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The best fit

19 April 2013 / Dr Chris Pamplin
Issue: 7556 / Categories: Features , Expert Witness , Profession
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expertwitness

Chris Pamplin considers how easy it is to choose the right expert

In all cases involving expert evidence it is important to try to ensure that the expert selected has the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to provide a reasoned and valid opinion on the matters at issue. This may sound obvious and straightforward, and access to a resource like the UK Register of Expert Witnesses can help, but it is sometimes difficult to determine exactly what constitutes necessary skills, qualifications and experience and, in grey areas, what weight should be attached to the evidence of an expert whose experience does not match exactly the requirements of a particular case.

Patent difficulties

In DataCard Corporation v Eagle Technologies [2011] EWHC 244 (Pat), [2011] All ER (D) 199 (Feb) the High Court considered the differing qualifications of the expert witnesses involved and set out principles for weighing these qualifications.

The case revolved around the validity of patents related to different aspects of the printing of plastic cards, such as credit cards. DataCard

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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
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