Page 47 - FDCC Deposition Drills

Deposition Drills How to Teach Deposition Skills
Asking Leading Questions
The first rule of cross examination is to ask leading questions. Testify for the witness. This exercise addresses that.
EXPLANATION
Participants learn how to ask leading questions.
EXERCISE
Identify a witness you cross-examined in deposition and describe the case and the role of the witness in the case to the participants. Explain what a leading question is (and isn’t) and have the participants question you (as you role play the witness) using only leading questions.
LESSONS LEARNED
Asking leading questions is foundational to a powerful cross examination. It takes effort to turn every open ended question into a leading question, but with practice, it can be done, and done effectively.
A FEW QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS
Why is it important to ask leading questions? How does one ask leading questions?
What do you achieve by asking leading questions?
©2021 Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
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SECTION 04 CROSS EXAMINATION