2019 AGM
27 members were present for the AGM which included discussion on the accounts, the actions the institute is taking to grow membership, an update on the certification scheme and EWI Singapore, and the possibility of running more regional events. New Executive Manager, Simon Berney-Edwards, explained some of the steps being taken to grow the membership in the short term as well as highlighting the importance of delivering training and events more locally to members; including webinars.
Sir Michael Davis Lecture
Following the AGM, the EWI were delighted to welcome The Rt. Hon Lord Justice Coulson (Deputy Head of Civil Justice). His lecture entitled 'Expert Evidence: How Not To Do It' was both entertaining and carried important messages for all Expert Witnesses.
Using illustrative examples, he highlighted the importance of "quacking" as an expert witness:
Q - Make sure you are appropriately qualified for the case.
U - Make sure you understand the scope, nature and extent of your duties to the Court.
A - Don't make arguments within your report.
C - Forget about the client. By thinking about their needs, you risk becoming impartial.
C - Understand your responsibilities to avoid criminal proceedings! As a result of a case, the courts have developed new guidance on what a judge should do if they believe is in contempt of court.
Lord Justice Coulson finished the lecture by saying that there "is a clear torch handed to EWI to make sure that some of the things that have happened don’t happen again.”
There will be a more detailed write up in the EWI Journal which will be out at the end of July.
