Expert Witnesses - important issues 2025

In many cases, expert evidence can be pivotal to the determination of key issues and counsel will invariably be confronted with the task of both working with and challenging the evidence of expert witnesses. This seminar will provide you with an overview of the law, and practical guidance on dealing effectively with expert witnesses and incorporating expert evidence as part of a robust overall litigation strategy. It will cover updated similar material to the popular 2019 seminar, including:

• What is expert evidence?
• The statutory requirements for admissible expert evidence, including ss 7, 8 and 25 of the Evidence Act, with points on:
  - what is “substantially helpful”?
  - ultimate issue and common knowledge
• Effect of the High Court Rules (HCR) and the Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses (Code):
  - impartiality and independence
  - the “basis” rule regarding underlying facts and assumptions
  - disclosure of literature, examinations, tests and other investigation
  - use of the Code outside the HCR
• The consequences of non-compliance with the Code
• Disciplinary and civil liability arising from expert evidence
• Due diligence in relation to experts
• Identifying the need for the assistance of an expert
• Selecting an expert
• Instructing an expert
• Practical issues to consider when calling the expert in court.

Learning objectives

By attending this seminar you will:

• Better understand the evidentiary requirements for all expert evidence.
• Incorporate expert evidence effectively as part of a litigation strategy

Who should attend

Junior to intermediate civil litigators, criminal, family and insurance lawyers.

Resources

A PDF book is included in the fee and will be emailed to you along with your ticket, one week before the seminar. PowerPoint slides will be emailed out after 3pm the day before the event.

Live web stream registrants - you will be emailed a link to join the live stream one week before. For information on what is required to participate in the live web stream, click here.

Time

• 4.00pm – 6.00pm 

Fee (incl GST)

Law Society Members benefit from up to 30% off

In Short

• $185 – Law Society members & associate members
• $265 – Non-members
• $649 – Live web stream Study Group – more info
• 2+1 Live web stream registrations – more info (must be arranged at time of booking)

Do you want to register more than one person for this course? Use the 'buy for others' button below or Click here
Download PDF Registration Form

Presenters

Chris Browne Wilson Harle, Auckland Chris has practised as a litigation lawyer for more than 30 years. He has a broadly based commercial litigation and public law practice extending from contract, corporate governance and shareholding disputes to insurance, professional and product liability, asset recovery, and regulatory issues. Chris has been counsel in many reported decisions at all levels. He is listed in the Hall of Fame in Dispute Resolution in the Asia Pacific Legal 500, a ranked lawyer in Dispute Resolution and Public Law in Chambers Asia-Pacific, a Distinguished Practitioner in Dispute Resolution in Asia Law Profiles and a Litigation Star in Benchmark Litigation.

Julie-Anne Kincade KC Augusta Chambers, Auckland Julie-Anne was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1991, worked as a criminal barrister in London, then at the Auckland Crown Solicitor’s office before returning to the independent bar in 2013. She is Vice-President of the Law Association and convenor of its Criminal Law Committee, and is a committee member of the Auckland Medico-Legal Society. Julie-Anne has been involved in several high-profile cases in New Zealand and has been acknowledged by the Doyle’s Leading Criminal Defence Lawyers list at the top level of pre-eminent in 2020, 2021 and 2022. She took silk in 2019.

Cancellation and refund policy

You may cancel your registration eight working days in advance of an event, and you will receive a refund less a 25% administration fee. If you cancel less than eight working days in advance of the event, no refund is payable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another person. If you wish to do so you must advise CLE New Zealand Law Society in writing of the change. CLE reserves the right to close registrations, and cancel or reschedule an event as necessary. Where an event is cancelled by CLE, a full refund is payable.