This week’s NLJ looks at decisions made by Lucy Letby’s defence team, explains why corroborative information in psychological reports is vital, and shares how to gain best value from forensic experts, in a special expert witness triple-bill
First up, Mark Solon, chairman, Wilmington Legal, and founder of Bond Solon considers reasons why Letby’s lawyers may have chosen not to call their expert witnesses to the stand. He writes: ‘As in a game of chess, every move has consequences.’ Solon outlines the potential risks as well as benefits of oral testimony.
Next, clinical and forensic psychologist Dr Tanya Garrett explains why it is essential to include corroborative information in psychological reports. However, it can sometimes be difficult to do this and, once obtained, documents may be full of unnecessary redactions. Garrett offers valuable advice on how to pre-empt or overcome obstacles when obtaining medical records and other corroborative information.
Last but not least, Rakesh Kapila, principal at Sim Kapila, shares his advice on how to obtain best value when instructing forensic accountants. As Kapila writes, ‘it is important input from experts is cost-effective and timely given that their costs can be a significant element in cases involving the use of experts’.
