and ensure there is as little outside noise as possible. 

Last but not least, don't drink too much beforehand, and above all, go to the toilet before it starts.

Le_Kirk

Fruitcake said:

Whilst you can wear fluffy bunny slippers and your favourite jim-jams below the waist, make sure what you are wearing is comfortable as you don't know how long it will last.

I think it is important to dress as if you were going to be in a court.  When I was working from home, I preferred to put on the same clothes I would wear in the office (including tie) as that made it more serious and put me in a "work" frame of mind.  I have to say Fruitcake that I need notice of reading something like that so I can be sure I am not taking a sip of tea whilst reading it; just the thought of your bunny slippers caused me to redecorate the monitor!

Fruitcake

No bunnies were hurt in the making of my slippers.  

bargepole

The following are the guidance notes sent out by Reading County Court, but will apply to any type of video hearing:

NOTES FOR PARTIES TAKING PART IN SMALL CLAIMS OR OTHER HEARINGS BY CVP IN THE COUNTY COURT AT READING/SLOUGH/HIGH WYCOMBE

The following notes are intended to help you to get ready for the hearing and ensure it is as effective as possible.

1. Getting ready beforehand:

a. The Court will have sent out a Directions Order after you submitted your Directions Questionnaires, as well as more information about this video hearing. Read all the orders from the Court and make sure that you have complied.

b. The Court will not be able to read things that you hold up to the screen, and is unlikely to be able to accept documents sent over by email during the hearing. The Judge has to complete the hearing in the time allowed, as there will be another hearing after yours, so he or she needs to read everything in advance. Unless you send all the documents you want to use (including written witness statements saying what you and your witnesses are going to say) to the Court and to the other party beforehand, it is likely that the Judge will make a decision without using that evidence. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Court will accept all documents by pdf attached to an email, and we expect (or may order) all parties to send documents that way if possible.

c. Make sure that everyone who needs to be “at” the hearing has the link to the Court and is ready on time. That means being ready at least 15 minutes beforehand, possibly more. This includes all advocates, witnesses, parties and interpreters.

d. Where professional lawyers are involved, the advocate will need to speak to the party and any other witnesses beforehand. We strongly urge you to do this by video-link, so that in addition to “meeting” each other you can check that their video and sound works.

e. Witnesses need a copy of the (bundle of) documents for the hearing, and their witness statement. Because of the way that some lawyers work, the witnesses may only have seen their statements through a link to the lawyers’ case management system, which will probably now be out of date. Make sure that everyone involved has a pdf copy of all the documents being used for the hearing.

f. Photographs in bundles need to be high-quality colour copies. In a video hearing there is little chance of passing a better quality copy to the Judge during the hearing.

g. If you need to play a video or sound recording during the hearing, you must contact the court well in advance to make arrangements for that.

2. Making sure the technology works.

a. The Court has found since the use of CVP for small claims trials was introduced on about 20 April 2020 that it takes a while to get everyone

Guidance for Small Claims CVP hearings – Final 12 May 2020

properly set up for the hearing, with their cameras and microphones

working. There have been instances where people have "practiced" with one

machine and then tried to use a different one, perhaps without a camera, for

the hearing.

b. Please, therefore, ensure that the machine you are using has a good,

consistent internet connection. Poor quality/intermittent internet means

that sound and/or video "lag" and you will not be able to follow the hearing

and the Judge and other parties will not be able to follow you when you

speak.

3. Set up in a quiet room where you will be free from interruption.

a. Small Claims Trials are in “open court” so there is no objection to other

people being there to watch, provided that they remain quiet and only

observe. However, the room you are in needs to be treated as if it were part

of the actual Courtroom. You will not be able to concentrate on the hearing if

there are people coming in and out or if there is music or some other

distraction in the background.

b. If other people interfere with the hearing the Judge may well have to stop

the hearing, or possibly just exclude your link. In either case there could be a

decision made without further input from you and/or you could be ordered

to pay the costs of a wasted hearing.

c. Try not to sit with a window behind you, as the other parties and the Judge

will find it difficult to see your face, and you may also find it difficult to see

the screen.

4. It is a contempt of court to record a court hearing without permission. The Court will

be recording the hearing if you need a copy afterwards. You must not record either

audio or video of the hearing yourself.

5. When you tell us about your case, it is important that there is no-one “helping” you

or giving you tips about what to say, unless that person is doing so as your McKenzie

Friend or representative. If you want someone to help you during the hearing,

please ask the Court well in advance for a form for your proposed helper to

complete; this must be sent back to the Court no later than the day before the

hearing. If you have a McKenzie Friend, that person can help to remind you of points

to make or questions to ask, but cannot speak to the Judge directly unless given

permission by the Judge and cannot help you when you are being asked questions. If

you have a representative, that person can speak to the Judge.

6. When you are giving evidence, the Judge needs to hear about the case in your own

words and not from your McKenzie Friend or representative. You are not allowed to

be told what to say when you give evidence in court, and exactly the same rules

apply to a video hearing. If someone else is telling you what to say that might make it

difficult for the Judge to believe you, and might have very serious consequences.

7. Video hearings are tiring for everyone involved because of the need to concentrate

even more closely than usual. If you need to have a short break, let the Judge know.

8. Please remain quiet when other people are speaking. The technology for video

hearings does not handle several people speaking at once well. If you interrupt you

will disrupt the hearing. The Judge may ask everyone, or just some people, to

“mute” their microphones, and may also decide to mute some people. It is better

just to make a note and say what you need to say later. The Judge will always do

their best to ensure that everyone gets a chance to say what they need to say. If the

Judge has muted you, please raise your hand or wave, so that the Judge knows you

want to speak.