Most English expert witnesses want regulation
Almost six out of ten expert witnesses in England and Wales believe the sector should be properly regulated, according to a survey.
The Law Society Gazette of England and Wales said that the survey came amid growing controversy over the use of experts in English courts.
The figure was contained in this year’s Bond Solon Expert Witness Survey, produced in conjunction with the Gazette and published to coincide with a conference on the issue held on Friday (7 November).
More than half (59%) of 525 experts surveyed by Bond Solon believed that formal oversight of all experts would improve standards.
Family-law proceedings
In March, the Family Procedure Rule Committee, which makes rules for family-law courts in England and Wales, consulted on plans to require any expert instructed in family-law proceedings involving children to be regulated.
According to the Gazette, many experts wanted to see a regulatory or training body for experts, while some suggested a British Government register of accredited witnesses.
Experts were also canvassed about their relationship with instructing solicitors.
The survey found that late payment remained a bugbear, with over one in three citing this as their most common complaint.