Which action constitutes coaching a witness and is prohibited?

• A. Advising the witness about the content they should give in evidence.
• B. Testing the witness's evidence in conference without suggesting content.
• C. Asking the witness if they recall events.
• D. Explaining what would be a reasonable line of questioning.

Answer: (A)

Coaching a witness means directing or shaping the substance of what they will say in their evidence. Advising the witness about the content they should give is coaching because it tells them what to say and how to phrase it, which compromises the witness’s independent recollection.

The other actions do not amount to coaching. Testing the witness’s evidence in conference without suggesting content is about checking consistency or understanding, not telling them what to say. Asking the witness if they recall events is a normal memory-recall question and does not dictate content. Explaining what would be a reasonable line of questioning is about anticipating questions rather than instructing the witness on their own testimony.