2 October News Criminal Practice Directions - Revised Declaration of Truth 05. Rules and Regulations, 10. Report Writing The second amendment updates the declaration of truth used in expert reports.
28 September Case Updates Stay within your expertise - you don’t become an expert by virtue of having acquired knowledge in the course of the case itself Expert evidence, Cross-examination, Expertise Remember the duties of the expert as set out in CPR Pt 35 and Practice Direction 35. Don't stray into giving evidence on matters falling outside your expertise.
26 September News Expert Witness Institute urges removal of new intermediate track rule in civil claims cases 05. Rules and Regulations, 10. Report Writing The EWI has written to the Civil Procedure Rules Committee calling for the removal of a rule in the new intermediate track for civil claims that would limit expert reports to 20 pages.
15 September News New Fixed cost regime rules contains changes to Expert Reports 05. Rules and Regulations, 10. Report Writing Important changes to the length of expert reports are being brought in from the 1st October 2023 for cases being dealt with through the newly created intermediate track.
15 August News Forensic Science Regulator - August 2023 Newsletter forensic science, regulator, Code of Practice Forensic Science Regulator newsletters cover issues of interest and relevance to forensic science practitioners.
8 August Case Updates Abdullah v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] UKAITUR UI2022001812 Report requirements, 10. Report Writing “How not to prepare an expert report”
8 August Case Updates C, Re (Parental Alienation: Permanent Removal to Germany) [2023] EWHC 1955 (Fam) Psychology, Psychiatry, Parental alienation, CAFCASS definition, 10. Report Writing “What is parental alienation?”
8 August Case Updates RN, R (On the Application Of) v First Tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) [2023] EWCA Civ 882 Psychology, Psychiatry, Psychiatric Injury, Physical Injury, 05. Rules and Regulations, CICA claims “Is a psychiatric injury a physical injury?” This case is probably of more relevance to those who instruct experts in CICA claims than to experts. However, if you do report in such a case, you may provide the expert evidence upon which the Court of Appeal relies when it finally resolves this issue.
8 August Case Updates Scarcliffe v Brampton Valley Gp Ltd [2023] EWHC 1565 (KB) Care, Change of opinion, Orthopaedics, Team membership, Biopsychosocial model, 10. Report Writing, 13. Changing your opinion, 07. Working with Instructing Parties, 09. Records Assessments and Site Visits “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir” (John Maynard Keynes)
8 August Case Updates Deltchinov v Alliance Insurance PLC, Case No. G70YX802 (Central London County Court, unreported, 18 May 2023) Medical records, Medical experts, Fundamental dishonesty, 10. Report Writing, 12. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 09. Records Assessments and Site Visits “Fundamental dishonesty”