> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.litigationlabs.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Phases of Trial
> Understanding the sequential structure of courtroom proceedings
# Phases of Trial
LitigationLabs simulations follow the sequential structure of actual trial proceedings. Understanding these phases helps you anticipate what comes next and prepare accordingly.
## The Trial Sequence
A complete trial simulation progresses through defined phases:
```
Pretrial → Opening → Plaintiff's Case → Defendant's Case → Closing → Ended
```
Within the case-in-chief phases, witness examinations follow their own sequence:
```
Direct Examination → Cross-Examination → Redirect → Recross
```
## Phase Descriptions
### Pretrial
The pretrial phase prepares you for the examination ahead.
**What happens:**
* Review case materials and scenario details
* Study witness profiles and their backgrounds
* Examine available evidence and exhibits
* Identify the elicits you need to establish
**Your role:**
* Familiarize yourself with the case facts
* Plan your examination strategy
* Note potential objection points
* Prepare your theory of the case
**Duration:** As long as you need; proceed when ready.
### Opening Statements
Opening statements frame the case for the factfinder.
**What happens:**
* The judge delivers preliminary instructions
* Parties present their opening statements
* The narrative for each side is established
**Your role:**
* Deliver your opening statement (if enabled)
* Listen to opposing counsel's opening
* Note promises made that you can later exploit
**Note:** Opening statements are not evidence. They preview what each side intends to prove.
### Plaintiff's Case-in-Chief
The plaintiff presents their case first.
**If you represent the plaintiff:**
* Call your witnesses
* Conduct direct examination
* Introduce evidence through witnesses
* Respond to cross-examination of your witnesses
**If you represent the defendant:**
* Cross-examine plaintiff's witnesses
* Raise appropriate objections
* Challenge the foundation for evidence
* Note inconsistencies for closing argument
### Defendant's Case-in-Chief
After the plaintiff rests, the defendant presents their case.
**If you represent the defendant:**
* Call your witnesses
* Conduct direct examination
* Introduce evidence through witnesses
* Respond to cross-examination of your witnesses
**If you represent the plaintiff:**
* Cross-examine defendant's witnesses
* Raise appropriate objections
* Challenge credibility and foundation
* Prepare for rebuttal
### Closing Arguments
Closing arguments summarize the evidence and argue for your theory.
**What happens:**
* Each side presents closing argument
* Arguments reference testimony already given
* The case is submitted for decision
**Your role:**
* Deliver your closing argument (if enabled)
* Reference established elicits
* Address weaknesses in your case
* Highlight opponent's failures of proof
### Ended
The simulation concludes with session summary and scoring.
## Witness Examination Phases
Within each case-in-chief, individual witnesses proceed through examination phases:
### Direct Examination
**Purpose:** Present favorable testimony through your own witnesses.
**Characteristics:**
* Open-ended questions preferred
* Leading questions generally prohibited
* Establish foundation for evidence
* Extract the testimony supporting your case
**Rules:**
* Cannot suggest answers to your witness
* Must establish personal knowledge
* Cannot introduce hearsay without exception
**Q:** Please state your name for the record.
**A:** Jennifer Walsh.
**Q:** Ms. Walsh, what is your occupation?
**A:** I'm an accountant at Morrison Financial.
**Q:** How long have you held that position?
**A:** Approximately seven years.
**Q:** Directing your attention to March 15th of last year, did anything unusual occur?
**A:** Yes. I discovered discrepancies in the quarterly reports.
### Cross-Examination
**Purpose:** Challenge and test testimony from opposing witnesses.
**Characteristics:**
* Leading questions permitted and expected
* Scope generally limited to direct examination topics
* Attack credibility, bias, or accuracy
* Elicit admissions favorable to your case
**Rules:**
* Must stay within scope of direct (with exceptions)
* Cannot argue with the witness
* Cannot mischaracterize prior testimony
**Cross-Examination Outline:**
When transitioning to cross-examination, CaseSim generates an AI-powered outline:
* Strategic summary analyzing the witness's vulnerabilities
* Prioritized rebuttal items to address
* Editable before proceeding to cross
**Rebuttals Sheet:**
During cross-examination, a dedicated panel tracks:
* Rebuttal opportunities with priority levels (High=6pts, Medium=4pts, Low=2pts)
* Your progress addressing each item
* OCA coverage when they cross-examine your witnesses
**Q:** Ms. Walsh, you testified you discovered discrepancies on March 15th, correct?
**A:** Yes.
**Q:** But you didn't report them until April 3rd, isn't that right?
**A:** That's correct.
**Q:** Nearly three weeks later?
**A:** Yes.
**Q:** And during those three weeks, you spoke with Mr. Morrison about the reports?
**A:** I did, yes.
**Q:** Multiple times?
**A:** A few times.
### Redirect Examination
**Purpose:** Rehabilitate your witness after cross-examination.
**Characteristics:**
* Limited to matters raised on cross
* Opportunity to clarify or explain
* Cannot introduce new topics
* Repair damage done during cross
**When to use:**
* Witness made damaging admission that needs context
* Cross-examination created misleading impression
* Witness was confused by question framing
**Q:** Ms. Walsh, opposing counsel asked about the three-week delay in reporting. Can you explain why you waited?
**A:** Yes. Company policy required me to first verify the discrepancies internally before escalating. I spent those three weeks documenting and confirming my findings.
**Q:** Was there any other reason for the delay?
**A:** I was also consulting with the compliance department to understand proper reporting procedures.
### Recross-Examination
**Purpose:** Address new matters raised on redirect.
**Characteristics:**
* Strictly limited to redirect scope
* Usually brief
* Final opportunity to challenge the witness
* Not always necessary
## Phase Transitions
The platform guides you through phase transitions with clear indicators.
### Transition Controls
When ready to proceed:
1. **Proceed button**: Advance to the next phase or witness
2. **Phase indicator**: Visual display of current and upcoming phases
3. **Transition confirmation**: System confirms the phase change
### Automatic Transitions
Some transitions occur automatically:
* After direct examination, cross-examination begins
* After all witnesses are examined, the phase advances
* Session concludes when all phases complete
### Strategic Decisions
At certain points, you make strategic choices:
* **Which witness to call**: Order of witness presentation
* **Whether to redirect**: After cross-examination
* **When to rest**: Conclude your case-in-chief
## Phase-Specific Strategies
### Opening Phase Strategy
* Focus on your theory of the case
* Preview key evidence without over-promising
* Establish credibility with the factfinder
* Note opponent's commitments for later reference
### Direct Examination Strategy
* Build foundation before seeking key admissions
* Use chronological organization when appropriate
* Let the witness tell the story
* Save strongest points for emphasis
### Cross-Examination Strategy
* Know your goals before beginning
* Use leading questions to control the witness
* Commit the witness to positions before challenging
* Know when to stop (after getting what you need)
### Closing Strategy
* Synthesize testimony into your narrative
* Address weaknesses before opponent does
* Highlight opponent's failures of proof
* End with your strongest argument
## Phase Tracking in the Interface
### Progress Bar
The phase progress bar displays:
* Current phase (highlighted)
* Completed phases (marked)
* Upcoming phases (visible but inactive)
* Witness progress within current phase
### Status Bar
The case status bar shows:
* Active phase name
* Current witness (if in examination)
* Time elapsed
* Overall session progress
### Witness Toolbar
During examination phases:
* Current witness identity
* Examination type (direct/cross)
* Elicit progress for this witness
* Witness credibility state
## Rebuttal and Surrebuttal
In some scenarios, additional phases exist:
### Rebuttal
After defendant's case, plaintiff may present rebuttal evidence:
* Limited to responding to defendant's case
* Cannot introduce new claims
* Addresses matters raised by defense
### Surrebuttal
Defendant's response to rebuttal:
* Limited to rebuttal scope
* Final opportunity for evidence
* Usually brief
### Rebuttal in LitigationLabs
The platform tracks rebuttal opportunities:
* **Rebuttals Sheet**: Displays prioritized rebuttal items during cross-examination with point values and coverage tracking
* **Cross-Examination Outlines**: AI-generated strategic summaries and action items for effective cross, editable before you begin
* **Phase indicators**: Clear display of rebuttal opportunities and witness progression
Understanding when rebuttal is available helps you plan your case presentation strategically.
## Witness Toolbar Features
Throughout examination phases, the Witness Toolbar provides:
### Phase-Based Elicit Display
Elicits are visually categorized by their relevance to the current phase:
* **Active elicits**: Emphasized with bright colors—pursue these now
* **Inactive elicits**: Muted with phase hints indicating when they become relevant
### Coverage Tracking
The toolbar tracks scoring for both sides:
* **Your elicits**: Marked with your symbol (π for plaintiff, Δ for defendant) in green
* **OCA elicits**: Marked with opponent's symbol in red
* **Auto-expand**: When OCA covers an elicit, the toolbar temporarily expands to show the update
### Focus Filters
Filter elicits by strategic value:
* **All**: View every elicit
* **Elicit**: Facts that strengthen your case
* **Counter**: Facts that weaken the opponent's case