Navigating CPR 19 & Expert Evidence - An Essential Guide for Criminal Lawyers

Introduction

Expert evidence is under more intense scrutiny than ever before, and Criminal Lawyers need to be prepared in court.

This virtual classroom seminar will explore issues related to expert evidence at trial and sentencing. Recent high-profile cases, such as the Lucy Letby case have sparked widespread debate about the conduct of experts. In a recent survey, 59% of expert witnesses felt better regulation was needed to deal with the quality and impartiality of experts.

The Court of Appeal has been critical of several expert witnesses personally, critical of counsel's role with experts on sentence, and critical of attempts to introduce expert evidence where none is required. This 3-hour course will show you how to ensure compliance with the law, procedural rules and the Criminal Practice Directions to minimise the risk of a court rejecting your expert evidence.

The course is regularly updated to include amendments to the Criminal Procedure Rules and the Criminal Practice Directions 2023, and case law updates.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• When is expert evidence admissible?
• Weight and admissibility
• Who is an ‘expert’?
• Disclosure and experts
• The parties’ obligations under CPR 19
• Joint instructions and joint expert meetings
• The likely loss of legal professional privilege
• The consequences of non-compliance
• Commonly encountered problems with experts
• When can an expert be paid from public funds?

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.