Questions and Answers

Mr Niall Craig is a Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon and Expert Witness specialising in complex spinal cases. He tells us about his professional journey and shares his advice for being cross examined, writing Reports, and getting referrals.  

Vanessa Jane Davies is the founder of Skin Camouflage Services, an independent expert practice offering paramedical skin camouflage, non-invasive scar therapy, and Expert Witness services. The UK’s most experienced provider of Expert Witness opinion on paramedical skin camouflage, Vanessa has provided expert testimony in over 650 cases. She tells us more about her fascinating line of work and why she finds Expert Witness work so rewarding.

We speak to a consultant Speech and Language Therapist providing assessments for Special Educational Need (SEND) tribunals and writing medicolegal reports for educational negligence and personal injury cases. Here, they tell us more about their Expert Witness work, explains why they find it so meaningful, and how they balance it with their clinical and voluntary commitments.

Dr Richard Taylor is an Expert in the identification, verification and valuation of diamonds, gemstones, jewellery, watches, silver and antiques. He tells us how got into Expert Witness work, what he loves about it, and why he likens being cross-examined to playing chess.

Marisa Shek is a Healthcare Architect and owner of Shek Architects. As an Expert Witness, she specialises in the field of accommodation for disabled people in personal injury and clinical negligence litigation. Here, she tells us how she became an Expert Witness and why her work continues to inspire her.   

Susan Jones, founder of SJ Consultancy, has been a town planning consultant for over 40 years. As an Expert Witness, she provides evidence at public inquiries, hearings and in court. Here, she tells us about her career; explains why she enjoys being an Expert Witness; and shares her advice for other Experts.

Dr. Rohit Seth is trained in Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hair Transplant Surgery with over 20 years of surgical experience. A practicing clinician and Expert Witness, he shares how he balances a busy private surgical career with expert reporting and what makes this work both intellectually rigorous and professionally rewarding.

Ryan Shields is a digital forensics expert who has worked in the police and private sector. Here, he explains why he is passionate about using his expertise as an Expert Witness and shares his advice for others considering joining the Expert world.

Chris Cox is a professional heritage consultant, specialist interpreter of aerial imagery and Lidar data, and an Expert Witness. She is the Director of Air Photo Services Ltd.

Heather Rogers is an accountant, tax practitioner and Expert Witness. Most of her cases involve director disputes or professional negligence where there is a financial element. She runs her own consultancy, Aston Accountancy Limited.

Colin Holburn is an EWI fellow, governor and founding member. A consultant in accident and emergency medicine, he has been practising as an Expert Witness for over 30 years. He tells us why he still loves Expert work and shares his advice for those interested in getting into the field.

Uwe Wystup is a practitioner in the field of foreign exchange options, as well as a senior academic, trainer, and judge. He is the founder of MathFinance, a consulting and software company specialising in quantitative finance and risk management and providing expert witness services.

Sue Lightman is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Consultant Ophthalmologist who has been undertaking medicolegal Expert Witness work for over 20 years. Here, she explains how she got involved in expert work, why it keeps her interested, and shares her advice for other medical professionals interested in getting into the Expert Witness world.

Tim White is a chartered chemist who uses his expertise to assess chemical risk from exposure to water. He has been an Expert Witness for over 40 years, advising on cases relating to water quality, land contamination and corrosion.

Jerry Ponder uses his 40+ years of experience in fitted interiors to provide expert evidence on the design, product quality, installation and project management standards of fitted kitchens, bathrooms, any other fitted furniture projects. One of the only Expert Witnesses in his field, he tells us about how he got into it, his experience in the witness box, and the importance of good training.

Tom Magner provides independent technical assistance as an Expert Witness. Specialising in the forensic investigation of mechanical, electrical, and chemical incidents, Tom has carved out a niche working on holiday and travel claims in civil cases and, on occasion, fatal incidents in foreign criminal courts. He gives us an insight into his varied career; explains why he now speaks native-level Spanish; and shares his tips for going to court.

Efstathios Maliakis is senior electrical engineer with 20 years’ experience, including 10 years supervising the construction of power plants. A full time Expert Witness since 2021, he tells us what led him to the profession, why he feels he’s found his perfect match career-wise, and his advice for aspiring Expert Witnesses.

One of the UK’s leading experts in Japanese knotweed, Dr Paul Beckett has been providing Expert Witness services since the early 2000s. He shares his insights into being part of a relatively new area of litigation; what makes a good Expert Witness; and why he approaches court like revising for an exam.

Rod Appleyard has been practising as an Expert Witness for almost 28 years, specialising in the forensic investigation of fenestration and building envelope defects. He shares what led him to the Expert Witness field; his advice for starting out; and why volunteering in a war zone changed his outlook on work and life.   

EWI Honorary Fellow Tony Saggers has been a drug trafficking Expert Witness since 1995, alongside a career in law enforcement that spanned 30 years. Formerly the National Crime Agency’s Head of Drugs Threat and Intelligence, he now runs a consultancy providing anti-organised crime strategy solutions, child safeguarding from criminal exploitation advice, and Expert Witness training. Here, he provides a glimpse into his long and varied career and explains the importance of impartiality, communication, and evolution in the Expert Witness field.