Preliminary (pre-report) experts’ meetings Preliminary (pre-report) experts’ meetings

Preliminary (pre-report) experts’ meetings

Experts, in particular medical experts, are likely to be familiar with experts’ discussions that take place after the exchange of reports. This...
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...
Thomas Murray Joins EWI as a Corporate Partner Thomas Murray Joins EWI as a Corporate Partner

Thomas Murray Joins EWI as a Corporate Partner

We are pleased to welcome a new Corporate Partner
Pfizer Inc v Uniqure Biopharma BV [2024] EWHC 2672 (Pat) Pfizer Inc v Uniqure Biopharma BV [2024] EWHC 2672 (Pat)

Pfizer Inc v Uniqure Biopharma BV [2024] EWHC 2672 (Pat)

The judge in this patent case found that the claimants’ gene therapy expert had developed, quite possibly guided by lawyers, the understanding...
How not to use AI in expert evidence How not to use AI in expert evidence

How not to use AI in expert evidence

In this US case, an expert in fiduciary services used Microsoft’s Copilot to cross-check calculations he used in expert evidence. He was unable...
Celebrating Success at the Sir Michael Davies Lecture Celebrating Success at the Sir Michael Davies Lecture

Celebrating Success at the Sir Michael Davies Lecture

Successful Certification candidates receive their certificate from Lord Hodge.
Independence, bias and conflicts of interest Independence, bias and conflicts of interest

Independence, bias and conflicts of interest

Hon Mr Justice Trower provides invaluable guidance for Expert Witnesses at the 2024 the Sir Michael Davies lecture.
Podcast Episode 5: Range of Opinion Podcast Episode 5: Range of Opinion

Podcast Episode 5: Range of Opinion

Range of Opinion is the focus of the 5th episode of the Expert Matters Podcast. We catch up with Colin Holburn, Chair of the EWI Membership Committee,...
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...
Podcast Episode 4: Expert Fees Podcast Episode 4: Expert Fees

Podcast Episode 4: Expert Fees

Simon and Sean discuss expert fees and catch up with Dominic Woodhouse from Partners in Costs to talk about cost management and budgeting in civil...
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...
Podcast Episode 3: Single Joint Expert Podcast Episode 3: Single Joint Expert

Podcast Episode 3: Single Joint Expert

Simon and Sean discuss Single Joint Experts and catch up with two EWI members who act as Single Joint Experts to hear about their experiences, the...

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.

Expert Witness Institute launch ‘gold-standard’ membership
Simon Berney-Edwards 862

Expert Witness Institute launch ‘gold-standard’ membership

bySimon Berney-Edwards

Following two successful pilots, The Expert Witness Institute (EWI) is rolling out its new Certified Expert Witness Membership, a ‘gold-standard’ register of experts whose knowledge, skills and practice have been thoroughly validated by the Institute.

 

For the legal profession, it’s assurance that by instructing an EWI Certified Expert, they’re enlisting a professional who understands their role — and can ultimately deliver.

 

To get EWI Certification, applicants must already be highly experienced Experts, with the assessment process building on the vetting procedures in place for EWI membership. They will be assessed on all the core competencies required to be an Expert Witness, recognising those who can demonstrate excellence in report writing, discussions between Experts, and giving oral evidence in court.

 

Crucially, applications for Certification (and revalidation of Certification) are assessed on the Expert’s ability to demonstrate actual practice in real scenarios.

 

EWI Certified Experts also commit to undertaking Continuing Professional Development and will be required to go through the Certification assessment every five years to revalidate their practice and retain their Certified status.

 

Experts who have achieved Certification will be identified as such and appear at the top of search results on the Institute’s Find an Expert Directory.

 

EWI Certification has been SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) credit rated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and has been awarded 15 SCQF Credit Points at SCQF Level 11.

 

The move has been warmly received by the judiciary in both the English and Welsh and Scottish jurisdictions.

 

Lord Hodge, Deputy President of the Supreme Court, said:

 

“I welcome the EWI’s initiative in creating a certification programme for expert witnesses. The complexity of much of modern litigation means that expert witnesses often play an essential role in the administration of justice. Unfortunately, judges have had to criticise experts for failing to understand and comply with their duties. Such failures can result in injustice and such criticism can cause serious damage to a person’s professional reputation. I hope that the initiative will assist experts, the parties who instruct them to give evidence, and the judiciary in their collaboration to ensure high standards in the administration of justice.”

 

The Right Hon Lord Carloway, Lord President of the Court of Session, said:

 

“It is crucial that expert witnesses are properly trained and qualified so that they are able to comply with their duties to the courts and tribunals before which they appear.  I welcome the work of the EWI in promoting the introduction of an SQA accredited programme in support of that objective.”

 

Sir Martin Spencer, chair of EWI, said:

 

“We are delighted to add this new level of membership to our Find an Expert Directory which provides the legal profession with a pool of talent with the relevant education, training, understanding and experience to provide expert guidance to the courts.”

 

The scheme was made available to members via a soft launch in July. Since then, 40 members have upgraded to become a Certified Expert Witness.

 

The scheme is open to experts from all disciplines who can demonstrate an excellent level of practice against the core competencies and costs £325 for EWI members and £425 for non-members to apply.

 

Further information can be found at: www.ewi.org.uk/certification

 

Share

Print
Comments are only visible to subscribers.