Earlier this year, we asked our members about the single biggest change they’ve seen since they started practising as an Expert Witness. With members from numerous disciplines who’ve been practising from 40 years to 4 months, we expected a wide variety of insights, and we weren’t disappointed.
They told us about how the framework in which they work has constantly evolved, especially with the Woolf reforms and the introduction of the Civil Procedure Rules. They discussed how that key relationship with the instructing solicitor has changed over time, and how the undertanding and practice of some solicitors hasn't always kept pace with changes in the rules and regulations. Barristers have also changed their approach in some cases, and not always for the best.
They were worried about the impact of declines in legal aid funding on the quality of expert evidence and increasingly poor public funding generally. And it won't be a surprise that technology has provided one of the most profound impacts. Some memebers started out writing their reports by hand, and records were still being delivered in brown boxes of folders only 14 years ago. While videoconferencing is driving major changes in expert witness practices, with pressure in some instances to use it inappropriately.
We would like to thank all of the members who contributed. You can read about the biggest changes our members have seen since they started practising in our Single Biggest Change white paper.