Attending court can be a harrowing experience, especially if it is your first time in this rather formal and foreboding environment. There are, of course, rules and protocols to be followed and at the rear of the large room sits the judge on a raised chair behind a bench.
If you are preparing for a litigation hearing in court, here is some information about what to expect when you attend a court of law.
Dress Respectfully
When attending court, one should dress conservatively, much as you would if you were attending church. The judge (the most important person in the room) will look at you at some point and the last thing you need is for this professional to view your attire as inappropriate. If you hire one of the litigation solicitors in Thailand or wherever you are in the world, he or she would help you to prepare for the occasion, offering moral support. It is perfectly normal to be overwhelmed in such a situation and with your lawyer by your side, all will be fine.
Turn Up Early
If ever there was a time to be early, a court appearance would be it. Arrange to meet your lawyer about 30 minutes before the court opens. This gives the lawyer a chance to run through things with you and prepare documentation and other evidence that will be presented to the court by your legal representative.
Don’t Expect An Outcome On The First Appearance
The litigation case will not likely be heard on the first date; rather the judge listens to the case details and a clerk would issue a hearing date. In the event there are any issues, the court might adjourn the case to a later date in order to give both sides more time to prepare.
Look To Your Lawyer For The Lead
Part of your lawyer’s role is to assist you with court preparation, so if you have any issues, please tell your lawyer and they would be happy to assist in any way they can. Don’t worry, lawyers are used to helping their clients and they understand how a court appearance can affect someone.
Turn Your Mobile Phone To Silent
The last thing you want is for your smartphone to burst into life during the middle of a witness giving their statement, which is a time when you will wish you could vanish into thin air!
All Stand When The Judge(s) Enters The Courtroom
The judge enters from a door at the rear of the court and a clerk will announce the arrival; that is when you should stand and remain standing until the judge is seated. When communicating with your lawyer, you should speak in a soft voice and avoid being loud at all times.
Power Of Attorney
It is not essential that you attend a litigation court hearing. Simply sign a power of attorney form that permits your lawyer to act on your behalf. Most people prefer to skip the court appearance, as they have other things to attend to.
While it might seem a daunting proposition to enter a courtroom, you should relax and enjoy the experience. Your legal team will set about getting you the result you want.
