PCN at small claims hearing 6/6/2023

Snakes_Belly

If the rep brings up the "template witness statement". It is a smalls claims court and litigants in person are not legally trained. In the absence of a truly independant appeals service court is the only option to get a modicum of fairness.

The PPC's use templates. They do not write a tailored WS out for each claim. Excel certainly don't.

Coupon-mad

Did you read the hearing tips section in the NEWBIES thread and know to remember to ask for your costs at the end?

WD40fan

Le_Kirk said:

WD40fan said:

Well, I'm in virtual court tomorrow. Any suggestions of what I can do to further prepare, other than re-reading the bundle?

Preparation is key, know your defence and witness statement inside out, make yourself a crib sheet to make sure you get across everything you want to say (especially if you feel it is not going your way).  On your crib sheet mark important points in your defence and WS and have a cross reference so you can point the judge to those important points.  Dress smartly (a smart body = a smart mind) even though it is virtual court, address the judge as "judge", wait your turn to speak, do not forget to ask for your costs when you win! Oh .... and good luck.

Thanks. I was trying to think of my smartest outfit, I've not had office wear for some years.

I'm working on a crib sheet. But I'm quite worried that my defence is something that I cannot prove as I was never given a receipt.

Jenni_D

You're still a credible witness, and the only witness to attend the hearing. I'm sure the judge will take your statement at face value.  

WD40fan

Jenni_D said:

You're still a credible witness, and the only witness to attend the hearing. I'm sure the judge will take your statement at face value.  

Thank you, that helps. I am trusting in the system and that I am telling the truth.

Boat_to_Bolivia

WD40fan said:

Jenni_D said:

You're still a credible witness, and the only witness to attend the hearing. I'm sure the judge will take your statement at face value.  

Thank you, that helps. I am trusting in the system and that I am telling the truth.

Remember the onus is on them to prove their case.

Good luck tomorrow, we are all rooting for you.

WD40fan

Boat_to_Bolivia said:

WD40fan said:

Jenni_D said:

You're still a credible witness, and the only witness to attend the hearing. I'm sure the judge will take your statement at face value.  

Thank you, that helps. I am trusting in the system and that I am telling the truth.

Remember the onus is on them to prove their case.

Good luck tomorrow, we are all rooting for you.

I appreciate it. I could cry I'm so stressed.

WD40fan

Coupon-mad said:

Did you read the hearing tips section in the NEWBIES thread and know to remember to ask for your costs at the end?

I'm still trying to find the section mentioned- "Another one bites the dust- hearings". So. Much. Information!

WD40fan

Snakes_Belly said:

If the rep brings up the "template witness statement". It is a smalls claims court and litigants in person are not legally trained. In the absence of a truly independant appeals service court is the only option to get a modicum of fairness.

The PPC's use templates. They do not write a tailored WS out for each claim. Excel certainly don't.

Thanks. I'm about to add this to my crib sheet.

Coupon-mad

WD40fan said:

Coupon-mad said:

Did you read the hearing tips section in the NEWBIES thread and know to remember to ask for your costs at the end?

I'm still trying to find the section mentioned- "Another one bites the dust- hearings". So. Much. Information!

There's no such section.

Why not just go to the NEWBIES thread and click 'control & f' on a PC or laptop & nip straight to the keywords hearing tips?