Depositions are stressful.
You’re in a room with a stranger and you have to answer questions about yourself, your business, and the case. You don’t know what you’re going to be asked, or what they’re looking for, so it can feel like a guessing game all day long.
But not to worry – below are some tips to help you crush your deposition!
- Prepare
Always prepare for the deposition. Print out copies of any documents that may be relevant to the case (i.e., emails or contracts). Make sure you know everything about the case so that you can answer questions about it knowledgeably and confidently.
- Answer Only The Question Presented
Don’t go off on tangents or make assumptions about what the examiner is asking. This will only make things more confusing for everyone involved, and the examiner may use this information against you later on in court proceedings (if the case goes that far).
- Answer Only As To What You Know
If you don’t know something, say so! The examiner is not trying to trick or trap you; they just want the facts of this case, so be honest with them. It’s much better to admit that something isn’t known than to make up an answer that could come back to bite you later on down the road.
- Stay Calm
Stay calm at all times during your deposition, no matter what happens. If you get upset or angry, it will only make things worse for you.
- Ask To See Exhibits
Ask to see any documents being used in the deposition before they are introduced into evidence so that they do not come as a surprise to you later on. This will help ensure that any mistakes or omissions in those documents do not unfairly affect your case.
- Don’t Be Bullied
If you’re being bullied by your deposing party, tell them right off the bat that they’re not allowed to do that. Then, if they do it anyway, object at every opportunity and make sure your attorney knows about it so he or she can address it later.
Final Thoughts
In case these tips doesn’t help you, then you may try searching on web summary deposition services near me. We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to crushing your deposition. We know it’s not easy, but if you follow these steps, we have no doubt that you’ll be able to come out on top.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Author bio-
Sheila LaCivita is the owner of 4 Corners Depo. She got a paralegal degree with distinction from UCLA and has been helping lawyers with deposition summaries. She wants to share her knowledge and experience with others.
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