|
THE CHECKING PROCESS
The directory is comprised of expert witnesses who live and work in Ireland, and
expert witnesses who live in England, Wales and Scotland but are willing to travel to Ireland to
work. New experts applying for listing in The Irish Bar and Expert Witness Directory 2010 are
required to demonstrate experience and ability in providing expert witness services, normally
by providing a reference from a solicitor holding a practising certificate who has instructed
them within the last three years (i.e. since 2007). The reference form asks the referee to rate
from very good to very poor several aspects of the expert witness’s report: accuracy;
understanding and analysis of the expert subject area; presentation; and adherence to
timescale. Where the expert has presented evidence in court, referees are asked to rate their
understanding of the court’s requirements, and the preparation, content and delivery of the
expert’s evidence. (‘Court’ for these purposes includes all civil and criminal courts as well as
tribunals, fatal accident inquiries, arbitrations and civil courts outside the UK and Ireland. It
does not include appearances at House of Commons Select Committee Inquiries.) Referees
are asked whether they have received any adverse comment from the judge or others which
gives them cause to doubt the expert’s expertise and whether the referee would use the expert
again or recommend the expert to other solicitors.
Where any of the ratings fall below 'good', the references are carefully scrutinised. Other than
in very exceptional cases, low ratings lead to the expert's exclusion from the listing of checked
experts.
It is always the responsibility of the instructing practitioner to ensure that any expert witness
possesses the knowledge and experience required for each individual case.
Cases where references have not been required
There are certain cases where our reference requirements have been superfluous
because the expert has already passed through a rigorous accreditation process which has
included proven experience and understanding of expert witness work. In these cases, Round
Hall may accept experts who have worked for or been vetted by other organisations.
Round Hall will verify the procedures employed by other organisations to ensure that their
procedures meet or exceed our requirements and will verify membership/employment where
appropriate.
The Checked logo (2010)
Individual expert witnesses and firms of expert witnesses
who have provided excellent references under the process outlined above
are able to use the Checked logo on their stationery (as it appears here).
The logo will be valid for one year from the date of publication. Use of
the logo refers to individuals who have passed the checking
procedure. Those who fail to meet the requirements as part of a corporate entry,
or who did not apply to the Directory at all, are not entitled to use
the logo. Experts who fail to meet any of the requirements set out in the Code of Practice will
not be issued with the updated logo until they satisfy Round Hall that they have complied
with these requirements.
Inclusion of experts
If you would like us to send an application pack to any experts that you would like to
recommend for inclusion in the 2011 edition of the Directory, please contact us at
smg.irishexperts@thomson.com.
| 
