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24 June 2010 / Mark Solon
Issue: 7423 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Expert preparation

Mark Solon reports on the risks stemming from speculative expert evidence & a lack of preparation

The trial bundle must include all disclosed experts’ reports, relevant to matters that remain in dispute on which the parties seek to rely. In a complex case a separate bundle of the expert evidence might be necessary. Further steps to take are listed below:

(i) Ensure that you include the correct final served version of the expert’s report in the bundle.
(ii) Note that written questions on the experts’ reports, under CPR 35.6, and the experts’ replies form part of the reports and should be filed with them in the bundle.
(iii) Note that the joint statements of experts’ discussions under CPR 35.12 are not binding, and need not be included in the bundle, although they will be on the court file. If both parties are content to be bound by the statements then they should be included in the bundle.
(iv) Consider where to locate documents referred to in the experts’ reports. Witness statements, statements of case etc are best filed elsewhere. However,

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

London Solicitors Litigation Association—John McElroy

London Solicitors Litigation Association—John McElroy

Fieldfisher partner appointed president as LSLA marks milestone year

Kingsley Napley—Kirsty Churm & Olivia Stiles

Kingsley Napley—Kirsty Churm & Olivia Stiles

Firm promotes two lawyers to partnership across employment and family

Foot Anstey—five promotions

Foot Anstey—five promotions

Firm promotes five lawyers to partnership across key growth areas

NEWS
Freezing orders in divorce proceedings can unexpectedly ensnare third parties and disrupt businesses. In NLJ this week, Lucy James of Trowers & Hamlins explains how these orders—dubbed a ‘nuclear weapon’—preserve assets but can extend far beyond spouses to companies and business partners 
A Court of Appeal ruling has clarified that ‘rent’ must be monetary—excluding tenants paid in labour from statutory protection. In this week's NLJ, James Naylor explains Garraway v Phillips, where a tenant worked two days a week instead of paying rent
Three men wrongly imprisoned for a combined 77 years have been released—yet received ‘not a penny’ in compensation, exposing deep flaws in the justice system. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Jon Robins reports on Justin Plummer, Oliver Campbell and Peter Sullivan, whose convictions collapsed amid discredited forensics, ‘oppressive’ police interviews and unreliable ‘cell confessions’
A quiet month for employment cases still delivers key legal clarifications. In his latest Employment Law Brief for NLJ, Ian Smith reports that whistleblowing protection remains intact even where disclosures are partly self-serving, provided the worker reasonably believes they serve the ‘public interest’ 
Family law must shift from conflict-driven litigation to child-centred problem-solving, according to a major new report. Writing in NLJ this week, Caroline Bowden of Anthony Gold outlines findings showing overwhelming support for reform, with 92% agreeing lawyers owe duties to children as well as clients
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