Hearings in a small claim or fast track civil case

Summary

Going to court for a civil claim? This guide will help you to understand what happens at a hearing, when to speak, and how to do cross-examination. Free help to prepare for trial and represent yourself. The information in this guide applies to England and Wales. 1 Introduction 2 What is a hearing? 3 Going to a hearing 4 Final hearing of your civil claim 5 What do I have to do to get ready for the trial? 6 What happens at the trial? 7 How do witnesses give evidence? 8 Closing submission 9 The judge’s order - judgment 10 How to enforce a judgment and get paid what the court says you are due 11 Top tips for representing yourself 12 FAQs about hearings in a civil court 13 What does it mean? 14 About this guide * Prepare as much as you can. * Read all the documents before the hearing, particularly the witness statements. * Make notes about the key information you will need to get across. * Practise what you are going to say beforehand. Get support from someone else before and during the hearing. * Work out what the other side might say about your case and think about what evidence you will need to disprove their version of events. * Practise cross-examing and being cross-examined. *.

Key information

• •Prepare as much as you can.
• •Read all the documents before the hearing, particularly the witness statements.
• •Make notes about the key information you will need to get across.
• •Practise what you are going to say beforehand. Get support from someone else before and during the hearing.
• •Work out what the other side might say about your case and think about what evidence you will need to disprove their version of events.
• •Practise cross-examing and being cross-examined.
• •Stay calm and be prepared to adapt your closing submission if new information comes out during the hearing.
• •Remember to ask for your costs at the end if you win.
• •The difference between a hearing and a trial
• •How to handle cross-examination and re-examination
• •What to do after the hearing
• •are thinking about suing (starting a civil claim) in either England or Wales, and

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Hearings in a small claim or fast track civil case](https://www.advicenow.org.uk/get-help/going-court/small-claims-and-civil-court/hearings-civil-claim)

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