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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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!"

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

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

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

A day in the life of an Investment Banking Expert

Philippe Espinasse - Consultant

What I Do - The Expert in Clinical Microbiology

Professor S J Eykyn - Clinical Microbiology

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

Kay Linnell - Forensic Accountant

Wrongful Trading: A Forensic Accountant's Perspective

Rakesh Kapila - Chartered Accountant

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

Eur Ing SIMON CLARKE, Metallurgist

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

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

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

Glenn Horton
Fire Engineer

A day in the life of an Expert Psychiatric Witness

Dr Keith Rix

Consultant Psychiatrist

The view from a Document Examiner

Michael Ansell

Document & Handwriting Examiner

Should anyone else be present at the consultation?

12 August 2024 Keith Rix 239

Case Updates

Should anyone else be present at the consultation?

byKeith Rix

Commentary

This is an important judgment that sets out the position taken by the courts as to the presence of another person during an expert assessment. It also touches on remote assessment and calls to mind Snelling v Thomson Alarm Communication System [2003] ScotCS 172:

The position of an actuary contrasts markedly with that of the consultant orthopaedic surgeon who does require to make investigations by examining the pursuer. He cannot simply look up textbooks and expect to obtain some sort of answer.

Learning points

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