The Future of Expert Evidence in Personal Injury Cases - Paul Phillips, Greenwoods Solicitors

19/06/14. As a solicitor involved in handling largely catastrophic personal injury cases, I spend many of my waking hours reading the often competing reports of a wide range of medical and non-medical experts. In a large number of cases the injuries are remarkably similar; the experts are pretty much the same; and distinguishing one case from another becomes increasingly difficult.
On 1 April 2013, CPR 35.4 was amended and now states:
(1) No party may call an expert or put in evidence an expert’s report without the court’s permission.
(2) When parties apply for permission they must provide an estimate of the costs of the proposed expert evidence and identify –
(a) the field in which expert evidence is required and the issues which the expert evidence will address; and
(b) where practicable, the name of the proposed expert.
(3) If permission is granted it shall be in relation only to...
Image ©iStockphoto.com/angelhell








