“It’s important to, firstly, appreciate that feeling nervous prior to court is something that is experienced by many advocates in the legal profession.

“Even after having practised for almost 20 years, I still feel nervous when I appear in court for a client,” explained Ms Soto. 

“Preparation is key when settling nerves.”

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“I find that if I am impeccably prepared for a matter and I have envisaged the questions to be asked by the bench ahead of time, I am better able to manage the general nerves that are associated when appearing before a judicial officer or a tribunal.” 

Ms Soto shared some of the best advice she received from a judge she worked for when she was an associate. 

“[The judge] told me to ask for time from the bench if I didn’t know the answer to a question and/or needed time to refer/read a case that was mentioned by the bench. 

“It is OK not to know all the answers and completely appropriate to seek time to ventilate an issue,” she added. 

“Another piece of advice is to know who you are appearing before.”

“Ask people,” she said, “is the judge someone who requires short and sharp submissions, or when who requires to be taken to certain submissions at length?”

“You will be better able to address the bench more effectively (and with less stress) if you can moderate or tailor your submissions to the particular judicial officer,” she explained. “If you can’t ask someone, sit down and make your own assessments and observations.”

Carmel Lee, barrister at Greenway Chambers and winner of the Barrister of the Year category at the 2022 Women in Law Awards, commented.

“For me, the best advocacy advice was from Grant Brady SC in the Bar Practice course, who asked us to consider the four questions: ‘Who are you? What do you want? Why can you have it? Why should you have it?’ 

“My best tip for calming nerves prior to appearing in court is to consider and structure your response to those four questions, then prepare to present that response as simply and clearly as possible.

“Remember you are talking to a judicial officer or jury who is/are a person/people also.”

She continued: “Nerves are not always bad. In moderation, they can help boost adrenaline helping you to think clearly and perform at your best.

“They demonstrate you are taking your appearance in court seriously (as you should!).”

“Remember, everyone gets nervous, not just you.”

“I have had well-respected senior counsel tell me they still get nervous for court.” 

“Finally, oral advocacy becomes easier the more often you do it, so keep going!” advised Ms Lee.

Georgina Long, associate at Phi Finney McDonald, has experience in court as an instructing solicitor and associate to a justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, among other things. 

She gave several tips on cooling courtroom nerves. “Ignore the theatrics!” she advised.

“The courtroom is an extension of your workplace, you’re there to do a job, and the judge is just trying to understand your client’s position. 

“If you’re a solicitor or still at law school, get involved in Victorian Women Lawyers’ Warren Moot [or similar programs] to practise your advocacy and familiarise yourself with the courtroom.”

Ms Long shared advice from the Honourable former chief justice Marilyn Warren AC KC, president Karin Emerton and Justice Helen Rofe: “When the nerves creep up, remember it isn’t about you; you are there to advocate for your client, and you have a job to do.”

Chauntelle Ingenito, barrister at Chalfont Chambers, also spoke with Lawyers Weekly on the topic. 

It’s about “knowing the file”, she said. “I would make sure I knew as much as I could about the matter, the last court date, the future of the matter, and what the next steps would be.”

“On a personal level, I would also calm my nerves by walking to court 10 minutes earlier than I would have had to, putting some great music on (something upbeat) and taking a breath,” said Ms Ingenito. 

Ms Ingenito shared the best advice she received to calm nerves for court: “Do something you love before court. Drinking a good cup of coffee, having a favourite breakfast, going for a run, or doing some yoga!”

Calming nerves in virtual hearings

The practitioners spoke about how those appearing before the court in virtual hearings can settle their nerves before court when appearing online.

Ms Soto commented: “Treat the virtual environment as you would a normal courtroom.” 

“Dial in ahead of time and check if the connection works.”

“Preparation, preparation and then more preparation helps alleviate nerves in my experience.”

Ms Long commented: “Practice and familiarity with the technology can help settle nerves.”

“Like in a courtroom, ensure that counsel and instructing solicitors are clear on how they’ll communicate during the hearing to avoid wasting court time.

“And don’t forget to check your camera angles!”

Ms Ingenito shared her tips for virtual hearings: “Have all your screens open. Have a copy of the orders for the last five court appearances open. Have all documents open on your screens.” 

“Test your computer setup,” she added. “Dial in from your phone, so you can jump there in case of emergency if you also dial in on the computer.”

And lastly, “have a large cup of water handy,” Ms Ingenito said.