In February's episode of the Expert Matters Podcast, we take a look at Feedback and Criticism. We go over the rules, discuss the key recent case of Kolomoisky, and hear the thoughts and advice of the members of the EWI Editorial Committee. As always, you can also listen to our 'What's going on at EWI' and 'Newsreel' segments to keep up-to-date on the latest developments in the world of expert witnesses and expert evidence. 

You can listen to the Expert Matters Podcast on a number of podcast apps, including spotify and apple podcasts. 

Dr Jane Duff is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Head of the National Spinal Injuries Centre Psychology Service, and an Expert Witness. Here, she tells us what she loves about her work and how her clinical and medicolegal roles come together to complement one another.

The claimant alleged that the second defendant, a Spanish racing driver, had repudiated a binding agreement under which he was contracted to drive for the claimants’ IndyCar team for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 racing seasons. The judge found some of the expert witnesses to be impressive and independent, while the expert evidence of others was unimpressive and disappointing.  

This case illustrates the factors taken into account in Scotland in deciding whether to grant an application for certification of an expert which is necessary if the charges of a skilled person are to be recovered from other parties by way of judicial expenses.

Grant v Lothian Buses LTD [2025] CSOH 98

The Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, chaired by Sir Brian Leveson, has just published Part 2 of the Review with 135 recommendations, including some relating to expert evidence. The Review was commissioned by the government because of the backlogs that have developed in the criminal justice system. 

The case was a group litigation concerning extensive oil pollution which affected two regions in the Niger Delta in Nigeria. The judge rejected the strident criticism of the experts who were called to provide evidence on aspects of Nigerian law.

It appears that in this case an expert recommended the appointment of an intermediary without understanding the role of an intermediary. The court did accommodate proper breaks and ensured clear explanations as to the charges faced.

R v Sartip-Zadeh [2025] EWCA Crim 1250

The defendant was contracted, during the Covid lockdowns, to source and supply sterile gowns, which the claimant subsequently asserted were not contractually compliant. Issues for expert evidence included the sterility of the gowns and whether the claimant could have mitigated the loss by resale.

The Forensic Science Regulator has published new Guidance on Forensic Science Activities: Interpretation and Communication. The Guidance applies to all practitioners and sets out principles and expectations for interpretation and communications of observations from forensic science activities. 

We have just completed the regular review of our Standard Expert Terms and Conditions of Engagement. The purpose of the Terms and Conditions is to help you ensure that you have appropriate contractual arrangements in place with the parties that instruct you.