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How to draft effective affidavits and witness statements
- 3 hrs
- 3 CPD Points
- 28/10/2025 - 28/10/2025
- Interactive
- Start from $297.00
- WA1006_PSK1
How to draft effective affidavits and witness statements
Date & time: 28 October 2025, 1.30pm to 5.00pm AEDT
An affidavit that’s unclear or poorly drafted can create problems for your matter. A well-prepared, persuasive one can help strengthen your case and support your position.
This half-day webinar will sharpen your drafting skills so you can prepare affidavits and witness statements that are clear, compliant and persuasive.
You'll learn the fundamentals of how to:
- Take and plan a witness statement or affidavit
- Identify the right content and structure
- Address basic evidentiary requirements
- Apply correct form, presentation and drafting techniques
- Navigate procedural rules
- Use affidavits effectively across different legal contexts
At the end of this live webinar, you will earn 3 CPD points.
Facilitated by: Paul Venus, Partner in the Dispute Resolution and Litigation Group
Feedback from past attendees:
“The presenter was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. Presented in a clear and effective manner. Provided excellent materials and resources.”
“Paul was very enthusiastic about his area of expertise and was easy to listen to.”
“Fantastic and excellent. Very engaging speaker – great anecdotes. Was open to discussion throughout the session.”
Course Outline
1.30pm: Login and welcome
1.35pm: Steps in taking a witness statement/affidavit
- Preparation and planning the contents
- Interviewing the witness
- Use of IT solutions – the future of giving evidence and false testimony
2.50pm: Break
3.00pm: How to develop the correct presentation
- Detailed checklists of what to include
- Headings and prescribed forms
- Different requirements in State and Federal court
- Alterations, signing clauses, annexures
3.30pm: Drafting issues
- Learn the style and content for different types of documents and their purpose
- Form and presentation
4.00pm: Break
4.10pm: Taking an affidavit and procedural issues
- Blind or unable to read
- Language difficulties
- Procedure
4.30pm: How to use an affidavit
- Inclusion of evidence
- Cross-examination
- Use in interlocutory proceedings
- Using statements and affidavits to draft pleadings
5.00pm: Q&A and close
This live webinar is ideal for new practitioners in the legal profession as well as lawyers looking to refine their litigation/advocacy skills and techniques.
This webinar is produced in NSW and features a QLD-based practitioner. The webinar is available to practitioners from all Australian jurisdictions.
The time listed for this course is Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT). Please take note of any time differences if you are registering from QLD, WA, SA, NT or from outside Australia.
The course complies with the mandatory requirement of Professional Skills – 3 points.
If you intend to claim CPD units for this educational activity, please note that CPD activities are not accredited by the Law Society of NSW or any other equivalent local authority, with the exception of Western Australia. If you hold a practising certificate in a state or territory other than Western Australia and this educational activity extends your knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to your practice needs or professional development, then you should claim one (1) "unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. The annual requirement is ten (10) CPD units each year from 1 April to 31 March. Some practitioners, such as accredited specialists are required to complete more than ten (10) units each CPD year.
Practitioners holding WA practising certificates are eligible to earn CPD points for this course. For instructions to earn CPD points, please click here.
Paul Venus
Paul is a Partner at a national law firm in the firm’s Dispute Resolution and Litigation group and has over 25 years of experience in complex litigation, intellectual property, information technology law, commercial law and competition law issues.
Paul’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation, principally in trade practices law, product liability law, information technology law, franchising law, and patent and trademark litigation. He is also an accredited specialist in commercial litigation with the QLS.
"Drafting an affidavit or statement is not merely a recounting of events. Each word matters and they must be crafted in a way that is respectful of the court’s need for clear and credible evidence."
Please be aware that this webinar organised by the College of Law for use on our website, marketing materials and publications. By attending and participating in a College of Law Continuing Professional Development course, you consent to the College of Law photographing or recording and using your image and likeness and/or voice.
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