Services

Case Consultation

To increase the probability of achieving a favourable outcome, it is advisable to identify weaknesses and points of contention that are inherent to an issue or unique to a case. Scientific evidence can be used to show how such factors may have real-life impact on the perceptions and judgements of legal professionals. Furthermore, ELPF can assist with the refinement and customisation of your pre-trial strategy formulation, to mitigate the impact of problematic case factors.

Expert-Witness Consultation

From the commission of a crime, to the stages when evidence is gathered, interviews are conducted, time lapses, and the actual trial begins, many case-relevant questions (e.g., memory accuracy) may arise. With the use of issue-specific research evidence, ELPF can provide responses in some cases, while practising from a stance of confidentiality, objectivity and acknowledgement of the limits to our professional capabilities.

Trial Consultation

A fair trial is in part dependent on jury composition, since features of a jury can have considerable weighting on the outcome of a case. For instance, factors such as gender, case-specific opinions and personal beliefs, can directly influence the perceptions that jurors form about a plaintiff, defendant, witness, or law as a whole. As a risk-minimisation measure, a trial consultant can assist with the optimisation of the jury-selection process.

Witness Preparation

For some people, testifying in a trial can be an anxiety-provoking experience, that impedes their ability to clearly convey their thoughts. To minimise or remove psychological obstructions, witnesses are guided through a customised process of intrapersonal and interpersonal evaluation. The goal is not to influence what a witness may eventually say, but rather, to facilitate effective communication.

Mock Trials

Here, we go a step further into trial preparation. Courtroom conditions are simulated along with a complete mock jury panel(s). Mock jurors’ feedback is used to curate a pool of critical factors that are likely to have considerable trial-outcome impact. In certain cases, the use of multiple panels in the evaluative process can improve accuracy. Trial-strategy can be polished further with the incorporation of this information.

Focus Groups

Different details of a case may warrant more concern in terms of the way they may be perceived by a juror. It is advisable for such information to undergo a pre-trial process of analysis. This can be achieved through focus-group feedback. The focus group will be comprised of jury-eligible citizens who have similar features of the anticipated trial jury. Here, we get the opportunity to foresee how certain information may be received, allowing for revisions in presentation approaches.

Post-Trial Juror Interviews

Regardless of the outcome of a case, it is advisable for legal professionals to evaluate their trial performance. Evaluations can yield insightful information that can be referenced for future trial preparations in similar cases. One should have an idea of what worked and perhaps more importantly, what did not work. Jurors can contribute to this data pool, by giving confidential feedback about their trial experience in general and on more specific elements of the case. As an appropriately trained and objective third-party with extensive real-life experience in clinical interviewing, ELPF can be entrusted with this delicate task.

Research Projects

The benefits of research, extend beyond figures and graphs. Ethically sound and well-designed research projects can produce important evidence that adds credence to or invalidates arguments. This valuable information is often used by both public and private institutions to feed back into practice, manage resources and formulate polices. ELPF has several years of demonstrated and award-winning research experience, in areas related to mental health, violent offenders and legal processes. Support can be provided for any stage of the research process (e.g., procedural consultation), or within a specific capacity (e.g., project management).

To uphold the philosophy of judicial fairness and objectivity, with expertly formulated and communicated scientific conclusions and recommendations

EVIDENCE-BASED

EXPERT

OBJECTIVE