Speight The Scientist or Engineer as an Expert Witness

1. Auflage 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4200-5259-6
Verlag: Taylor & Francis
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 216 Seiten

Reihe: Chemical Industries

The increased technical nature of litigation coupled with an increase in the number of cases have given rise to the need for a book specifically written for scientists and engineers called to testify as expert witnesses. Unique in its approach, The Scientist or Engineer as an Expert Witness assists these experts in clearly conveying the often complicated information to a non-technical audience.

Highly detailed and exceedingly thorough in scope, the book begins with a complete discussion of the functions of the expert witness before delving into the process of how attorneys find experts. A significant portion discusses the professional resume and other tools the expert can use to market him- or herself. The author supplies a helpful primer on the rules of evidence and a discussion of the attorney-expert witness relationship. He includes ample treatment of the use of reports and visual aids, as well as issues that arise during depositions. The book closes with a comprehensive discussion of the trial itself, followed by post-trial responsibilities. A complete glossary of terms further clarifies the material.

Dr. James G. Speight has more than 40 years’ experience in areas associated with the properties and processing of conventional and synthetic fuels. He is the editor of the journals Petroleum Science and Technology, Energy Sources Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, and Energy Sources Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy. He has testified numerous times as an expert witness and the guidance he provides gives witnesses all the information needed to testify confidently and effectively.

Zielgruppe

Scientists, technicians, and engineers who serve as expert witnesses; lawyers and law students who work with expert witnesses

Autoren/Hrsg.

Speight, James G

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Verfahrenstechnik | Chemieingenieurwesen | Biotechnologie Verfahrenstechnik, Chemieingenieurwesen

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Being an Expert Witness
Introduction

An Expert Witness

Types of Experts

Types of Litigation

Rules of the Court versus Rules of the Laboratory

Work Product and Attorney–Client Privilege

Ethical Considerations

The Resume, the Internet, and Retention of the Expert

Introduction

The Resume

Using the Internet

Selecting and Retaining an Expert

Retention of the Expert

Conclusions

The Expert Witness

Introduction

Qualifications and Experience

The Client

The Initial Attorney–Expert Contact

The Expert and the Dispute

Time to Walk Away

Confidentiality and Nondisclosure

Conclusions

Attorney–Expert Witness Relationships

Introduction

Contact

Scientists and Engineers

Information from the Attorney

Discoverable and Nondiscoverable Communications

Interrogatories

Depositions

Reports

Introduction

Explaining Science and Engineering to Judges and Jurors
The Oral Report

The Written Report

Charts, Figures, and Visual Aids
The Predeposition and Deposition
Introduction
The Pleadings Stage
Discovery

Predeposition Preparation

Items for the Deposition

The Deposition

Conflict of Interest

The Trial

Introduction

Pretrial Preparation

Trial Preparation
Courtroom Layout

Jury Trial and Bench Trial

The Judge

The Jury

The Expert Witness in Court

The Scientist or Engineer on the Witness Stand

Epilogue

Introduction

After-Trial Responsibilities

The Trial Transcripts

Future Litigation Arising from the Trial

Records Accumulated during the Case

Lessons Learned
Glossary

Bibliography and Additional Reading

Index