Posted On: March 8, 2008
Expert Witnesses in Demand
In Testimony From Experts In Demand Tyler Kekewich of the Financial Post describes expert witnesses:
You've seen them in movies and watched them on television. They are the superstars of a trial and their testimony can make or break a lawyer's case. They're expert witnesses -- from coroners to accountants, engineers and scientists -- and judges and juries hang on their every word. They can be the difference between acquittal or conviction or reaping a huge damage award versus being left with nothing but a big legal bill to pay.
Kekewich also shares the five traits of a successful expert witness:
1. Highly intelligent - Most expert witnesses are professionals, such as doctors, chartered accountants or scientists.2. Inquisitive and thorough - Expert witnesses need an eye for detail. Incomplete, vague, or careless testimony will be picked apart by a skilled lawyer.
3. Good communicator - Experts must explain technical data and jargon to a wider audience of people who might not understand it.
4. Concentration and focus - A complex civil lawsuit can drag on for years and an expert's testimony can last days.
5. Patience and discipline - Experts must often repeat themselves in court so they must be prepared to constantly go back over the same testimony.
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