Jitters, shakes and overcoming fear...ideas?

[ChloeJane]

On Wednesday I have a day in the High Court and have worked hard to prepare and be ready. My issue is after being kicked around by clever lawyers, I have lost confidence to attend the Court and it isn't the most friendliest of places for Litigants in person.

If anyone has any tips, of a) how to get up the stairs and walk through the doors of the High Court with confidence, as right now, the very thought of it and my legs turn to jelly and my heart races and I don't think I can do it.....and b) how to stay controlled under pressure without losing it in front of the Judge, I would be so grateful for tips.

I have tried counting to ten, but whenever their QC speaks I want to throttle him! So bound up and object to things and don't appear controlled due to being emotive and passionate about the essence of the case.

If anyone has tips, maybe breathing excercises or focus ideas anything, I would be so grateful. Its one thing to be able to put words on paper and even here, it is another to find the courage to voice them. Thought maybe herbal something?????? So hope for ideas before Wednesday to practice.

Thanks.....CJ

[Robertxc]

If you know what you want to say, write it down in case you don't think you'll be able to get it all out. That way you'll make sure you don't miss anything important. The judge won't mind a bit if you just hand him a sheet with your points on it.

[jailbird]

I had to give a presentation to my Board last Friday and also a bit of a B****cking so I put on a smart dress, teamed with jacket and HEELS. Did hair, put tooty on and away I went. Number 1 was present and has now asked to to present it to SMT.

In front of the Judge........I always had a polo mint in my mouth so that I had to remember to swallow due to saliva. Sounds daft but it always helped me

Good luck.

Chris

[Hippy-chick]

I always practice in front of a mirror. Write it all out, then say it. Talk it out to a friend.

[ChloeJane]

Robert thankyou. I did a skeleton arguement but it looks like a three page book! Somehow wanted it shorter and couldn't edit.I will do as you suggest and pick out the points only.

The High Court is so unfriendly though Robert. Thats the hardest part as they seem to look down on litigants in person at that level of court. I need to fly you down here to have you talk for me! I would win then.

x

Thanks Jailbird! I like polo mints...it may work to remind me to breathe and swallow and not freeze.

I am usually so confident, but months of abuse from clever lawyers and confidence completely gone. Just the thought of going is making me feel shakey and overwhelmed. So much for the confident law student! May be working in a sandwich bar at this rate.

Thankyou....all thoughts and suggestions I will note and try.

[Castlebest]

think why you are frightened?... the room you will be in is just a room... the other people in that room are just people... you have researched the information and you know you are right so why be nervous?

most of the barristers I have met are supercilious little shytes and most of them do it on purpose, its just a game to them, they are being paid to do a job and if they have a weak legal case they will try to upset you.

I was told many years ago when I was having problems with a building claim by my boss at the time (a brilliant contractual claims surveyor) "don't get mad get even"... it holds a lot of truth... listen to what is being said, think what is wrong with it and say what you think... loosing your temper will do no good whatsoever.

trust in yourself

[Hippy-chick]

Originally Posted by ChloeJane

I did a skeleton arguement but it looks like a three page book! Somehow wanted it shorter and couldn't edit.I will do as you suggest and pick out the points only.

I appreciate you may not want to post it here - but if you want to pm it to some of us I'm sure we'll comment - for what it's worth.

xx

[louis wu]

Can you pretend they're all naked.....although the thoughs of an old naked man with a wig on might make matters worse:o.

You are obviously intelligent, your posts show that. I doubt if your preperation will let you down, so try to trust it. Finally, remember that you like yourself, and ultimately this isn't a life or death situation, so whats the worst that can happen.......you will still like yourself afterwards

Thought maybe herbal something??????

your off to court, so better keep that suggestion to myself

best of luck

louis

[ChloeJane]

Frightened because they have made sure for 11 months I haven't been heard and every time I send them a copy of an order I was going to submit they told me the application would fail, so I didn't submit it thinking I would have costs against me.

I had an application set for a date and they bullied and harassed and intimidated me to withdraw it and have it heard on another date. I wrote to the court and told them I was withdrawing through threats and fear and never heard a word in support.

So hence, I don't believe I will be heard and to top it all off, their QC has refused to investigate a complaint of the court being misled! So I feel a bit defeated before I start. I did lodge a complaint with the Bar Standards Board, so heres hoping they investigate it.

So many issues with the case, just so unsure if the court will let me be heard. Its been 11 months of clever tactics and leading up to the day, confidence gone. If I started a thread on legalities and Solicitors you would be shocked of what I have endured. For now, just want to try everything to get to the steps, in the court room, and calmly be heard. I will try not to get riled, hard though, hence the post. Thank for the tips. x

[Castlebest]

Originally Posted by Castlebest

most of the barristers I have met are supercilious little shytes and most of them do it on purpose, its just a game to them, they are being paid to do a job and if they have a weak legal case they will try to upset you.

as I said trust in yourself

[ChloeJane]

I will remember that Castlebest!

I have the case and evidence but the weaker advocate in the court room. Their lawyers are sooo clever with tactics. I have just written that down. They have the weaker case or would not intimidate me so much. I never saw it that way before!

Thats given me a boost!

[Castlebest]

Good belive it because its true

[ChloeJane]

Grrrr....tried the polo mint! Slobbered everywhere trying to keep it in my mouth and am sure I would end up spitting it at the Judge!

Countdown 2 days to go.

Tried practicing in front of the mirror - with a cup of tea thanks to Hippy Chick...that worked and seemed calm, but not so sure I can enter the courtroom and ask for a cuppa!

Lastly, rehearsing tried on clothes and the dilemma! What to wear!!!!!!!!

Decided that I am taking a teddy bear. My favourite bear its small and sweet and I call it my defence bear, so am sure the judge will look oddly but teddy bears seem to have me thinking soft thoughts, not thoughts of beating up the other side!

So polos out, tea in and teddy bears, and what to wear?????

[tiglet]

Wear black (everyone looks good in black) and make sure you ahve your lippy on "A girl can't read that sort of thing without her lipstick on".

Just don't say to the judge "Read it to me, will you darling?".

[ChloeJane]

lol Tiglet!

Damn and I thought that would work!

He is a nice Judge actually! I watched too many Law and order films and did get away with a lot last time.

Every time the other side said something outrageous, I leapt out of my seat and said "objection my lord!" and set it all straight. The other side were stunned I got away with it!

Why can't I have a judge like John D! mmmmmmmmmmmmm


Truth is, I have been sick all day with worry...I really have doubts....