Practice mode · Taking a Deposition
How to take a deposition: practice pinning down an evasive witness
Ask one fact per question, start broad and then narrow, and close every exit: when the witness hedges or says “I don’t recall,” pin down what they do remember, what would refresh their memory, and who else would know. Keep questions short, let the witness finish, and make sure the transcript will read clearly on its own. Practice as the lawyer with a witness who is evasive, coached or talks too much while their counsel objects to form.
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Updated October 2026
Who it's for
Who this practice is for
- New lawyers who want to practice questioning a witness before the real thing.
- Law students learning how to build a clean record one fact at a time.
- Paralegals helping prepare deposition outlines and follow-up questions.
- Anyone who wants to get better at asking short questions and getting clear answers.
What happens
How a session goes
- You choose how the witness testifies: Evasive, Coached, or Talker.
- You take the deposition by talking out loud; the witness answers and their counsel may object to form.
- You ask one fact at a time and close every exit when the witness hedges or forgets.
Real lines from a test session
What the AI said in a test session
“Good morning. My current job title is maintenance supervisor at FitZone Gym. I've held that position for about three years now.”
“I am responsible for making the entries in the maintenance logs myself. I personally record each inspection, the date it was performed, what was checked, and any findings or repairs needed.”
“Under oath, I am stating that the maintenance log I keep does not contain any written complaints about that ProForm Pro 2000 treadmill prior to June 12th. That is my testimony.”
From a test session of this practice in the app, lightly trimmed. Your session goes its own way: the character reacts to what you say.
The scorecard
What the scorecard looked like in a test run
What went well: You consistently stopped rambling witnesses and refocused them on a yes/no answer, as when you cut off 'I believe' and demanded a sworn answer.
Real scorecard output from one of our test runs. In test runs the practice answers are written by a test script, not by a customer.
What good looks like
What a strong answer does here
- Precision: you ask one fact at a time and get a clear answer.
- Control: you keep the witness from wandering or explaining too much.
- Exhaustion: you close every exit so the witness cannot hedge or forget.
- Record: you build a transcript with clean, usable answers for trial.
Scored on:
- Precision
- Control
- Exhaustion
- Record
Common mistakes
Weak lines, and what to say instead
Weak: “So you don't remember anything about that day?”
Better: “Do you remember signing the maintenance log on June 12th?”
A narrow question gets a yes or no. A broad one lets the witness say 'I don't recall.'
Weak: “Can you explain what happened next?”
Better: “What did you write in the log after the inspection?”
Open questions let a talker volunteer and wander. Pin down one fact.
Weak: “You said you were there, right?”
Better: “You testified you were present at 9 a.m. Is that correct?”
Leading with 'right?' invites argument. Use the record to lock the fact.
Weak: “I think you're lying about that.”
Better: “Your log shows no complaint before June 12th. Do you agree?”
Arguments give the witness room. A document-based question closes the exit.
Taking a Deposition: set the scene in a few seconds, or pick a ready-made scenario.
Try it free, no signupMake this useful for your next conversation
Your taking a deposition practice plan
- Organize the topics and evidence
- Exhaust the witness’s account precisely
- Keep a usable record
Start with a free worksheet, then test your own response with a voice or text roleplay. Your first complete coaching report is free once across all areas. Create a free account to save your goal, actual words, and downloadable notes.
Need repeated practice? $4.99 once buys 100 rounds across every mode and full coaching on every report. Rounds never expire; no subscription is required.
FAQ
Questions about Taking a Deposition
What is Taking a Deposition?
It is a practice mode where you are the lawyer taking a deposition. The AI witness hedges, forgets, or explains too much. You ask one fact at a time, close every exit, and build a transcript you can use at trial. Try it free →
How does a session work?
You pick how the witness testifies: Evasive, Coached, or Talker. Then you take the deposition by talking out loud. The witness answers, and their counsel sometimes objects to form. Try it free →
What do the scoring dimensions mean?
Precision is asking one fact at a time. Control is keeping the witness from wandering. Exhaustion is closing every exit so they cannot hedge. Record is building a transcript with clean answers. Each gets a bar, and you get one top priority to work on next time. Try it free →
Is this legal advice?
No. This is training practice, not legal advice. It is a safe place to try questions and see what happens. You can type instead of talking at any time. Try it free →
Training practice, not legal advice.
Try Taking a Deposition free
4 free rounds now, no signup. 7 with a free account. Then $4.99 for 100 rounds, one time, with no subscription. Plans are there if you practice every day.
Try it free, no signupBuilt by Matthew, a solo founder. Questions? Email support@getadversaryai.com, I read every message.