View all news

Students question influence of expert witnesses

Press release issued: 11 May 2007

Two University of Bristol students have been asked to join a prestigious panel at the Annual Conference of the Society of Expert Witnesses, to discuss the practical influence of expert witnesses in the justice process.

Two University of Bristol students have been asked to join a prestigious panel at the Annual Conference of the Society of Expert Witnesses, to discuss the practical influence of expert witnesses in the justice process.

Gabe Tan and Joe Oppenheimer are both third year undergraduate law students and also recently appeared in the BBC One Rough Justice programme about the University’s Innocence Project and the Simon Hall case.

The panel discussion takes place today at the Annual Conference of the Society of Expert Witnesses, which represents over 1,000 members across a wide variety of disciplines.

The conference will address a series of high profile issues including the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of General Medical Council v Meadow, which turned the spotlight for the regulation of experts as witnesses upon professional bodies.

Joe and Gabe, said: “In the current environment where law relies heavily on expert evidence to obtain and overturn convictions, this conference may improve the way in which law can engage with science.

“We hope that as members of the Innocence Project we have contributed to meaningful discussions emphasising the need for expert witnesses to acknowledge the effect their opinions and evidence may have in court.”

The Society acts as the authoritative voice of the expert through information, analysis and comment on all matters relating to the preparation, delivery, evaluation and standards of specialist evidence.

The conference takes place today [Friday 11 May] at the Marriott Maida Vale Hotel, London.

 

Further information

Please contact Caroline Clancy for further information.
Edit this page