Tuesday 7th February  - EWI Premises: 7 Warwick Court, London, WC1R 5DJ - 18.00-20.00
Speaker: EWI Governor Sandy Mackay
EWI Members - £40 Non Members - £60

13 years after the introduction of the Woolf Reforms... How well has the concept of the Single Joint Expert stood up in practice?

A considerable number of enquiries received by the EWI Helpline still     concern problems experienced by members who have been instructed as   Single Joint Experts.
What can we learn from the experience of others?

Our speaker will identify common problems encountered by the Single Joint    Expert and indicate the lessons to be learned. EWI Governor, Sandy Mackay will explain using his vast experience as a Single Joint expert witness how to conduct yourself in the difficult position that you may find yourself in as a Single Joint expert. This is an opportunity not to be missed to recount your own experiences and learn valuable lessons from other experts’ experiences.

What is a single joint expert?

When disputing parties are at a deadlock, sometimes the only way to settle the dispute is to appoint an expert (either pre-action or court appointed expert during proceedings). When both parties rely on expert evidence on a         particular issue, the evidence may be given by a single joint expert (as       opposed to separate experts appointed by each of the parties).

Practice Direction states:
"Where the evidence of an expert is necessary the parties should consider how best to minimise the expense [....] Many matters can and should be    resolved without the need for advice or evidence from an expert. If an expert is needed, the parties should consider how best to minimise the expense, for example by agreeing to instruct: The CPR encourages the use of single joint experts wherever possible. This saves on costs and also management time for dealing with both parties.”

Speaker: Sandy Mackay
Sandy is a Chartered Architect and is employed as a Principal Consultant at BRE. He is an EWI Governor and a member of both the Membership and Finance Committees. He has been involved in the investigation and rectification of building defects since 1980. His wide-ranging experience enables him to deal with more complex problems involving different aspects of building physics to arrive at practical and effective remedies. Recent cases have involved stone roofing, timber frame construction, chipboard flooring and water penetration through roofs and walls. He has given evidence in Court and at ADR hearings. He has also worked as a single joint expert on small disputes.

Monday 20th February - 18:00 - 20:00 - DMH Stallard, New Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 3BF
Wednesaday 23rd May - 18:00 - 20:00 - Pannone LLP, 123 Deansgate, Manchester
Speakers – EWI Governor Dr Harry Brunjes and EWI Fellow Dr Bob Goodall
EWI Members - £40 Non Members - £60

Dr’s Brunjes and Goodall will lead an interactive seminar to discuss latest developments in the medicolegal world. This will include an in depth discussion of common pitfalls in medical report writing and how to avoid them. The course will appeal to those new to expert witness work as well as provide a forum for more experienced medical experts to come and engage in healthy debate.

Other areas covered in the seminar will include:

• The issue of secondary correspondence – how to respond and how to reduce it.
• The eggshell skull concept.
• What do we mean – and what do lawyers (and claimants) understand by “acceleration”?  
• Pragmatism versus science and how should we respond to Jack Straw’s assertion that we are all third rate doctors!

Dr Harry Brünjes, BSc MBBS DRCOG FEWI
Dr Harry Brünjes is an EWI Governor and member of the Marketing and Events Committee. Dr Brünjes initially graduated from London University and then qualified in medicine at Guy’s Hospital. The Premier Medical Group developed from his Harley Street practice in 1995. There was an initial period of organic growth, followed by an acquisition strategy which culminated in a trade sale to Capita in 2010, with Harry remaining as Chairman of Premier Medical Group. He is also Group Medical Director of Capita, Non-Executive Director of The Good Care Group and Chairman of Woodsta Investments.

Harry is Chairman of Lancing College, Vice-President of the College of Medicine and a Board member of the Expert Witness Institute, Valderrama Golf Club and the English National Opera.

Dr. Bob Goodall, MBChB, DRCOG DA (Eng), FEWI Chief Medical Officer, Premier Medical Group
After graduating from Birmingham in 1979 Bob gained ‘post-grad’ diplomas in Gynaecology and Anaesthetics working in Midland hospitals. He then worked as a principal in General Practice and a hospital practitioner in anaesthetics before becoming medical adviser to Premier Medical upon its formation. Bob was appointed Premier’s Chief Medical Officer in 2002 and is currently Medical Director for the Premier Medical Group. He has been a member of the Expert Witness Institute since 2004 and in 2008 was appointed a Fellow and has published in their journal. He lectures regularly to lawyers and doctors on matters medicolegal.

After graduating from Birmingham in 1979 Bob gained post-graduate diplomas in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Anaesthetics working in Midland hospitals. He then worked as a principal in a rural Shropshire General Practice combined with a hospital practitioner position in Anaesthetics and Medical Officer for a community hospital.

Thursday 8th March - DMH Stallard, New Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 3BF - 18.00-20.00
Thursday 20th September - DMH Stallard, New Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 3BF - 18.00-20.00
Speaker: - EWI Governor Christopher Easton
EWI Members - £40 Non Members - £60

Judgment: Jones v Kaney

At this seminar EWI Governor Christopher Easton will discuss the ramifications of the landmark ruling: Jones v Kaney, and discuss what it means for experts witnesses. This seminar is essential for experts to keep au fait with current legislation and reinterpret their role in the legal machine.

“Expert witnesses have lost their immunity from being sued over matters   arising in the course of proceedings, following a landmark ruling [...]. By a  majority of five to two, the Supreme Court removed the 400-year-old protection that gave  expert witnesses immunity from suit for breach of duty whether in      contract or negligence, in relation to their participation in legal proceedings.”
(The Law Society Gazette)

 CPR PROTOCOL

It is a mandatory requirement of experts of any discipline to comply with the Civil Procedure Rules.  The Civil Procedure Rules changed at the end of 2009.
Do you know what those changes are? 
Are you up to date?
Your professional body may discipline you if you are non compliant.  There is a   protocol as to how experts should act and conduct themselves. 
Do you know it? 
Do you understand it? 
Do you comply?

Christopher Easton addresses these critical issues followed by a Q&A session. The seminar is suitable for all levels and all disciplines. It is applicable to the Civil      Procedure Rules only (not criminal).

 Speaker: Christopher Easton F.R.I.C.S M.B.Eng
Chris is the senior partner of Easton Bevins and manages the practice. Chris has over 30 years    experience as a Chartered Building Surveyor. Approximately 15 years ago Chris became heavily involved in litigation and arbitration and developed this area of the practice. He now regularly acts as an expert witness in building construction, contract disputes and negligence claims in the Technology and    Construction Division of the High Court. In 2003 Chris became a Member of the Expert Witness Institute. Chris is also a Fellow of the Royal Institution of        Chartered Surveyors and a Member of the Association of Building Engineers.

He attends County and High Court regularly and is trained in report   writing, court attendance, and single joint expert responsibilities, having completed the necessary training relating to the Civil Procedure Rules. Chris also has  extensive experience of The Housing Grants, Construction & Regeneration Act 1996, he is in the Law Society’s list of Expert Witnesses, a member of the Society of Expert    Witnesses is contained within the R.I.C.S Expert Witness Registration Scheme and has spoken across the country on CPR.

Tuesday 27th March 2012
18.00 – 20.00
RSM Tenon, The Poynt, 45 Wollaton Street, Nottingham, NG1 5FW
Speakers: EWI Committee Members: Jenny Cotton, David Smith
EWI Members - £40 Non Members - £60

This course is hosted by two experienced members of the Expert Witness Institute: Jenny Cotton and David Smith both serve on the Marketing, PR and Events Committee of the Institute. They are experienced experts with a wealth of knowledge in their individual fields of expertise, as well as being established expert witnesses.

This course will be beneficial to those who are relatively new to expert witness work, and are seeking to establish and familiarise themselves with the processes with which experts encounter in their everyday practise.

The course will also be useful to experts who have found their expert work has decreased. Particularly in relation to the recent economic climate. Our speakers will address issues to do with managing and marketing your expert witness practise. They will propose ideas and solutions of how to raise your profile amongst solicitors. It is also important to understand just what your institute can do for you and your work as an expert. Jenny and David will discuss the many ways the Expert Witness Institute can work in collaboration with you to increase the work you get as an expert.

Course Content:

• Understanding solicitors and how they work
• What lawyers expect from an Expert witness
• How lawyers select an Expert witness
• What an Expert witness should expect from lawyers

Speaker: Jenny Cotton
Jenny Cotton FCMI MEWI MIDM, founded Mortons Marketing in 1994 as an independent supplier of strategic marketing services based on market audit and other techniques. Jenny has been an   expert witness since 1997 in addition to her practitioner role       supplying commercial clients. Jenny has experience of evidence provision in the UK Appeal, Crown and High Courts, instructed by solicitors for claimants, defendants and the litigant in person as well as being an independent SJE.

Speaker: David Smith BSc, EWI Commitee Member, Senior Partner, Strange, Strange & Gardner.
Mr Smith completed a full Technician Apprenticeship with Alvis Ltd who sponsored him to complete his Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following qualification Mr Smith gained experience in industry with Coventry Climax and Rolls Royce, in 1980 he joining Strange, Strange and Gardner, he becoming a Partner in 1992 and Senior Partner in 2003.

Thursday 19th April - 18.00-20.00
DMH Stallard, 6 New Street Square, New Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 3BF
Speaker: Barrister Giles Eyre
EWI Members - £40 Non Members - £60

This course, presented by barrister Giles Eyre, will guide you on how to    provide a good quality medical report and evidence which communicates   effectively to the barrister what he or she needs to know. Giles, an              experienced barrister who has engaged a plethora of medical experts throughout his career, will share his experience of what makes for good medical    expert evidence.  Specific topics covered will include mis-understanding the CPR, legal probability and causation, addressing loss and damage, prognosis, the Bolam test and withstanding cross-examination.

Programme:
•         Applying medicine to the law, or the law to medicine?
•         Common problems with medical reports
•         What a barrister really needs from a medical expert
•         Towards a perfect medical report
•         The day of reckoning - preparing for court

This course will be an excellent introduction to medical expert work as well as an essential refresher for more experienced experts. There will be  opportunities for questions and discussion during the seminar.

Speaker:  Giles Eyre
Giles Eyre is co-author of the recent publication ‘Writing Medico-Legal    Reports in Civil Claims – an essential guide’ (Professional Solutions Publications), published in association with the EWI.  He is a barrister     practising from 9 Gough Square, London and has extensive experience in conducting and advising in personal injury, industrial disease and clinical negligence claims.  He regularly presents medico-legal seminars to medical experts.  He is also a Recorder and a mediator on the CEDR Solve Lead    Mediators Panel, and contributing editor to ‘Clinical Negligence Claims -     A Practical Guide’ (published by 9 Gough Square - 2008).

Tuesday 22nd May 18.00 – 20.00 RSM Tenon, The Poynt, 45 Wollaton Street, Nottingham, NG1 5FW
Tuesday 12th June –18.00-20.00 Pannone LLP, 123 Deansgate, Manchester
Speakers: EWI Committee Members: Jenny Cotton or David Smith
EWI Members - £40 Non Members - £60

The task of creating, managing and promoting yourself as an expert witness can be challenging. Professionals, who although being specialists in their own area of practice are often unsure of the principles of running what is essentially a micro business.

Attending this seminar will be a valuable experience for any expert witness who wants to fully capitalise on their expert knowledge.

The aim of the event is to provide you with knowledge that is immediately useful and practical.

How many of these questions can you answer positively?

· Are you getting enough instructions?
· Are the instructions of good quality?
· Is your practice maximising profitability?
· Are you being paid enough?

Programme
· Understanding the expert witness market
· Setting up your business
· Getting known, EWI – your professional body, websites, advertising,       exhibitions, specialist registers
· What the lawyers expect from expert witnesses
· How does a lawyer choose an expert witness
· Communicating your expertise to lawyers
· How the EWI can help – the expert referral service.

Speaker: Jenny Cotton
Jenny Cotton FCMI MEWI MIDM, founded Mortons Marketing in 1994 as an independent supplier of strategic marketing services based on market audit and other techniques. Jenny has been an   expert witness since 1997 in addition to her practitioner role       supplying commercial clients. Jenny has experience of evidence provision in the UK Appeal, Crown and High Courts, instructed by solicitors for claimants, defendants and the litigant in person as well as being an independent SJE.

Speaker: Roy Ilott
Roy Ilott FRICS set up his building surveying practice in 1980, after becoming a Chartered Building Surveyor in 1967. Over the last 12 years, based on considerable varied experience, he has    concentrated on providing professional services in defect analysis and dilapidations in buildings across Southern England.  This has led to numerous instructions as an expert witness, including giving evidence in Courts, Arbitrations and Tribunals.  Until last year he was Chairman of the RICS South East Region and represented the Region on Governing Council. In addition he has provided media involvement for the RICS in press, radio and TV.

Speaker: David Smith BSc, EWI Commitee Member, Senior Partner, Strange, Strange & Gardner.

Mr Smith completed a full Technician Apprenticeship with Alvis Ltd who sponsored him to complete his Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following qualification Mr Smith gained experience in industry with Coventry Climax and Rolls Royce, in 1980 he joining Strange, Strange and Gardner, he becoming a Partner in 1992 and Senior Partner in 2003.