Book Review: Expert Evidence: Recent Cases

Publisher: Korda Mentha Forensic
Reviewer: Adrian Duffy

KordaMentha Forensic has recently launched a new publication titled Expert Evidence: Recent Cases.

Led by one of the Sydney partners, Andrew Ross the editorial team reviewed over 1,000 judgments on expert evidence handed down in Australian Courts in 2013 and 2014.  The book includes detailed case summaries of over 30 of those cases.  The case summaries identify the key aspects of the decision and its relevance to the central theme of the publication. Where appropriate, extracts from the relevant decision are included.

The publication also includes case lists (summarised by jurisdiction and topic) relating to over 140 cases relating to expert evidence. There are some longer articles on related topics as well, including a comparative study on expert witness immunity and an excellent discussion on the questions of expert conclaves and “hot-tubbing”.

A very comprehensive foreward has been written by barristers Dr Ian Freckelton QC and Hugh Selby, two of Australia’s leading experts on expert evidence.

The publication is one that is presented from the perspective of those who are experienced in the preparation and presentation of expert evidence, rather that from a lawyer’s perspective. That is the strength of the publication and its usefulness to lawyers who are involved in the calling of such evidence.

The publication is of excellent quality and an extremely useful resource. It is described by its editor as the first edition, so we can look forward to updated editions in the future.

The book is not for sale, but those interested in obtaining a copy should contact Korda Mentha parrners, Brian Wood bwood@kordamentha.com or David Van Homrigh dvanhomrigh@kordamentha.com