Civil Service Investigation: COURTROOM TESTIMONIES
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Trainer & Testimonials

Dr. Steven Lam is currently a partner of an international law firm.  Before this, he was a senior lawyer handling complex international dispute resolution and corporate matters specialising in shipping, international trade, reinsurance and insurance disputes & cross-borders mergers & acquisitions.

Dr. Lam’s wealth of experience in investigation and interrogation was acquired while working in an investigative agency. He was extensively involved in witness interviews and interrogation processes.

His corporate experience includes being a General Counsel of a multinational oil & gas & shipping company, and as Chief Legal Officer of a medical healthcare provider.  During his tenure, he was directly involved in several due-diligence processes for complex and multi-million cross border mergers-and-acquisitions, and internal audits and risk management investigations.

In 2006, he was awarded the Book Prize in Drafting and Award Writing by the President of London’s Chartered Institute of Arbitrator.

His other current Involvements include acting as:

  • Independent Director of the Singapore Heart Stroke and Cancer Centre.
  • Independent Director of the Prestige Healthcare Investments Pte Ltd.
  • Partner-Associate and Consultant of the Legal Aid Bureau of the Ministry of Law for complex commercial cases.
  • Panel Arbitrator, Law Society Arbitration Scheme.
  • Panel Arbitrator, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators.
  • PRACMENTOR, Law Society (Arbitration and International Business Transactions).
  • Associate Mediator, Subordinate Courts of the Republic Of Singapore.
  • Mediator, Consumer Associate of Singapore.
  • Town Councillor for Punggol Town Council.

For his community and other contributions to society he was awarded the Public Service Medal (PBM) by the President of Singapore in 2005.

TESTIMONIALS

“Presenter has good depth of experience.  Hands on practical aspect was a good useful learning tool.”
…Senior Associate Director, National University of Singapore

“Good course.  Well run.”
…Senior Officer, Singapore Civil Defence Force

“Very helpful in understanding expectation of lawyer / judge for witness has to prepare for court witness report and cross examination.”
…Psychiatrist, Changi General Hospital

“Allow me to understand the psych of the defence counsel and the pitfalls (possible) in courtroom testimonies > trainer with extensive experience to share is an asset.”
…Assistant Director, Ministry of Health

“Steven has done well to capture attention and is highly knowledgeable.”
…Senior Tax Investigator, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore

“Very comprehensive one-day programme though.”
…Officer-in-Charge, Special Investigation Team, Central Narcotics Bureau

“Well done.  Presentation made good.”
…Officer-in-Charge, Special Investigation Team, Central Narcotics Bureau

“Well done.”
..Registrar, Changi General Hospital

“Good examples, good demonstration.”
…Deputy Director, Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports

“Lots of practical that would have been very helpful.  However, one day may be too short.”
…Senior Executive, Building and Construction Authority

“Lively delivery of speaker.”
…Senior Investigation Officer, Ministry of Manpower

“Very well organised and location and food was good.”
…Senior Executive Engineer, Building and Construction Authority

“Good location, friendly and helpful training co-ordinators.”
…Prison Officer, Singapore Prison Service

“Interesting insights of some cases.”
…Associate Engineer, Building and Construction Authority

“Yes, the instructor was very knowledgeable.  Very friendly.”
…Anonymous

“Examples of cases are plentiful.”
...Specialist Associate, National University of Singapore

“Real life examples (stories) were useful.”
…Anonymous

“Great job Mr Steven on your training.  It is very interesting to listen to your life experience.”
…Anonymous

“Food and environment is wonderful.  Great job in creating such an environment that is conclusive for learning.”
…Anonymous

“Good and be able to use lawyer view point.”
…Anonymous

Programme

OUR UNIQUE ADVANTAGE

The Civil Service Investigation (CSI) series provide a systematic and structured method for investigation skills development. This is an effective and comprehensive investigation skills training program outside law schools in Singapore.

Courtroom Testimonies is the final of our 5-part training.  Investigators and prosecutors often face a strong and highly experienced defence team. Knowing the game defence counsels play greatly increases your rate of success.

But it is very hard to find good defence counsels to share their vast knowledge, experience, tricks and strategies. Their busy schedule would not permit them time to do so.

This workshop is lead by prominent defence counsel and ex-police officer, Dr. Steven Lam. He will share his intimate knowledge of his work experience sitting on both sides of the court. Loop holes, tricks and techniques commonly exploited by good defence counsels to frustrate your effort and work will be shared.  Application of relevant law, recent amendments to the CPC and its impact on you will be discussed.

Sun Tzu says, “Know your enemies, know yourself, 100 battles, 100 victories.”

This is a truly unique opportunity to gain perspectives and knowledge from “the other side”.

BRIEF PROGRAM OUTLINE

This workshop is designed to assist you in developing the skills to excel as a witness in the court of law.  Presenting evidence in court is the culmination of the work carried out in your role as an investigator.  You will be taken through the court process and shown techniques used by the legal profession to undermine testimony so ensuring you are better prepared.

This workshop is designed to assist you in developing the skills to excel as a witness in the court of law.  Presenting evidence in court is the culmination of the work carried out in your role as an investigator.  You will be taken through the court process and shown techniques used by the legal profession to underminetestimony so ensuring you are better prepared.

General court room testimony procedures will be covered in addition to testifying as a witness, investigative testimony, crime scene testimony and diagrams, and expert testimony.  A practice mock trial for participants to apply new knowledge will be included.

  • The Court Process
  • Order of Proceedings, Time frames, Objectives of Court
  • Hearings
  • Rules of Evidence
  • Preparing for Trial
  • Resume & Expert Testimony
  • Communication Skills in the Courtroom
  • Channeling Nervous Energy
  • Using Eye Contact, voice, and gestures
  • Communication and Personality Styles
  • Questioning by Attorneys
  • Mock Trial

Overview

Many civil service investigators, professionals and expert witnesses are inadequately prepared for the rigors of the courtroom and have no formal training in providing effective courtroom testimony.  With increasing cases of criminal offences, investigators find themselves at a greater likelihood than ever of having to provide courtroom testimonies.

“One of the most difficult challenges investigators and witnesses must confront is in the rigorous tests of the courtroom.”
…Jeffrey Hum, Program Director, Maitre Allianz Pte Ltd

The witness box is an unfamiliar, feared and lonely place.  Witnesses feel that they are on trial, standing in the dock rather than giving testimony to assist the court.  A poor performance can undermine confidence and credibility.
You will acquire knowledge of terms and procedures used by the legal profession, including the concepts of fact and witness, what constitutes evidence and what is not admissible and the significance of a subpoena.
The goal of Courtroom Testimonies workshop is to improve the skills of those involved, in the area of court preparation and testimony. This workshop will provide you with a key understanding of the components of criminal trials with special focus on the knowledge, skills and attitudes that contribute to your credibility as a witness.

BENEFITS:

  • Develop testifying skills of a confident and competent  witness.
  • Respond succinctly and appropriately and know when to elaborate.
  • Articulate your opinion based on the foundation of fact and/or truth.
  • Differentiate between scientific and legal truth.
  • Harness and channel nervous energy into a positive presentation.
  • Maintain congruence in thoughts, feelings and behavior.
  • Work your communication style to your benefit.
  • Acquire knowledge of the adversarial system .
  • Appreciate the roles of the various players in court.
  • Gain insights on techniques lawyers use in cross-examination.
  • Defend against counsel attack.
  • Prepare your case well.
  • Craft your story for maximum impact.

DATE: 26 Sep 2011

TIME: 9am – 5pm

VENUE: Holiday Inn Singapore, Orchard City Centre

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