Going to Court as a Witness

What’s My Role as a Witness in Court?

Going to Court as a Witness

Your role as a witness is simple but important: to tell the court what you personally saw, heard, or did.

You’re not there to speculate, give opinions, or repeat what other people said.

"Listen to the question and

answer the question,

not some question

you think you should be asked"

The judge only wants your direct knowledge.

If you weren’t there, or didn’t see or hear it yourself, you can’t give evidence about it.

That’s called hearsay and it isn’t allowed.

Hearsay is inadmissible evidence.

Why Am I Giving Evidence?

Judges decide cases based mainly on what witnesses say, not on the speeches of lawyers. Your testimony helps the judge understand what actually happened.

You’re there to add clarity, not to argue.

What Should I Avoid Doing?

• Don’t guess. If you don’t know the answer, say so.

• Don’t add commentary. Stick to the facts; the judge doesn’t need to hear comments like “to be honest” or “that was interesting.”

• Don’t stray into speculation. For example: “I think he meant…” isn’t evidence.

Quick Example

• Good evidence: “I was at the junction. I saw the blue car drive through the red light.”

• Inadmissible hearsay: “My neighbour told me he saw the blue car run the light.”

The first is your direct knowledge. The second is what someone saw i.e. hearsay.

In Simple Terms

As a witness, your job is to give clear, truthful evidence about what you know first-hand. Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Listen to the question and answer the question, not some question you think you should be asked.

So when in doubt, keep it simple:

Did I see it?

Did I hear it?

Do I know it personally?

If the answer is no, it doesn’t belong in your evidence.