28 November Case Updates Graham Harry Moore v Sarah Joanne Pochin MP & Anor [2025] EWHC 3012 (KB) Independence, Evidence, 11. Report Writing The Petitioner, who was one of 15 candidates in an English Parliamentary By-Election, alleged that his vote count of 50 was fraudulently pre-determined. The expert statistician for the Petitioner based his opinion solely on the evidence of the Petitioner, which was contested. He was unaware of the contents of the Respondents’ witness statements and had not taken them into account.
29 November Case Updates Expert appoints herself as social worker, psychologist, therapist and judge Independence, Unregulated Experts, 16. Criticism and Complaints, 06. Rules and Regulations At a time when psychologists in particular are concerned about psychological evidence being given by psychologists who are unregulated, this case illustrates the risks when an ‘independent’ social worker gives psychological evidence. The learning points are of general application. The specifics of the case are for psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers. Coventry City Council v XX [2024] EWFC 249 (B)
18 October News Independence, bias and conflicts of interest Conflicts of interest, Bias, Independence, Duty of Expert, Duty to the court, Unconscious Bias Hon Mr Justice Trower provides invaluable guidance for Expert Witnesses at the 2024 the Sir Michael Davies lecture.
9 August Case Updates Deborah Biggadike v Kamilia El Farra & Anor [2024] EWHC 1688 (KB) Independence, Duty of Expert, 06. Rules and Regulations The judge found that it was entirely artificial to think that sharing a platform speaking at a seminar during (in the case of one expert) or before (in the case of the other) giving evidence would have any effect or impact on the evidence of two expert witnesses in urogynaecology.
20 June Case Updates Lendlease Construction (Europe) Ltd v Aecom Ltd (Rev1) [2023] EWHC 2620 (TCC) Independence, Duties of the Expert, 14. Changing your opinion, 15. Giving Oral Evidence An expert is entitled to revise his or her opinion in light of a judge's finding as to what is or is not required in order to comply with particular regulations or equivalent regulatory standards.
6 June Case Updates The Cahill v Seepersad [2023] IEHC 583 Expert evidence, Independence, Duties of the Expert, Ireland, 16. Criticism and Complaints, 06. Rules and Regulations, 11. Report Writing The cout found that a financial expert's report was inadmissible as evidence because he was not properly independent or objective, while very little weight could be attributed to the report of an employment expert because he lacked expertise in the area in which he purported to give expert evidence.
29 February Case Updates Aston Risk Management Ltd v Lee Jones & Ors [2024] EWHC 252 (Ch) Independence, Forensic accountancy, Quantum, 11. Report Writing, 15. Giving Oral Evidence The judge found that providing preliminary advice on the issues that arise regarding quantum did not impinge on the expert's ability to subsequently provide independent expert advice.
30 May Case Updates McLaughlin v Dealey [2023] IEHC 106 Independence, Medical records, Objectivity, Ireland, Medical expertise, Weight, 10. Records Assessments and Site Visits, 11. Report Writing “Engagement of medical experts in the Republic of Ireland”
22 May News Updated guidance on joint statements in newest edition of Kings Bench Guide Independence, Joint statement, Kings Bench, 06. Rules and Regulations, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements clear guidance to legal advisers regarding joint statements by expert witnesses
7 February Case Updates Snow v Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust [2023] EWHC 42 (KB) Independence, Urology, Colorectal surgery, 11. Report Writing, 08. Working with Instructing Parties “Who is responsible for providing the expert with copies of relevant medical and scientific publications?”