In his article in yesterday’s SLN, Alistair Bonnington correctly attacks the concept of witnesses being coached. Such a practice is illegal and could amount to perversion of the course of justice.

However, is he certain that what was involved was not ‘witness familiarisation’, which is completely different and is legal?

Witness familiarisation, which has as a main service provider a company called Bond Solon, provides witnesses with a guide to court procedures and terminology along with guidance about conciseness and precision in answering. The trainer has no knowledge of the details of the case in which evidence is to be led and discussion of such matters is strictly forbidden.

I have been a Bond Solon trainer for 12 years and have had many expressions of grateful thanks for reducing the fear factor which is understandably encountered by those about to enter the unfamiliar arena of a court or tribunal.

An added benefit is that witnesses who have been trained are more likely to give their evidence concisely, thereby enabling adherence to the timetable set by the court.

David Burnside
Solicitor
Aberdeen