Trainers

Beth Rigby

Beth worked as a clinical negligence lawyer for leading national law firms for over 12 years. She moved to a role as legal manager for an expert witness company in 2018. In November 2019, Beth started working with the Expert Witness Institute delivering report writing training as well as bespoke courses for corporate members. Beth is currently working in house at a legal services company advising solicitor clients on clinical negligence claims and she has a limited company providing freelance advice and quality assurance to expert witnesses, including to EWI’s corporate member, Harrison Associates, where she is an Expert Witness Trainer.

Beth is the trainer for Basics of Report Writing, Expert Discussions & Joint Statements – From Law to Practice with Jessica Thurston and Single Joint Experts.

Glenn Robinson, BPP Law School

Glenn joined BPP in 2000 after teaching at several institutions including the Universities of Reading, Buckingham and London. As an associate professor, his major role is as the Head of Programmes for the PGDL and GDL. He was instrumental in developing the new PGDL course and in leading BPP into the world of online and distance learning.  Since 2000, he has also been an associate lecturer in law with the Open University.

Glenn is the trainer for Becoming an expert witness: your first steps and Law for Experts (England & Wales) and Law for Experts (Scotland). 

Jessica Thurston

Jessica is the Managing Director of Somek & Associates. She has been a Care and Occupational Therapy expert witness for over 22 years. Somek & Associates is one of the leading providers of expert witnesses in the UK, delivering highly professional trained experts including occupational therapists, care experts, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, and other allied health professions. Jessica specialises in upper & lower limb amputee rehabilitation and trauma & orthopaedics and has considerable experience working with individuals who have lost limbs secondary to meningococcal septicaemia. She has given evidence in court and is highly recommended by Claimant and Defendant solicitors and barristers. She holds the Cardiff University Bond Solon Civil Expert Certificate.

Jessica is the trainer for Experts Discussions & Joint Statements - From Law to Practice along with Beth Rigby.

Josef Cannon KC

Josef Cannon KC’s practice at the Bar focuses on licensing, town and country planning, regulatory work, and property including landlord and tenant. He was appointed King’s Counsel in 2024. He is co-chair of the Cornerstone licensing team and a member of the cross-disciplinary practice group Cornerstone Climate.

He acts for and advises a wide range of local authorities, the licensed trade, developers, regulatory bodies, landlords and private individuals. He is also an accredited mediator, with particular expertise in mediating disputes in the public sector, particularly where they relate to planning or licensing.

Josef is a graduate of King’s College, London, and was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in 2002.

Josef is the trainer for Beyond the Basics: Advanced Report Writing for Experts.

Sam Makkan

Sam Makkan is a distinguished Rule of Law, Justice Sector, and Access to Justice Specialist, based in the North of England. He was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn in 1987. He has over 35 years of extensive experience in criminal law. Sam's career represents a deep commitment to justice, underpinned by a solid foundation in criminal law, focusing primarily on prosecution within the UK.

Sam is a member of EWI’s board is the trainer for Confidence in the Courtroom