CIVIL MATTERS

Experts preparing reports for Civil cases are governed by the Civil Procedure Rules. This establishes a framework of good practice and is designed to narrow down the issues between experts where possible.

The expert’s overriding duty is to the Court and the report should be proportional to the case involved.

In some cases a single joint expert (SJE) is agreed by both sides. John Dabek has been appointed as a SJE on numerous occasions.

The reports prepared as a party appointed expert or as single joint expert will only differ in terms of style since the basic content and opinion remains neutral.

Following the preparation of a report there may be further stages such as the asking of questions for the purpose of clarification or the preparation of a joint statement with experts instructed by another party.

It is somewhat unusual for an expert to have to attend a civil trial since the purpose of the process is to avoid this where possible.

John Dabek has received formal training in the responsibilities of the expert under the Civil Procedure Rules.