Credibility of Evidence in Civil Proceedings, Trinity Barrister, Gary Willock

Trinity social housing law barrister, Gary Willock was one of the speakers at Chambers’ 2024 Housing Law Conference held in Leeds and delivered a talk entitled:
‘Whose Lie Is It Anyway?’ - Credibility of Evidence in Civil Proceedings
In the context of Civil Court proceedings, memory is unreliable and credibility is not the same as honesty. Reliability of the evidence may be influenced by bias (conscious or otherwise), wishful thinking or discussion with others. In this recorded talk, Gary explores the challenging issue of whether and how a witness's evidence be relied on by the Court.
Gary's session covers the following topics:
Key factors in assessing credibility
Indicators of unsatisfactory witness evidence
Demeanour
Corroboration
Inherent probability
Consistency with admitted or indisputable facts
Contemporaneous evidence & documentation
Dishonesty
Inherent plausibility & consistency of evidence
There is a handout that accompanies the session. If you do not have a copy and would like one, please email [e-mail]
This recorded seminar and its accompanying notes are made available for educational and information purposes only. The views expressed in it are those of the speaker. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. The speaker and Trinity Chambers accept no responsibility for the continuing accuracy of the contents. Contact Trinity Chambers if you have a specific legal query.

[@GordonSmith-yk9kt]

I'm a law student, and found this a worthwhile presentation. Thank you. I'd be grateful for a link to the powerpoint.

[@rogerhill3984]

A builder sued me for £5k withholding as the house had a wet wall (upstairs bath not fitted properly) cracked cast iron sewer pipe, after a makeover costing £225k. Also the plaster skim was falling off the kitchen/ living room wall, as the wall had not been cleaned, or original plaster removed before application. All waste water drains go “Glug glug” as no air admittance valves fitted in all new plumbing. ( See building regulations part H). And finally the mark of a cowboy, the top floor shower room vent fan was exhausted into the roof space. All evidence was submitted with photographs and accounts from another builder and plumber for £7k to put these things right.
The judge found for the cowboy builder so I had to pay the £5k withholding plus costs. When I pointed out building regulations that had been contravened, the JUDGE SAID HE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN BUILDING REGULATIONS.
All that at Exeter Court. I think Judges and the Law is corrupted by stupidity and judges totally enamoured by the sound of their own voice!

[@ИринаКим-ъ5ч]

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