Day in the life of an Expert Witness

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Our day in the life series provides examples of the kind of work undertaken by our members across a range of different professional backgrounds.

Day in the Life of a Financial Expert Day in the Life of a Financial Expert

Day in the Life of a Financial Expert

Uwe Wystup is a practitioner in the field of foreign exchange options, as well as a senior academic, trainer, and judge. He is the founder of MathFinance, a consulting and software company specialising in quantitative finance and risk management and providing expert witness services.

A Day in the Life of a Medicolegal Expert Witness A Day in the Life of a Medicolegal Expert Witness

A Day in the Life of a Medicolegal Expert Witness

Sue Lightman is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Consultant Ophthalmologist who has been undertaking medicolegal Expert Witness work for over 20 years. Here, she explains how she got involved in expert work, why it keeps her interested, and shares her advice for other medical professionals interested in getting into the Expert Witness world.

A Day in the Life of a Water Quality Expert A Day in the Life of a Water Quality Expert

A Day in the Life of a Water Quality Expert

Tim White is a chartered chemist who uses his expertise to assess chemical risk from exposure to water. He has been an Expert Witness for over 40 years, advising on cases relating to water quality, land contamination and corrosion.

A Day in the Life of a Fitted Kitchen and Bathroom Expert A Day in the Life of a Fitted Kitchen and Bathroom Expert

A Day in the Life of a Fitted Kitchen and Bathroom Expert

Jerry Ponder uses his 40+ years of experience in fitted interiors to provide expert evidence on the design, product quality, installation and project management standards of fitted kitchens, bathrooms, any other fitted furniture projects. One of the only Expert Witnesses in his field, he tells us about how he got into it, his experience in the witness box, and the importance of good training.

A Day in the Life of a Forensic Engineering Expert A Day in the Life of a Forensic Engineering Expert

A Day in the Life of a Forensic Engineering Expert

Tom Magner provides independent technical assistance as an Expert Witness. Specialising in the forensic investigation of mechanical, electrical, and chemical incidents, Tom has carved out a niche working on holiday and travel claims in civil cases and, on occasion, fatal incidents in foreign criminal courts. He gives us an insight into his varied career; explains why he now speaks native-level Spanish; and shares his tips for going to court.

A Day in the Life of an Expert Witness in Electrical Engineering A Day in the Life of an Expert Witness in Electrical Engineering

A Day in the Life of an Expert Witness in Electrical Engineering

Efstathios Maliakis is senior electrical engineer with 20 years’ experience, including 10 years supervising the construction of power plants. A full time Expert Witness since 2021, he tells us what led him to the profession, why he feels he’s found his perfect match career-wise, and his advice for aspiring Expert Witnesses.

A Day in the Life of a Japanese Knotweed Expert A Day in the Life of a Japanese Knotweed Expert

A Day in the Life of a Japanese Knotweed Expert

One of the UK’s leading experts in Japanese knotweed, Dr Paul Beckett has been providing Expert Witness services since the early 2000s. He shares his insights into being part of a relatively new area of litigation; what makes a good Expert Witness; and why he approaches court like revising for an exam.

A Day in the Life of a Chartered Building Surveyor Expert Witness A Day in the Life of a Chartered Building Surveyor Expert Witness

A Day in the Life of a Chartered Building Surveyor Expert Witness

Rod Appleyard has been practising as an Expert Witness for almost 28 years, specialising in the forensic investigation of fenestration and building envelope defects. He shares what led him to the Expert Witness field; his advice for starting out; and why volunteering in a war zone changed his outlook on work and life.   

A Day in the Life of a Threat, Risk and Harm Consultant, Expert Evidence Trainer, and Expert Witness A Day in the Life of a Threat, Risk and Harm Consultant, Expert Evidence Trainer, and Expert Witness

A Day in the Life of a Threat, Risk and Harm Consultant, Expert Evidence Trainer, and Expert Witness

EWI Honorary Fellow Tony Saggers has been a drug trafficking Expert Witness since 1995, alongside a career in law enforcement that spanned 30 years. Formerly the National Crime Agency’s Head of Drugs Threat and Intelligence, he now runs a consultancy providing anti-organised crime strategy solutions, child safeguarding from criminal exploitation advice, and Expert Witness training. Here, he provides a glimpse into his long and varied career and explains the importance of impartiality, communication, and evolution in the Expert Witness field.

Meet Desa Lilic, Expert Witness in Clinical Immunology Meet Desa Lilic, Expert Witness in Clinical Immunology

Meet Desa Lilic, Expert Witness in Clinical Immunology

Desa is a Consultant Clinical Immunologist and Associate Clinical Lecturer at the Institute for Clinical & Translational Research at Newcastle University. She is an Expert Witness in Clinical Immunology and qualified as a Certified Expert Witness this year. Here, she explains why she got into expert work and why she thrives on the challenges it brings.

Meet Norman Lynagh, Chartered Meteorologist and Expert Witness. Meet Norman Lynagh, Chartered Meteorologist and Expert Witness.

Meet Norman Lynagh, Chartered Meteorologist and Expert Witness.

Norman Lynagh is the founder of Norman Lynagh Weather Consultancy, a leading independent provider of weather services. He had worked as an Expert Witness for 30 years, working on a variety of cases. He told us how he got into expert work, the main challenges he faces, and the changing face of meteorology as an area of expertise.

A day in the life of an Acoustics Expert Witness A day in the life of an Acoustics Expert Witness

A day in the life of an Acoustics Expert Witness

Teli Chinelis, Viable Acoustics Ltd, tells us about his work as an Expert Witness.

"Work within your expertise. Remember that you are independent – and don’t be bullied by solicitors!"

"Work within your expertise. Remember that you are independent – and don’t be bullied by solicitors!"

Insights on being an Expert Witness from Dr Brian Franks, EWI fellow.

Meet Francis Osei-Appiah, expert in Street Based Urban Street Slang Language and Drill Rap Music Meet Francis Osei-Appiah, expert in Street Based Urban Street Slang Language and Drill Rap Music

Meet Francis Osei-Appiah, expert in Street Based Urban Street Slang Language and Drill Rap Music

Francis explains why his lived experience is key to his work and how being an Expert Witness helps him give back to society.

A day in the life of a Surgeon A day in the life of a Surgeon

A day in the life of a Surgeon

Abeezar I Sarela - Consultant Surgeon, The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

A day in the life of an Investment Banking Expert A day in the life of an Investment Banking Expert

A day in the life of an Investment Banking Expert

Philippe Espinasse - Consultant

What I Do - The Expert in Clinical Microbiology What I Do - The Expert in Clinical Microbiology

What I Do - The Expert in Clinical Microbiology

Professor S J Eykyn - Clinical Microbiology

The ever changing world of illicit drugs The ever changing world of illicit drugs

The ever changing world of illicit drugs

Fiona Coope - Business Manager for Environmental Scientifics Group Forensics

A day in the life of a Forensic Accountant A day in the life of a Forensic Accountant

A day in the life of a Forensic Accountant

Kay Linnell - Forensic Accountant 

Wrongful Trading: A Forensic Accountant's Perspective Wrongful Trading: A Forensic Accountant's Perspective

Wrongful Trading: A Forensic Accountant's Perspective

Rakesh Kapila - Chartered Accountant

A day in the life of an IT expert witness A day in the life of an IT expert witness

A day in the life of an IT expert witness

Dr Stephen Castell - Chairman, CASTELL Consulting 

A day in the life of a Metallurgy Expert Witness A day in the life of a Metallurgy Expert Witness

A day in the life of a Metallurgy Expert Witness

Eur Ing SIMON CLARKE, Metallurgist

A day in the life of an Expert Witness at UK Planning Inquiries A day in the life of an Expert Witness at UK Planning Inquiries

A day in the life of an Expert Witness at UK Planning Inquiries

Lachlan Robertson, Planning Inspector

A day in the life of a mesothelioma expert witness A day in the life of a mesothelioma expert witness

A day in the life of a mesothelioma expert witness

Charlotte Wells & Company provide an insight into the amazing work undertaken by those acting as expert witnesses in litigation relating to Mesothelioma. 

EWI Governor on the legal roles of an aviation expert EWI Governor on the legal roles of an aviation expert

EWI Governor on the legal roles of an aviation expert

This interview with Chris Turner, Aviation Expert, was first featured in the March 2022 edition of Lawyer Monthly Magazine.

A day in the life of an Expert Fire Engineer A day in the life of an Expert Fire Engineer

A day in the life of an Expert Fire Engineer

Glenn Horton
Fire Engineer

A day in the life of an Expert Psychiatric Witness A day in the life of an Expert Psychiatric Witness

A day in the life of an Expert Psychiatric Witness

Dr Keith Rix

Consultant Psychiatrist

The view from a Document Examiner The view from a Document Examiner

The view from a Document Examiner

Michael Ansell

Document & Handwriting Examiner

Podcast Episode 8: Re-evaluating your opinion
Sean Mosby 22
Podcast

Podcast Episode 8: Re-evaluating your opinion

bySean Mosby

 

In the 8th episode of the Expert Matters Podcast, we discuss re-evaluating your opinion. We look at possible reasons why you might wish to re-evaluate your opinion and the stages in the proceedings where re-evaluation is most likely to occur, before hearing from three senior judges on how re-evaluating your opinion can sometimes be positive for your expert evidence, but may also be disastrous. 

You can listen to Episode 8 of the Expert Matters Podcast on a number of podcast apps, including spotify and apple podcasts. If you can't find the podcast on your favourite app, let us know at policy@ewi.org.uk. 

Chapters:

00:00  Introduction

01:23  London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham v G 

03:36  Wilson v the Ministry of Justice 

04:45  Possible reasons for re-evaluating your opinion

06:16  Key stages for re-evaluating your opinion

08:07 Mr Abeezar Sarela

09:52  Sir Martin Spencer

12:09  Lord Justice Hamblen

13:18  Lady Justice Simler

14:41  Conclusion

The resources we mention in this episode are:

EWI in Conversation with Sir Martin Spencer

Lady Justice Simler's Keynote Address, EWI Annual Conference 2023

Lord Justice Hamblem's Keynote Address, EWI Annual Conference 2022

The judgments we mention in this episode are:

London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham v G [2024] EWHC 2200 (Fam)

Steven Wilson v Ministry of Justice [2024] EWHC 2389 (KB)

Some other recent judgments on changing your opinion are:

Alan Prescott-Brann v Chelsea and Westminster’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust & Anor [2024] EWHC 3314 (KB)

Rashpal Samrai & Ors v Rajinder Kalia [2024] EWHC 3143 (KB)

Rebecca Thorp & Ors v Dr Harinder Mehta [2024] EWHC 652 (KB)

Balachandra v The General Dental Council [2024] EWHC 18 (Admin) (10 January 2024)

We would appreciate your feedback including improvements and ideas for content you would like us to include at policy@ewi.org.uk. 

More links

  1. Link to the Podcast on Spotify

  2. Link to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts

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05. Rules and Regulations10. Report Writing13. Changing your opinion07. Working with Instructing Parties11. Responding to questions12. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements14. Giving Oral Evidence

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