Module 3 · Chapter 8

Witness Statements and Expert Evidence

Before trial, each side puts its evidence in writing. This chapter shows how a witness statement keeps to the facts, why each side had its own expert, and what the experts agreed.

≈ 7 min read 8-question test

In this chapter

  • What a witness statement may say, and whose words it uses
  • Why each side had its own expert, and whom an expert serves
  • What the experts agreed in their joint statement, and what that changed

8.1Evidence in one paragraph

Before trial, each side puts its evidence in writing. A witness statement sets out what a person saw and did, in that person’s own words. An expert’s report gives an opinion on a question that needs special knowledge, here what cracked the bases. Once the statements and reports are in, each side can see how strong its case is.

Key point

Witnesses give facts, and experts give opinions. A witness who argues, or an expert who takes sides, weakens the case they were meant to help.

Also in this chapter

  1. Witness statements: what the witness saw and did
  2. Experts and their duty to the court
  3. The joint statement and what it changed
  4. Your job

Preview

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