Developing a Trauma-Informed Practice

Wednesday 19 March - 12pm to 1pm

In order to practice in a trauma-informed way, we must first look inwards, fostering self-awareness and prioritising self-care. This session supports lawyers to develop awareness of the potential impact of exposure to heightened emotions, distressing material and trauma, equipping them with the tools to look after themselves. We also look at the effects of overwhelm and burnout – bringing awareness to the difference between stress and distress and how we can resource ourselves differently. This will include: 

• Understanding the impact of distress and trauma 

• Signs and symptoms for distress and trauma 

• Self-care tools designed to be woven into your busy working day to build resilience and protect against the impact of distress and vicarious trauma 

• The facilitation of a shared language around distress and trauma in order to build confidence in identification and communication 

• Real-life examples to model speaking up about vicarious trauma, including normalizing the variety of responses  

• Highlighting where signposting may be necessary  

Thursday 17 April, 1pm to 3pm

This session supports lawyers to understand, identify and respond to potential trauma-based responses from clients and witnesses in order to build rapport, secure best evidence and safeguard wellbeing.  

This is relevant across all practice areas – all clients and witnesses are human and underlying vulnerabilities, albeit well hidden at times, can be exacerbated by engaging in legal proceedings.  

This training includes:  

• A short recap on the impact of trauma and distress 

• An exploration of different types of trauma, how trauma may be presented or disguised, and how to identify potential trauma-based responses in a client or witness 

• An overview of appropriate language when talking about trauma 

• The effects trauma and distress may have in the context of legal proceedings, including in relation to memory, giving evidence and taking instructions 

• Practical guidance to support building relationships with clients and witnesses who may be experiencing trauma-based responses 

• Tools and skills to enable lawyers to resource themselves  

• Signposting of additional support 

To encourage meaningful discussion and interaction, this session is limited to just 25 delegates. 

Tuesday 20 May, 1pm to 3pm

This session follows on from sessions 1 and 2, focusing on trauma-informed practices in relation to witness handling, equipping lawyers with the tools to promote wellbeing and achieve best evidence.  

This training includes:  

• A reminder of the impact of trauma, different types of trauma, how trauma may present and how to identify potential trauma-based responses 

• An overview of appropriate language to use when talking about trauma 

• Developing frameworks for planning and conducting evidence-gathering interviews, including assessing trauma-based risks in relation to your witness, yourself and your team  

• An introduction to verbal and non-verbal communication and interview techniques  

• Scenario-based discussions to understand potential support in various contexts, e.g., courtroom litigation, disciplinary hearings, internal investigations 

• Resourcing and signposting  

To encourage meaningful discussion and interaction, this session is limited to just 25 delegates.