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NLJ this week: Expert fare—instructions overseas, waivers of privilege & scrutiny of businesses

21 June 2024
Issue: 8076 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Expert Witness , International , Commercial , Privilege
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NLJ presents an expert witness special in this week’s issue, covering a range of issues of interest to experts and those who hire them or are involved in matters where experts are hired

First up, forensic accountant Rakesh Kapila, principal at Sim Kapila, Chartered Accountants, advises that expert accountants should always check the reliability of evidence in disputes involving businesses. Kapila offers advice on scrutiny and corroboration, including avoiding ‘seeking irrelevant information through “fishing expeditions”’.

Next, Dr Chris Pamplin, editor of the UK Register of Expert Witnesses, explains why the rules governing the waiver of privilege over instructions to experts is frequently misunderstood. He highlights that ‘legal professional privilege is a jealously guarded concept, and the court will, in most cases, be reluctant to order disclosure.’ Pamplin covers relevant caselaw on mistaken disclosure.

Completing the expert special, Mark Solon, chairman, Wilmington Legal, and founder, Bond Solon, presents a checklist on how to direct experts instructed in overseas cases. Solon’s article is jam-packed with useful advice. He advises careful consideration of the terms and conditions, insurance, timetabling, language and procedure in the destination jurisdiction, required format of the report, and much more.

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
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
David Lammy, Ellie Reeves and Baroness Levitt have taken up office at the Ministry of Justice, following the cabinet reshuffle
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