9 January Case Updates Judicial analysis of written expert healthcare evidence 07. Receiving Instructions This is an important judgment for experts who prepare personal injury reports in the Republic of Ireland but also for all experts, in all of the jurisdictions in the British Isles, for its description of the judicial analysis of expert evidence. It deals with procedure in Ireland for the instruction of specialist medical experts through plaintiffs’ general practitioners. Lynch v Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland [2024] IEHC 587
7 January Case Updates Alan Prescott-Brann v Chelsea and Westminster’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust & Anor [2024] EWHC 3314 (KB) 06. Rules and Regulations, 11. Report Writing, 14. Changing your opinion The Appellant was given permission to change neurology experts after the judge found that the application was not so late as to be prejudicial to the Respondents, and that the Appellant was not engaging in expert shopping.
6 January News New Immigration and Asylum Practice Direction The new Practice Direction of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber of the First Tier Tribunal came into force on 1 November 2024. The Practice Direction makes several changes to how appeals should be prepared.
3 January News Kay Linnell awarded OBE in New Year Honours List Post Office, Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, Post Office Scandal, Kay Linnell Dr Linnell received the award for services to Justice.
19 December Podcast Podcast Episode 7: Review of 2024 Credibility, Range of Opinion, Fundamental dishonesty, 16. Criticism and Complaints, 10. Records Assessments and Site Visits, 05. Alternative Dispute Resolution, 06. Rules and Regulations, 11. Report Writing, 14. Changing your opinion, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 15. Giving Oral Evidence In the last podcast for 2024, we look back at the ten key issues for expert witnesses that we've seen over the course of 2024, and highlight the ten things to look out for in 2025. From knowing and complying with your duties, to reevaluating and changing you opinion and handling fundamental dishonesty, this year in review has it all.
19 December Case Updates When expert evidence falls well below the standard of a competent expert witness Psychology, Psychiatry, 16. Criticism and Complaints, 10. Records Assessments and Site Visits, 06. Rules and Regulations, 11. Report Writing, 14. Changing your opinion, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 15. Giving Oral Evidence The judge found that the evidence of the claimants' psychological expert fell well below the standard to be expected of a competent expert witness, both as to form and as to substance. Rashpal Samrai & Ors v Rajinder Kalia [2024] EWHC 3143 (KB)
19 December News The EWI to leave X Social media, 04. Marketing The Expert Witness Institute has made the decision to discontinue its presence on X (formerly Twitter).
19 December News EWI Refreshes Core Training offering Legal role of an expert witness, 17. Maintaining your professional edge, 11. Report Writing, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 15. Giving Oral Evidence The Expert Witness Institute (EWI) is excited to announce a refresh of its core training offering.
18 December Case Updates A fundamentally dishonest claimant This case concerns a fundamentally dishonest claimant. The judge held that the experts in the case were reliant on self-reporting by the claimant, who the judge found to be wholly unreliable, as to the extent to which the alleged injuries suffered had impacted her life. Scully -v- Atherton (& others) E13YX311
13 December News Transparency and Open Justice Board Key Objectives Transparency and Open Justice, 06. Rules and Regulations, 11. Report Writing, 15. Giving Oral Evidence Board is now engaging on its proposed Key Objectives. The Key Objectives represent the high-level outcomes that, once finalised, will guide the Board’s work. They will be used to identify areas where changes can and should be made, as well as to measure the outcomes from any change programme.