header-logo header-logo

Behind the times?

08 November 2018 / Mark Solon
Issue: 7816 / Categories: Features , Expert Witness , Profession
printer mail-detail

Mark Solon offers tips on how to make sure your expert witness keeps up to date

  • An out of date expert witness is a dangerous expert witness and can create considerable risks for the instructing party.
  • So what should a solicitor look for in terms of currency before instructing a potential expert?

Expert witnesses obviously need to be up-to-date in their professional field, but they also need to be up to date in their role as an expert witness.

Clearly, instructing solicitors will want to know that the expert they choose is current in their professional field. Experts do have a sell by date and so those that have retired will have a limited time as an expert witness. Look for current practice and credibility. In civil matters, the time of the events in dispute will be relevant in the choice of expert.

Current knowledge

Professional practice changes all the time and the expert must have current knowledge. There are some exceptions, for example where medical practice at a point in time some

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll