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The leading industry event for the UK’s Expert Witness community, takes place tomorrow
- Nov 7, 2024
- Latest News
This year's Annual Expert Witness Conference, the leading industry event for the UK’s Expert Witness community, takes place on Friday 8 November 2024.
As leading sponsors we look forward to welcoming experts to our stands.
Conference Timetable
9.00 Registration and Exhibition Area Opens
9.45 Opening and Welcome
Mark Solon, Bond Solon Founder
10.00 Addressing Issues of Instructing Solicitors’ Unethical Conduct
Paul Philip, Chief Executive, Solicitors Regulation Authority
Results from various Bond Solon surveys have highlighted perennial issues that experts face when dealing with some instructing solicitors, such as pressure to produce a favourable opinion and late or non-payment of fees. Paul Philip will explain what the SRA does and in what circumstances and at what stage the SRA can help expert witnesses.
10.30 Experts: Independence and Duty
Sam Townend KC, The Chair of the Bar, Bar Council
The Bar Council Chair will discuss the role of experts in the courts system and address the occasional allegations of partisanship against experts. Sam will examine the tension between the expert’s duty to the court and duty to the client and how it is worked out through the court’s processes.
11.00 Break
Refreshments, exhibition and networking
11.30 Annual Legal Update
Nick Deal, Barrister and senior expert witness trainer with Bond Solon
This session is most valuable for all experts as it will summarise all the important and relevant case law, legislation, and practice changes over the past year. Knowledge of any changes is needed to ensure that your work as an expert is done properly to avoid potential liability and ensure best practice.
12.30 Insights from a Senior Member of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC)
Robert Ward CBE KC (Hon), Commissioner, Criminal Cases Review Commission
John Curtis, Barrister and In-House Counsel, Criminal Cases Review Commission
Robert Ward is a barrister with a distinguished career as a Government lawyer, specialising in national security law and counter-terrorism, and was made an Honorary QC in 2015 for his contributions. He led the legal branch at the Ministry of Defence during a significant period of change and had previously been in independent practice while also teaching law at the University of Cambridge.
John Curtis is a barrister and In-House Counsel with the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) where his work covers the investigation of potential miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The CCRC is the independent body that investigates potential miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many of the cases considered involve the review of expert witness evidence. Robert will look at what lessons can be learnt for experts in any legal forum.
13.00 Lunch
Lunch, exhibition and networking, come and say hello.
14.00 Parallel Session: Commercial
Lucinda Orr, Enyo Law LLP Partner
Highly experienced litigator, Lucinda Orr, provides an update on the current state of expert evidence for expert witnesses involved in commercial cases. Lucinda has substantial experience of complex, high value cross-border litigation and long trials.
14.00 Parallel Session: Criminal
Melanie Simpson KC, Doughty Street
Tony Saggers, former Head of Expert Evidence, Serious Organised Crime Agency and National Crime Agency
This jointly run session will provide updates on issues, emerging trends and best practice for expert witnesses involved in criminal cases, from both the defence and prosecution perspective.
14.00 Parallel Session: Family
Kate Branigan KC, 4PB
Get up to speed on the latest developments in family law and procedure with Kate Branigan, who specialises in serious and complex children cases both public and private law.
14.00 Parallel Session: Medico-Legal
Michael Mylonas KC, Serjeants' Inn Chambers
Shivi Nathan, Partner at Fieldfisher
Medical and healthcare experts will gain valuable insights from a leading barrister. Michael Mylonas is a distinguished barrister at Serjeants' Inn Chambers, recognised for his expertise in medical law. He specialises in complex and high-profile cases, including clinical negligence, medical treatment disputes, and inquests.
Shivi Nathan is a solicitor with specialist experience in claimant Medical Negligence. She particularly represents children and adults in cases of maximum severity.
They will both present and there will be time for questions at the end.
15.00 Break
Refreshments, exhibition and networking
15.30 Detailed Assessment of Costs for Expert Witnesses
Chris Butler, Consultant Senior Costs Lawyer, Kain Knight (City) Ltd
This session deals with a subject many experts are interested in - money. Chris Butler is a Senior Costs Lawyer with decades of experience in how to ensure that lawyers and experts are paid properly for their work. He will explain how to budget, how to record the time spent on a matter and how to justify what to charge.
16.00 The Discussion: Experts are from Mars and Solicitors from Venus. Can their Relationship Ever be Harmonious?
Julian Acratopulo, Head of the International Commercial Litigation Group, Clifford Chance
Haydn Kelly, Consultant Podiatrist and International Expert Witness
The debate between a solicitor and an expert will address common issues and disconnects that arise at each stage of litigation when the two parties work together. We will be inviting audience participation, as we wish to hear from delegates as to the issues they have experienced when working with instructing solicitors. Chaired by Mark Solon, the aim of this session is to resolve some of these issues and offer practical guidance to help improve your future working relationships with instructing solicitors.
16.50 Closing Comments
Mark Solon, Bond Solon Founder
17.00 Drinks Reception and Expert Witness Certificate Presentation
18.00 Drinks Reception Ends