expert witness

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expert witness

n. a person who is a specialist in a subject, often technical, who may present his/her expert opinion without having been a witness to any occurrence relating to the lawsuit or criminal case. It is an exception to the rule against giving an opinion in trial, provided that the expert is qualified by evidence of his/her expertise, training and special knowledge. If the expertise is challenged, the attorney for the party calling the "expert" must make a showing of the necessary background through questions in court, and the trial judge has discretion to qualify the witness or rule he/she is not an expert, or is an expert on limited subjects. Experts are usually paid handsomely for their services and may be asked by the opposition the amount they are receiving for their work on the case. In most jurisdictions, both sides must exchange the names and addresses of proposed experts to allow pre-trial depositions. (See: expert testimony)

expert witness

in the law of evidence, a witness who is allowed to give opinion evidence as opposed to evidence of his perception. This is the case only if the witness is indeed skilled in some appropriate discipline. An exception to the usual rule of practice whereby witnesses are heard one after the other and do not hear the evidence of the preceding witness is made in relation to competing experts. The term skilled witness is favoured in Scotland.

Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006

References in periodicals archive ?

Not only must it produce the highly qualified people which a more developed economy demands, the government looks to it for the promotion of creativity and entrepreneurship, for the provision of an advanced technology base to attract more research and development and inward investment, and for an expert source of knowledge transfer and advice.

UNIVERSITY VIEW

Students may opt to use a quote when an expert source supports a point that the student is trying to make, or when a source phrases an idea in a way that the student thinks sounds just right.

Helping students avoid Plagiarism

We live in such interesting times that the platforms capable of transforming library services or revolutionizing library operations no longer have to be necessarily proprietary or tailor-made, nor do they need to come from a single, expert source.

Living in interesting times

While you can't necessarily count on publicity yielding a high number of prospects, your reputation as an expert source will be mightily enhanced by this added exposure.

Prospecting corner

A single source supply of automation technology is secured from the same expert source of the mechanical powder process technology, which is a significant benefit reducing the possibilities of errors.

Hosokawa's Plexcontrol system

Insofar as the "green" aspects of appraisal, about which he is an expert source, Schleider feels it's important to be able to articulate the decisions underlying investment in real estate because the public relies on the appraisal profession to provide unbiased and clear presentation of the facts and judgment employed in real estate valuation.

Green appraiser taking industry's measure

In addition to his primary role as the regional lead reviewer for all of lighting and signs, he frequently served as an expert source for commercial, UL University, field evaluations and regulatory services.

Obituary

Become an expert source for newspaper and magazine writers in your area.

Recession-proof your business: publicity is the key

Brian Reinke, President of TDI Consulting said, "TDI is excited to offer an approach to provide a single expert source offering unique utility and telecom services, which are completely funded by a portion of achieved savings.

Energy solutions program enhanced for corporate members

Save development time and manufacturing costs by accessing this expert source for immediate and modified release oral solid dosage forms.

Colorcon Limited

"It was one of the pipedreams to help propel the Phoenix Four plant back to the big-time," said an expert source.

The GHOST factory; EXCLUSIVE PICTURES INSIDE LONGBRIDGE WHERE THE CORPSES OF CARS LIE ABANDONED 'It saddens me to see the factory we loved in this state'

It is the National Mobility Equipment Dealer's Association (NMEDA), however, that stands as the expert source of information for the adaptive vehicle modification industry.

Transportation is the key to freedom--NMEDA is the key to quality transportation