The days of the amateur expert witness are over, says Mark Solon
Over 450 experts attended the annual Bond Solon Expert Witness Conference in November 2007. There was a wide range of experts in the audience who came to hear the attorney general, Baroness Scotland.
A snapshot survey conducted on the day produced some interesting results. Income from expert witness work has increased significantly over the past three years. Averages were: 2004: £95,055; 2005: £103,030; and 2006: £120,538. These figures show many experts derive a substantial secondary source of income from expert work.
Forty-five per cent of experts said the number of instructions has gone up and 67% said they felt optimistic or very optimistic about their expert witness work in the future. Ninety-nine per cent said experts need training in expert witness skills, perhaps a reflection on the experience of Sir Roy Meadow and others. It seems the days of the amateur expert are over. Although good money is there to be made, the work is not
