Facing people in court........

[bohemianbint]

Well, am finally going to come face to face with ex-boss after 6 months next week - am taking him to a tribunal for forcing me out of my job after I had my son.

Apparently we all have to wait in the same room before going in, how awful is that going to be? How on earth do you act with soemone you're suing?! Solicitor says to just be civil, whereas my friend reckons I should be really cheerful to piss him off - I dunno.

Will be 31 weeks pregnant and could do without the stress!

Just ignore him - if he gets abusive they will have you wait in seperate areas - my father was abusive to me whilst waiting to go into court and he was removed and the judge didn't look on the whole matter and their side of the case nicely as a result.

I don't reckon he'd go for abusive - more snide and arrogant and patronising. I was really hoping to never have to see his smug sexist face ever again, although there's still time for him to settle if he wants. But he won't, because he's so arrogant it would kill him.

I just can't imagine going in there after all the to-ing and fro-ing and saying good morning like nothing's up...

Does anyone know how long I could be waiting in there with him? Roughly?

You could be in the same room for ages, tbh -- court proceedings are notorious for taking unpredictable lengths of time, during which the convenience of witnesses is right at the bottom of the priorities.

Take some reading material -- magazines or books. And/or an ipod. Most courts also have cafes where you can go for a bit of variety. And pacing the corridors is also an option.

Just grit your teeth and maintain a poker face.

Oh gawd. At least will have DH with me. But after the crap I've read in their statements, I don't know how easy it's going to be to sit there and make small talk with 'em.

I'm surprised you're in the same room. I was a witness for a former colleague in a tribunal last year and both parties and their witnesses waited in separate rooms. There were several breaks in proceedings while barristers argued legal points, too, so we spent a fair bit of time in the waiting room.

Still have to face them in court, though!

a curt 'morning' and that's as far as i would go with small talk
take a book

Don't make small talk. Just ignore him - I've been to Court 100s of times (lawyer, not client) and I never see anybody making small talk with the "other side" so don't worry

if he's unpleasant, tell the usher and have him moved.

Best of luck

Was also surprised, only found out yesterday!

Good tip MamaG, didn't realise I could do that. I guess it wouldn't look too good for him if he did have to be moved, would it?

Its not unusual and the waiting rooms are usually large enough for you not to be that close.

Theres usually a coffee machine and magazines but take a book etc as it can be a long wait - upto a couple of hours at times. Plus a book means you can concentrate on reading rather than having to look at anyone etc.

Been a few times on behalf of work and the other party are always in the same waiting room but its been fine. I may acknowledge their brief if they have one but thats about it.

Cheers Happy - that makes me feel slightly better. Had visions of us being crammed into a tiny room and havign to sit on top of each other.

Actually, I quitelike the sound of a couple of nice quiet hours to read. That's practically a holiday.