9 April News EWI publishes new Guidance on Expert Discussions and Joint Statements 06. Rules and Regulations, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements We have just refreshed our guidance on ‘Expert Discussions and Joint Statements' in the EWI Knowledge Hub (https://www.ewi.org.uk/Knowledge-Hub). Prepared with the input of members and the EWI Editorial Committee, the guidance includes lots of invaluable advice for navigating each of the key stages in expert discussions and joint statements, form and content, joint statement templates, and how to avoid the common pitfalls.
8 April Case Updates Nothing short of a demolition of the expert's evidence Paediatrics, 11. Report Writing, 14. Changing your opinion, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 15. Giving Oral Evidence, 16. Criticism and Complaints, Radiology The expert paediatrician in this case misidentified and confused twins when reading the primary medical disclose. This fundamental error was of seminal importance in this case because the twins had very different birth and post-birth experiences, with one being much weaker and more vulnerable than the other. The judge noted that the cross-examination of the expert was nothing short of a demolition of the expert’s evidence. LB Croydon v D (critical scrutiny of the paedeatric overview)
8 March Day in the life A Day in the Life of an Aerial Imagery Expert 01. Starting your Expert Witness Business, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 15. Giving Oral Evidence, Aerial Photography Chris Cox is a professional heritage consultant, specialist interpreter of aerial imagery and Lidar data, and an Expert Witness. She is the Director of Air Photo Services Ltd.
15 January Podcast Podcast Episode 8: Re-evaluating your opinion 06. Rules and Regulations, 11. Report Writing, 14. Changing your opinion, 08. Working with Instructing Parties, 12. Responding to questions, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 15. Giving Oral Evidence In the 8th episode of the Expert Matters Podcast, we discuss re-evaluating your opinion. We look at possible reasons why you might wish to re-evaluate your opinion and the stages in the proceedings where re-evaluation is most likely to occur, before hearing from three senior judges on how re-evaluating your opinion can sometimes be positive for your expert evidence, but may also be disastrous.
19 December Podcast Podcast Episode 7: Review of 2024 Credibility, Range of Opinion, Fundamental dishonesty, 06. Rules and Regulations, 11. Report Writing, 14. Changing your opinion, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 15. Giving Oral Evidence, 16. Criticism and Complaints, 10. Records Assessments and Site Visits, 05. Alternative Dispute Resolution In the last podcast for 2024, we look back at the ten key issues for expert witnesses that we've seen over the course of 2024, and highlight the ten things to look out for in 2025. From knowing and complying with your duties, to reevaluating and changing you opinion and handling fundamental dishonesty, this year in review has it all.
19 December Case Updates When expert evidence falls well below the standard of a competent expert witness Psychology, Psychiatry, 06. Rules and Regulations, 11. Report Writing, 14. Changing your opinion, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 15. Giving Oral Evidence, 16. Criticism and Complaints, 10. Records Assessments and Site Visits The judge found that the evidence of the claimants' psychological expert fell well below the standard to be expected of a competent expert witness, both as to form and as to substance. Rashpal Samrai & Ors v Rajinder Kalia [2024] EWHC 3143 (KB)
19 December News EWI Refreshes Core Training offering Legal role of an expert witness, 11. Report Writing, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 15. Giving Oral Evidence, 17. Maintaining your professional edge The Expert Witness Institute (EWI) is excited to announce a refresh of its core training offering.
19 November Case Updates When the joint statement is no more than really two statements, one from each expert. 11. Report Writing, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, Cryptocurrency The 'joint statement' prepared by two blockchain experts was really two statements, one from each expert. Fabrizio D'Aloia v Persons Unknown Category A & Ors [2024] EWHC 2342 (Ch)
14 November Case Updates The dangers of a considerable burden of expert work Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, 06. Rules and Regulations, 11. Report Writing, 14. Changing your opinion, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 16. Criticism and Complaints, Pathology, Histopathology, Radiology The court found that a highly respected and hugely experienced histopathologist expert witness, who was overburdened with work, had made errors in his examination of the forensic material and closed his mind to possible or probable accidental causes for the injuries identified. London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham v G [2024] EWHC 2200 (Fam)
6 November Case Updates Preliminary (pre-report) experts’ meetings 06. Rules and Regulations, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, Technology and Construction Court Experts, in particular medical experts, are likely to be familiar with experts’ discussions that take place after the exchange of reports. This case referred to a circumstance more commonly, or perhaps seldom otherwise, encountered in the Technology and Construction Court.