Expert Matters

This month we have a special episode to celebrate 30 years since the Expert Witness Institute was launched on 8 November 2026. We are going to look back at the changes over the last 30 years within the world of expert evidence, look at how we have changed as an organisation, and also dip into the archive for our News Reel. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:00 What's going on at EWI?

05:52 Celebrating 30 years of the EWI - Single Biggest Change

25:50 Celebrating 30 years of the EWI - What our members say

31:50 Newsreel

39:49 Conclusion

Details of the resources, events, case updates, and other materials discussed in this episode are available at: 30 Years of Expert Evidence: Expert Witness Institute⁠⁠⁠⁠

This month on the Expert Matters Podcast, Simon and EWI's Membership Manager, Will Watkiss, discuss the EWI's project to map the Expert Witness workforce. We talk to Will Jackson from Whitespace Strategy who led the initial stage of the project, discuss the EWI survey of expert witnesses, and talk about the project's findings. After listening to the podcast, you can click on the link in the shownotes and read the full findings in the Workforce Mapping Research Report. 

Chapters

00:00-Introduction

00:37-What's going on at EWI?

01:48-The Workforce Mapping Project

05:18-Will Jackson, Whitespace Strategy

14:08-Filling in and refining the Workspace Strategy data

15:01-Results of the Workforce Mapping Project

19:52-Newsreel

16:40-Case updates

18:30-Conclusion

21:45 Case updates

Details of the resources, events, case updates, and other materials discussed in this episode are available at: ⁠Podcast Episode 30: Expert Witness Workforce Mapping

This month on the Expert Matters Podcast, we discuss acting for litigants in person. The accessibility of tools like generative AI is making litigation more accessible to unrepresented parties and it is increasingly likely that experts will be approached by litigant in person. We provide some advice for experts approached by a litigant in person and discuss how an expert should deal with the situation where their previously represented party becomes a litigant in person.

Chapters:

00:00-Introduction

02:24-What's going on at EWI?

03:35-What is a litigant in person

04:46-Determining whether to act for a litigant in person

09:26-When your represented party becomes a litigant in person

13:00-Resources to share with litigants in person

13:38-Newsreel

16:40-Nord Stream v Llyod's Insurance Company

18:30-Conclusion

Details of the resources, events, case updates, and other materials discussed in this episode are available at: Expert Matters Podcast Episode 29: Litigants in Person

This month on the Expert Matters Podcast, we take a look at the EWI Annual Conference which was held on 19 June. The Conference got off to a great start with a keynote speech on AI & the Expert Witness by Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls, and carried on with great speakers and panels. Join us on a trip down memory lane as we relive our key highlights from the event. And, as always, you can also listen to our 'What's going on at EWI' and 'Newsreel' segments to keep up-to-date on the latest developments in the world of expert witnesses and expert evidence.

Chapters:

00:00-Introduction

00:49-What's going on at EWI?

02:26-Reflections on the EWI Annual Conference

02:57-Keynote speech - Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls

06:14-Lessons from the Courts

15:59-Maintaining credibility and impact

20:17-Managing undue pressure

21:31-Legal and policy update

25:39-Communicating complex evidence

27:17-Closing keynote speech: Dr Kay Linnell OBE

29:50-A case that changed me: Karen Villabona

37:43-Newsreel

42:33-Conclusion

Details of the resources, events, case updates, and other materials discussed in this episode are available at:

https://www.ewi.org.uk/podcast/podcast-episode-29-reflections-on-the-ewi-conference-2026

In this month's in 'A case that changed me' we are talking with Tony Saggers who is a Threat, Risk and Harm consultant, with 30 years of experience in law enforcement, intelligence, investigations and covert operations. As an expert witness, Tony has contributed to some of the UK’s most complex drug trafficking investigations/court cases and designed capabilities for drugs, firearms, border security, endangered species and mining crimes.

This month, on the Expert Matters Podcast, we take a look at the issues and challenges of being an expert advisor versus an expert witness, and especially transitioning from one to the other, with three guests who share their experiences and extremely helpful advice. We also briefly look at the role of the expert advisor when there is a Single Joint Expert, and assessors and scientific advisors. And, as always, you can also listen to our 'What's going on at EWI' and 'Newsreel' segments to keep up-to-date on the latest developments in the world of expert witnesses and expert evidence.

Chapters:

00:00-Introduction

01:11-What's going on at EWI?

04:13-The expert advisor who becomes an expert witness

05:52-Abeezar Sarela

16:54-Edward Picton

28:16-Shadow experts and Single Joint Experts

28:48-Paul Beckett

37:57-Assessors and scientific advisors

38:58-Newsreel

42:03-Car-wizard v Vixen Surface Treatments

43:52-Conclusion

Details of the resources, events, case updates, and other materials discussed in this episode are available at: ⁠Expert Advisor vs Expert Witness | Expert Matters Podcast

This month on the Expert Matters Podcast, we preview the EWI  Annual Conference which will be held virtually on 19 June 2026. We look at some of the themes from expert witness conferences in 2025, including talking to Holly King about 'How to reduce the re-traumatisation of claimants in medico-legal litigation claims', consider the programme for our 2026 conference, and introduce a new segment on the podcast called 'A case that changed me'.

As always, you can also listen to our 'What's going on at EWI' and 'Newsreel' segments to keep up-to-date on the latest developments in the world of expert witnesses and expert evidence.

Chapters:

00:00-Introduction

00:56-What's going on at EWI?

02:00-Themes from 2025 Conferences

23:33-Preview of the 2026 EWI Annual Conference

29:40-A case that changed me

38:00-Newsreel

42:16-Conclusion

Details of the resources, events, case updates, and other materials discussed in this episode are available at: Expert Matters Podcast | EWI Annual Conference 2026 Preview

In April's episode of the Expert Matters Podcast, we take a deep dive into Marketing your Expert Witness Practice, providing practical advice on getting the basics right, developing a marketing strategy, and key marketing channels. As always, you can also listen to our 'What's going on at EWI' and 'Newsreel' segments to keep up-to-date on the latest developments in the world of expert witnesses and expert evidence.

Chapters:

00:00-Introduction

00:59-What's going on at EWI?

03:15-Developing your approach

05:35-Getting the basics right

07:08-Developing a marketing strategy

08:53-Marketing Channels and Tactics

13:05-Customer satisfaction

13:31-Views from the Editorial Committee

19:09-Common pitfalls, Top Tips and how we can support you

23:35-Newsreel

27:59-Conclusion

Details of the resources, events, case updates, and othermaterials discussed in this episode are available at: ⁠⁠⁠Marketingyour Expert Witness Practice: Podcast Episode 24⁠

In March's episode of the Expert Matters Podcast, we discuss some recent examples of experts in the courts, drawing out the key learning points for expert witnesses. As always, you can also listen to our 'What's going on at EWI' and 'Newsreel' segments to keep up-to-date on the latest developments in the world of expert witnesses and expert evidence.  

Chapters:

00:00-Introduction

01:12-What's going on at EWI?

02:19-An expert report that is almost worse than useless

06:46-Understanding Technology

14:21-Not knowing the legal test

17:07-When your instructions limit your investigations and analysis

24:07-The less experienced expert witness

23:30-Newsreel

27:28-Conclusion

Details of the resources of the resources, events, case updates, and other materials discussed in this episode are available at: ⁠⁠⁠Experts in the courts: Podcast Episode 23

In February's episode of the Expert Matters Podcast, we take a look at Feedback and Criticism. We go over the rules, discuss the key recent case of Kolomoisky, and hear the thoughts and advice of the members of the EWI Editorial Committee. As always, you can also listen to our 'What's going on at EWI' and 'Newsreel' segments to keep up-to-date on the latest developments in the world of expert witnesses and expert evidence. 

Chapters:

00:00-Introduction

01:12-What's going on at EWI?

02:54-What is judicial criticism

04:57-Regulatory frameworks

08:43-JSC Commercial Bank v Kolomoisky

10:40-Obtaining feedback

18:15-Dealing with criticism

23:30-Newsreel

27:28-Conclusion

Details of the resources, events, case updates, and other materials discussed in this episode are available at: ⁠Feedback and Criticism: Podcast Episode 22