Description
This training outlines the ethical and procedural responsibilities of surveyors acting as expert witnesses, emphasising impartiality, professional integrity, and courtroom credibility when presenting evidence in legal disputes.
3 Key Points
- Impartiality Above Advocacy: Surveyors must remain independent, avoiding client bias; courts increasingly scrutinize expert evidence for credibility and objectivity.
- Effective Report Preparation: Expert reports should include all material facts, clearly state assumptions, acknowledge opposing opinions, and be backed by thorough documentation.
- Courtroom Conduct & Communication: Witnesses must prepare thoroughly, respond calmly under cross-examination, and maintain control and clarity while engaging directly with the judge.
3 Learning Objectives
- Understand the critical importance of impartiality, transparency, and scope limitations when acting as an expert witness.
- Develop effective expert reports through clear justification, professional tone, and evidence-based reasoning, acknowledging differing opinions when necessary.
- Apply courtroom best practices for testimony, including preparation strategies, communication techniques, and handling cross-examination with confidence and professionalism.
