To ask for tips on being a witness in family court and what to wear?

[madness2025]

I am going to be a non-party witness in a Family Court case which is public proceedings. I am quite anxious about it as it will help give information to the court to decide the future of two young children. I want to give a good impression and present myself well to help the court come to the best decision. Has anyone been a witness before. Please can you give me advice on what to wear and how to remain calm on the day.

It depends to some extent on your role.
If you are a concerned neighbour, or maybe the children are friends of your children, then you want to look reliable, slightly mumsy and ordinary. So a neat outfit - could be a dress or trousers and a top, jacket optional, neat hair, discreet make up and jewellery- you are demonstrating that you recognise the seriousness of the occasion, and that you are a mature sensible person whose observations are unbiased, but that you understand that context is important and that you know the difference between fact and opinion.
If you are a professional, eg doctor, then go for a more formal dark dress/trousers and jacket.
Years ago, the "fragrant" Mary Archer choice of dressing for court was considered very appropriate - flowery but fitted summer dress, matching pumps and cardigan. "Fragrant" as in in she looked fresh and as if she would smell nice. The comment itself would be considered inappropriately sexist nowadays, but the sentiment remains the same.

I'm been in family court lots of times, but only as a professional. I would say most people dress smart, maybe a blouse and a skirt or smart trousers.

That said, there isn't a dress code and no one will criticize you for showing up to help in whatever you can manage. You definitely don't need to buy something.

Family courts are less intimidating than most people expect, so try not to worry.

Don't worry about what you wear too much.

Smart casual/office attire and comfortable is fine.

In terms of staying calm just answer the question you are asked. If the question could be taken one of two ways don't assume ask them to clarify.
Stick to facts that are within your own knowledge (depending on your role, I'm assuming your part of factual rather than providing an opinion). If you are relaying something that was said to you but which you can't verify, but the fact that it was said is relevant because it explains some action you took on foot of the statement make that clear so you are not introducing hearsay.

So "Mary called to my door in a state, I called an ambulance because John had hit her." Would be hearsay unless you were present when he hit her.
"Mary was very upset, she said John had hit her so I called an ambulance"

And most people I know have found it more helpful to direct their answers to the judge and not the solicitor or barrister asking them the questions as it makes it less adversarial and takes the sting out of it a bit, although the judge in a family court should try to reign in anything of that nature a bit more anyway.

Think job interview to work in a primary school. Picture teachers and TAs - relaxed, clean (at the start of the day anyway!) but not overly formal, overly tight/revealing or scruffy. Respectful.
Leggings with bum revealing t-shirt a no

State objective facts & don't let anyone rile you / get an emotional reaction, as they may try to do that to discredit you

I am a nurse so usually wear uniform. I have a boden black midi dress and black court shoes so was thinking of that with tidy nails and hair and light makeup.
It is an in law who was a victim of domestic abuse. I did not witness direct physical abuse or coercive control but was involved in the aftermath if that makes sense.

Your dress and shoes sound perfect, I’d ignore the idea of stereotypical mumsy nonsense. Dress smartly in something you feel comfortable in. As a social worker if I need to attend court I wear a smart trouser suit that shows I take the process seriously but is also comfortable.

Answer the questions directly, be concise and try not to give more information than they ask for. If you don’t understand the question ask them to clarify, and if you don’t know the answer say so, don’t make it up or try to answer based on your assumptions. It can be nerve wracking but you’re there because they think you have something that will help their understanding of the situation they need to consider.

As long as you’re clean and tidy, polite and punctual, it’s all good.

I always used to have a jacket to wear when going to court as a SW, but I wouldn’t bother as a witness.