Industry experts sometimes make poor expert witnesses because of their unfamiliarity with their role and duty to the court, James Stanbury, partner at RGL Forensics, writes in this week’s NLJ. He focuses on four key stages for an expert: selection; instruction; reports; and meetings. Instructions should be timely and clear, early instructions can reduce costs and allow matters of strategic importance to be highlighted earlier in the process. Discussions between experts are an essential part of the process, and too much solicitor involvement in these may hinder rather than help the process as well as risk compromising the experts’ independence.
02 June 2017
Expert business
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Church Court Chambers—Maryam Syed KC
Church Court Chambers welcomes Maryam Syed KC
Devonshires—Sean Garbutt
Devonshires strengthens construction team with appointment of partner Sean Garbutt
Thackray Williams—Alexandra Hubbard
Thackray Williams strengthens employment team with dual-qualified solicitor
NEWS
Judges and lawyers reviewing the rules of disclosure have ruled out a return to the old system of CPR Part 31, and will consult on proposals to simplify the Practice Direction (PD) 57AD regime by early next year
A consumer organisation has hit back at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for encouraging motor finance compensation claimants to steer clear of law firms and claims management companies
A fast, free and anonymous piece of software has been launched to help law practices comply with their regulatory duty to guard against an increasing onslaught of cyberattacks
A mood of cautious optimism has enveloped the criminal law sector following indications the prime minister may abandon planned jury reforms
The Court of Appeal has held user damages are recoverable in a competition claim, in Meta Platforms Inc and other companies v Gormsen [2026] EWCA Civ 993
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