header-logo header-logo

Breaking through

11 September 2009 / Martin Baldock
Issue: 7384 / Categories: Features , Expert Witness
printer mail-detail

Martin Baldock explains how a forensic expert cuts through electronic “fog”

Judges, counsel and board-level decision makers could be forgiven for being bewildered by experts telling them what can or cannot be done with technology. The pace of IT development is such that it is easy to be hoodwinked.

In a court of law this IT “innocence” becomes critical as those involved in cases and those hearing them risk falling victim to tactical assertions about electronic evidence.

Electronic evidence is increasingly at the heart of litigation today. This e-evidence can be gathered from desktop and laptop computers, mobile phones, BlackBerrys and even satellite navigation systems.

UK courts are beginning to experience the kind of tactical use of electronic evidence long seen in US courts with counsel arguing that information cannot be recovered or that, given the estimated value of the case being heard, it is not worth the expense involved in taking the e-disclosure process to another level.

This is where the evidence of the forensic expert witness becomes essential in cutting through obfuscation to

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
back-to-top-scroll