Expert Matters - The Podcast

Relevance: Extradition cases

Topic: Threshold level of mental disorder necessary to prevent extradition

“Factory work”

Relevance: General

Topic: Impartiality
           Dishonesty

Relevance: Bed management cases

Topic: Discharge of inpatient no longer in need of inpatient care
           Admissibility of expert evidence

Nature of case: An NHS trust brought a claim for possession and applied for an interim injunction against a patient.

‘The cost of Iicompetence’

Relevance: General; Personal injury (negligence)

Topic: Legal tests for negligence
           Wasted costs order against expert witness

“Expert shopping”

Relevance: General; criminal

Topics: Admissibility of fresh psychiatric evidence; ultimate issue; behaviour of expert

“Be sure your sins will find you out”

Relevance: General.

Issues:  Admissibility of covert recording of neuropsychological assessment
             Disproportionate Part 35 questions

The expert is now closely regulated by the rules. Provided that they conduct themselves in an honest, competent and careful professional manner they are unlikely to transgress the rules. However, experience has shown that there are pitfalls, pitfalls which may have serious consequences.

Long awaited report brings guidance to family judges, lawyers and pension experts encouraging fairer settlements and helping to manage liability.

An interesting decision from one of the QBD Master Davison on the admissibility of expert evidence on life expectancy.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has published new guidance for Healthcare Professionals acting as a professional expert or witness.