Law, Procedure, Evidence & Best Practice for Investigations & Enquiries

The essential foundation course for every investigator, complaints manager and enforcement officer. Learn the investigative framework used by police forces and commercial investigators throughout the world, including the gathering of evidence in a manner which will not compromise its admissibility or effectiveness in court.

Learn how to identify the key issues in an enquiry and how to ensure the investigation focuses on them in a structured but flexible manner, dealing professionally with new developments, as they arise.

Understand the important principles for interviewing witnesses, and how the requirements change when interviewing the subject of a complaint, or a suspect in a criminal case. Become familiar with the PACE Codes of Practice.

Can you distinguish between facts and assumptions? (Can you really?). Do you appreciate the significance of the distinction and the problems that can arise from confusing them?

When is your opinion as an investigator, complaints manager, or enforcement officer relevant or important?

Learn the best practice guidelines for recording the progress of your investigation and the evidence you gather.

Understand when the Data Protection Act, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and Human Rights Act may apply to your internal investigation; and what you must and must not do in order to comply with the relevant provisions.

Complaints Investigation

Internal investigations into customer complaints, disciplinary breaches, health & safety or professional misconduct must be handled with impartiality, integrity and professionalism.

Learn best practice investigative methods employed by police forces and commercial investigators throughout the world to ensure thorough case analysis and the reliable collection, evaluation and preservation of evidence.

Understand the implications of your investigative methods when your enquiries might overlap with, or result in, civil or criminal proceedings. Will the evidence you have gathered be admissible in court, or have you compromised its integrity?

Understand when the Data Protection Act, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and Human Rights Act may apply to your internal investigation; and what you must and must not do in order to comply with the relevant provisions.

Learn the skill of Conversation Management, by using different questioning techniques in a deliberate and structured manner, and understand the problems you can create for yourself by asking questions in an unstructured way.

How can you really determine when someone is lying to you in an interview, and how do you deal with that problem in a constructive manner?

Gain a practical understanding of these core interviewing skills, and learn how to adapt them for the interviewee who is genuinely struggling to recall details, by using cognitive interviewing methods.

These professional interviewing skills can be used not just for investigative interviews, but as a basis for all interviews, e.g., recruitment, promotion and appraisals.

Advanced Statement and Report Writing

Consider the value of a 'house style' for your statements and reports, and design model formats or templates for the different functions they must serve.

Excellence in Written Evidence

How can you be sure your statement will serve its purpose? What is its true purpose?

What are the rules regarding the use and admissibility of written evidence?

How and when can written evidence be used in the absence of the person who wrote it? What are the legal requirements?

Learn how to organise and structure the content, to address the key issues in a professional and efficient manner. What does the court, tribunal, or panel expect your evidence to address?

If you are called as a witness, how will the quality of your written evidence impact on your experience in the witness box, and how can you influence that experience?

All of these key issues, and others, will be addressed on the Excellence in Written Evidence course.

Witness Familiarisation

Being called as a witness at any hearing, tribunal or trial can be a daunting and intimidating prospect, even for those who've done it before.

Understand how trials, inquests and hearings are conducted, and why. What are the procedures and protocols? What are trials really about? Who will be involved and what are their roles? How do you address them, professionally and respectfully?

What is your role as a witness? What must you do, and avoid doing, in order to fulfil that role?

How do you prepare to give evidence, and what will happen when you testify?

Learn the Court of Appeal guidelines on how to prepare within the law, and what you must not do if you want to avoid the risk of prosecution for perverting the course of justice, or for perjury.

This is an interesting, challenging and interactive course that will provide you with the knowledge and skills that are required by a professional witness.

When things go wrong, staff at all levels, from the CEO to the receptionist, may be called upon to give evidence in a court or tribunal. Knowing the truth is not enough. Giving evidence competently under intense questioning requires a unique set of skills.

Whether the case involves theft, assault, breach of contract, negligence, unfair dismissal or corporate manslaughter – your awareness of court and tribunal processes; understanding the lawyers' questioning strategies and the skills required to deal with them; and practical experience gained in a supportive training environment with constructive feedback - are all essential to your success. Don't leave the outcome of any trial or tribunal to chance.

You will gain an understanding of the potential challenges and consequences of a poorly written set of notes, whether hand-written or on computer, from both a legal and a clinical care perspective, and how to avoid them.

Effective Courtroom Practice for National Probation Service and YOTs 

You will learn court procedures, protocols and etiquette.

Understand the real purpose behind your role in court.

Gain an understanding of how your body language and vocal skills impact on your professionalism.

Learn how to handle any situation and answer any question in a calm, confident and professional manner.

Understand the role of adrenaline in court, how and why it effects you when you feel nervous, and how to combat the physical symptoms.

Learn how to become more confident and more fluent.

Learn important preparation and presentation skills.

Learn how to interrupt and intervene appropriately.

Learn how to conduct an uncontested breach hearing, how to apply for a warrant when the defendant fails to attend, and how to perform professionally as a witness at a contested breach hearing.

This is a practical, interactive, entertaining and highly-relevant course, essential for all court officers.

The Law of Self-Defence

Do you know what you are legally entitled to do if you are threatened or attacked?

The law allows you to use 'reasonable force' in self-defence, but how much force is reasonable? What if you make an error of judgement and hurt someone?

Can you ever justify a pre-emptive strike (throwing the first punch)? Or will you be charged with an offence? What will happen if you strike someone because you thought you were about to be attacked, but you were wrong?

How are s3 Criminal Law Act 1967 and s76 Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 relevant to you in the course of your work as a security officer, investigator, complaints manager or enforcement officer? Does the law impose different requirements or standards on you when operating in a professional rather than personal capacity?

Can you use a weapon to defend yourself? Can you chase someone and use force to detain them or recover property? All of these issues will be addressed and explained.

This course is essential for anyone who may find themselves involved in potentially confrontational situations in the course of their work, or elsewhere.