Bevan v Ministry of Defence [2025] EWHC 1145 (KB) Bevan v Ministry of Defence [2025] EWHC 1145 (KB)

Bevan v Ministry of Defence [2025] EWHC 1145 (KB)

Apart from the oft-made point about the importance for experts of the chronology, especially in cases where the issue is causation or clinical...
Extradition and suicide risk Extradition and suicide risk

Extradition and suicide risk

This case is important for two reasons. It illustrates that having “no control over actions” and “not making a rational...
The Criminal Procedure Rules 2025 The Criminal Procedure Rules 2025

The Criminal Procedure Rules 2025

The Criminal Procedure Rule Committee has published a new consolidation of the Criminal Procedure Rules and an accompanying guide. The new Rules will...
Transparency and Open Justice Board Key Objectives Transparency and Open Justice Board Key Objectives

Transparency and Open Justice Board Key Objectives

The Transparency and Open Justice Board has published its final Key Objectives and its response to its Public Engagement on the proposed Key...
A fundamentally flawed report A fundamentally flawed report

A fundamentally flawed report

The parties unanimously agreed that the report of a Court appointed expert was fundamentally flawed, could not be relied upon, and a new psychologist...
Referral of Release Decisions Consultation: proposed amendments to CPR Part 77 and... Referral of Release Decisions Consultation: proposed amendments to CPR Part 77 and...

Referral of Release Decisions Consultation: proposed amendments to CPR Part 77 and...

The Civil Procedure Rule Committee ('Committee') is consulting on proposed amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules Part 77 and the Practice...
Podcast Episode 14: Reflections on the EWI Annual Conference 2025 Podcast Episode 14: Reflections on the EWI Annual Conference 2025

Podcast Episode 14: Reflections on the EWI Annual Conference 2025

In the 14th episode of the Expert Matters Podcast, Simon and EWI's Marketing and Events Manger, Heather George, reflect on their highlights from...
A Day in the Life of a Town Planning Expert Witness A Day in the Life of a Town Planning Expert Witness

A Day in the Life of a Town Planning Expert Witness

Susan Jones, founder of SJ Consultancy, has been a town planning consultant for over 40 years. As an Expert Witness, she provides evidence at public...
A Day in the Life of a Plastic, Aesthetic and Hair transplant Surgeon and Expert Witness A Day in the Life of a Plastic, Aesthetic and Hair transplant Surgeon and Expert Witness

A Day in the Life of a Plastic, Aesthetic and Hair transplant Surgeon and Expert Witness

Dr. Rohit Seth is trained in Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hair Transplant Surgery with over 20 years of surgical experience. A practicing...
A Day in the Life of a Digital Forensics Expert Witness A Day in the Life of a Digital Forensics Expert Witness

A Day in the Life of a Digital Forensics Expert Witness

Ryan Shields is a digital forensics expert who has worked in the police and private sector. Here, he explains why he is passionate about using his...
Podcast Episode 12: Expert Discussions and Joint Statements Podcast Episode 12: Expert Discussions and Joint Statements

Podcast Episode 12: Expert Discussions and Joint Statements

In the 12th episode of the Expert Matters Podcast, we discuss Expert Discussions and Joint Statements. Joint Statements are critical documents in any...

Check out our Case Updates and Member Magazine

Looking for more news relevant to the Expert Witness community? Why not check out our database of cases relevant to Expert Evidence or the latest and previous editions of our member magazine, Expert Matters.

News

Clicking on one of the topics below will display news items relevant to that topic. You can also use the search bar below to identify news items.

The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry and the importance of Expert Witness training
Sean Mosby 1454

The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry and the importance of Expert Witness training

bySean Mosby

From 25 to 28 June, Mr Jenkins, former Distinguished Engineer at Fujitsu Services Ltd, gave evidence to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry on the expert evidence he provided on the Horizon IT system. Mr Jenkins told the Inquiry that he was unaware of the duties of an Expert Witness until the end of 2020. He accepted that he had received a letter from his instructing solicitors in 2005 clearly setting out the duties of an Expert Witness, but that he had not understood the significance of these duties or subsequently remembered them. Mr Jenkins later noted that he had not been offered any training opportunities to support his role as an Expert Witness.

The EWI has long argued that Expert Witnesses should be required to have training in their duties under the relevant procedural rules, practice directions and guidance, as well as the practical aspects of an Expert Witness's role. Simply providing a written explanation of these duties is not sufficient.

The EWI has developed Core Competencies for Expert Witnesses, which form the basis for all of our training courses.  All members of the EWI have demonstrated proficiency in these core competencies, in addition to expertise in their own field. This training is not overly burdensome and can be obtained from the core training modules that EWI provides on a regular basis. We also recognise the expert witness training provided by other credible training providers.  

However, despite its availability and affordability, many Expert Witnesses do not seek training. While we await with interest the outcome of the Inquiry on this point, we urge policy and rule makers, and the judiciary, to consider how to ensure that Expert Witnesses fully understand their duties and know how to apply them.  

Simon Berney-Edwards, Chief Executive Officer of the Expert Witness Institute, said

"The Expert Witness Institute promotes the importance of impartial, independent expertise to support the proper administration of justice. Our members sign up for a code of conduct which embodies this.

Is it not time that the Judiciary consider the importance of the proper regulation of Expert Witnesses and seek to ensure that anyone giving evidence in cases have the relevant training and sign up to a code of conduct such as ours? This is yet another high profile case of someone acting as an Expert Witness without having any regard to their duties to the Court or any training.

How many other cases do we need to encounter before the regulation of Experts is considered?"

Share

Print
Comments are only visible to subscribers.