No one walks into the court intending to lose a case. But your desires cannot dictate the outcome because the court favours legitimate proof of truth. So, even if you know you have a rightful claim, you must prove it before a jury and judge.
This can take days, weeks, or even years depending on the nature of the case, the time it takes to gather evidence, or the defence’s course of action.
That said, we’ve listed a few handy tips to help you increase your chances of winning a lawsuit. These include:
1. Hire a Good Lawyer
Not to sound like a broken record, but hiring a good lawyer should always be your top priority if you want to increase your chances of winning a lawsuit. There are many competent lawyers out there. Still, you have to choose someone who has experience dealing with your particular type of claim.
You can’t expect a divorce lawyer to help you get compensation for a healthcare provider’s medical negligence, can you? Similarly, if you feel your employer terminated you without proper reason, consider seeking legal advice from unfair dismissal lawyers to increase your chances of earning justice.
A lawyer specializing in a particular niche knows all the technicalities related to cases and can provide better legal help to clients.
2. Do Your Homework
Doing your homework ensures that you have all the relevant documents and proof to make a strong case before a court. So, you should look into state laws to begin understanding your case and start collecting evidence.
You can also consult your lawyer about what evidence you need to strengthen your lawsuit. Preliminary research will help you identify your chances of receiving a favourable judgment based on your evidence and state laws. If you stand very little chance, you can decide to avoid the trouble altogether.
3. Prepare Your Case for the Court
To prepare a claim, you must understand a few things, including
- The law
- Legal procedures concerning your claim
- Facts concerning their case
When preparing to present a case in court, you must be alert, and well-organized, and learn to plan ahead of the defendant. To do that, you can take the following steps:
- Write important things down
- Organize your ideas and thoughts
- Ask questions from your lawyer
- Do a thorough research if possible
- Observe/read cases relevant to yours if it is possible
Taking these steps will ensure that you are well-prepared to handle the case in court.
4. Be Confident and Have Good Body Language
Having confidence and good body language works well in every aspect of life. Even though this may be more important for your lawyer, you cannot appear less confident and disinterested in your claim. The jury will notice every word you say and every muscle you move.
Therefore, it is essential to maintain good body language throughout the proceedings for the jury to take you seriously. Poor confidence and lack of interest can tilt the decision in favour of the defendant. If you’re opting for an out-of-court settlement, poor demeanour can quickly lead the defendant’s legal team to bulldoze you and force you to come to terms with an unfair agreement.
5. Prepare Your Story
You will have to recount your account several times before a judge and jury. Hence, your account must be consistent for the judge and the jury to relate to your situation. You must be ready to convey your message in a way that influences the audience even under the pressure of a trial.
If you are not prepared and plan to wing your statements and stories, they won’t hold much value, no matter how true they are. Instead, you must contemplate what you want to state and practice saying it several times before making an appearance in a courtroom. Sit down with your lawyer and go over your details multiple times to prepare for every possible curveball the defendant’s lawyer throws your way.
6. Stay Calm At All Times
No one likes a person who shows unnecessary aggression in a courtroom, especially in a place that calls for proper etiquette. Therefore, you must remain calm and pleasant to even the opposing party during any formal proceedings. If you show your kindness and generosity, it may tilt the verdict in your favour as the jury will believe you are a decent human being.
Therefore, it will lead them to assume the best scenario related to you. Every word you say will hold more weight. Raging emotions can make you say or do things that will not work in your favour. Keep in mind that the defendant’s attorney will try to trigger you, but you mustn’t give in to your anger.
7. Follow Up Continuously
Regular follow-ups will ensure that you stay on top of important dates and case updates. Some claims are bound by time, and you don’t want to decrease your chances of winning because you missed out on deadlines for filing papers or collecting evidence in time.
In addition, you must also stay in touch with your case witnesses and ensure their safety. Review statements and help them prepare for the trial so they don’t end up saying anything that can harm your case. If you have any questions, consult your lawyer and keep them in touch with every progress.
Conclusion
Fighting a legal battle may seem exhausting. But you can breeze through it if you’re ready and know what you’re doing. For starters, being aware of your rights, laws, and regulations can prove to be very helpful. Hence doing your research can help you prepare a solid case with a good lawyer of your choice.
Apart from that, preparing for your case by gathering documents and necessary evidence and learning how to convince the jury can help you earn a favourable verdict.