Demeanor and Non-verbal Clues

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THE AUTHORS:
Bibi Badejo, Barrister and Joint Deputy Head of Chambers at 4 Brick Court
Ilka Beimel, Senior Associate at Noerr

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Lawyering Plus Webinar: S1 EP6

“Demeanor and non-verbal clues are powerful in law, shaping how evidence is perceived. A counsel’s composure can influence credibility and impact outcomes, proving that communication extends beyond words in and out of the hearing room.”

Bibi Badejo

About Lawyering Plus

Lawyering Plus is an initiative set up by Mihaela Apostol, Dr Ilka Beimel, and Svetlana Portman to help lawyers build soft skills. Lawyering Plus organises webinars and invites expert speakers to share tips on a particular soft skill. Each episode ends with an interactive Q&A segment. The first webinar season focuses on communication skills and comprises the following episodes: Communicating with Clients (E1), Communication within the Law Firm (E2), Communicating with Experts (E3), Written Advocacy (E4), Oral Advocacy (E5), and Non-verbal Communication (E6).

Sixth Episode: Demeanor and Non-verbal Clues

On Lawyering Plus’ sixth episode on communication, the Barrister and established advocacy trainer Bibi Badejo emphasized the importance of demeanor in court or other hearing rooms, which includes exuding authority, credibility, and control. She shares practical tips for making a strong first impression, such as being organized and maintaining eye contact.

Action Items

Throughout her presentation, Bibi provided valuable and practical action items:

• Plan your initial courtroom or hearing room entry and the first 30 seconds of interaction to create a powerful first impression.
• Perform a self-audit by recording yourself delivering advocacy. First, watch the video on mute, then listen to the audio, and thereafter read the transcript to identify areas for improvement in your demeanor and communication.
• Prepare a witness profile to understand their likely emotional state, communication style, and predictable triggers in order to shape your approach.
• Use deliberate movements, strategic facial expressions, and control of tempo to command the witness and courtroom.

Importance of Demeanor and Non-Verbal Cues

Bibi commenced the session by mentioning that an advocate can lose a case before speaking, emphasizing the importance of demeanor. She explained that demeanor involves exuding authority, credibility, and control, not just looking professional. Soft skills in advocacy are highly important, but unfortunately, they are not necessarily taught at law school.

First Impressions and Courtroom Presence

Bibi discussed the significance of first impressions and the importance of mastering one’s presence in the courtroom. An example of mastering presence is Judge Carl Heaton KC, who is meticulous about his appearance to convey professionalism and organization.

Advocates should plan their initial courtroom entry and consider how they want to be perceived: Think about an advocate who only carries what he or she needs, no oodles of things, but with a clean and neat desk prepared before the tribunal and others enter the hearing room. Compare this with an advocate who rushes into the hearing room with his or her coat and needs to unpack loads of things. Both will appear differently. There is a need for intentionality in presenting oneself to the court or tribunal, including setting up one’s materials neatly.

Commanding Space and Confidence

Bibi also talked about the importance of commanding space through confidence and projecting authority. Advocates should maintain eye contact, which gives authority, and use gestures and hand movements naturally. Advocates who do not look the judge or arbitrator in the eye lose the possibility of creating trust and credibility.

Another great way to command space and confidence is to use pauses to slow down when speaking quickly and maintain a deliberate pace.

Self-Awareness and Self-Audit

Linked to the ability to command space and confidence are the concept of self-awareness and the importance of understanding one’s own demeanor and non-verbal clues. Bibi recommended performing a self-audit by recording and reviewing advocacy performances to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, it is advisable to watch oneself on video, listen to the audio recording, and read the transcripts to gain self-awareness.

Take action to change what does not work, such as improving facial expressions and body language.

Reading Your Opponent and Witness

In addition to one’s own demeanor and non-verbal clues, Bibi discussed the importance of reading an opponent and understanding their demeanor and non-verbal clues. It can be very helpful to be able to decode an opposing counsel’s demeanor and look for signs of discomfort or emotional reactions.

Additionally, with regard to examining a witness, it is important to read one’s witness and understand their communication style and emotional state.

Controlling the Witness

Finally, and based on the importance of reading the witness, Bibi provided tips on how to control the witness and command the courtroom or hearing room space. Advocates should move deliberately, use expressions strategically, and control the tempo of the conversation. They can use non-verbal communication, such as raising an eyebrow or shaking one’s head, to signal importance or disapproval. This is particularly important when it comes to cross-examination: Advocates need to be in control and maintain composure.

The episode recording is available on the Lawyering Plus YouTube channel.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Bibi Badejo is Joint Deputy Head of Chambers at 4 Brick Court, specialising in children’s public law cases with expertise in forensic preparation, effective witness handling, and complex expert evidence. Bibi is also a recognised leader in advocacy training nationally and internationally: she is an accredited advocacy trainer at Inner Temple (teacher trainer level) and is the Criminal Course Director of the 2025 Keble Dutton Course. As the founder of The Advocacy Coach, she has trained trial lawyers from over 20 countries, delivering workshops and online courses aimed at enhancing their courtroom skills. Her internationally acclaimed The Advocacy Podcast provides practical advice for experienced trial lawyers.

Dr Ilka Beimel is a senior associate in Noerr’s dispute resolution team, based in Dusseldorf. She specialises in national and international dispute resolution before arbitral tribunals and state courts. Ilka advises and represents clients on complex cross-border disputes, especially corporate, liability and commercial disputes. She has particular experience in handling disputes involving international sales law. Ilka works as party representative, arbitrator and tribunal secretary. In these roles she gained experience in arbitration proceedings governed by DIS, CAM-CCBC, ICC, LCIA and VIAC Rules, as well as ad hoc proceedings.

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*The views and opinions expressed by authors are theirs and do not necessarily reflect those of their organizations, employers, or Daily Jus, Jus Mundi, or Jus Connect.