The Expert Witness

Expert advice and evidence can be crucial to the outcome of many legal disputes. Specialist opinion in cases about technical or scientific matters is used by the court to aid comprehension of the finer details and in the interpretation of the facts. Many consultants appearing as experts have no experience or formal training in court procedure, unlike legal practitioners, thus are unprepared for the rigours of cross-examination. Consequently, although they may know their subject very well, they may not be able to convey it in a manner that the court will understand. There is also a significant risk that the presentation may leave the expert open to being discredited by examining counsel, or worse, by the field in which they have gained their technical expertise.Fortunately, the skills required to produce a well-written expert’s report and to perform competently in the witness box can be taught; this book exists for that purpose. Gill Davies, in association with Bond Solon Training, who run courses to train expert witnesses in court techniques, has used her vast experience in the field to update this important book to a third edition. It has been revised to take account of the changes in practice and procedure, including the way experts are appointed, expert witnesses at meetings, the amount of input required from experts and the impact of the new Criminal Procedure Rules upon the role of the expert witness. Based upon the Bond Solon Training course materials and content, and with the objective of leading experts to ensure that a case benefits from the full value of their technical knowledge, this book will prove an invaluable guide for anyone considering appearing in court as an expert witness.