LC4S191 - Expert Witnesses and their Role in Dispute Resolution 01 Sep 2013 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: LC4S191
Module Title: Expert Witnesses and their Role in Dispute Resolution
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Law
Faculty Sub Group: Law
Module Leader: Karen Jones, Holly Evans
Module Team: Maria Keyse, Jared Davies
First Intended Intake: SEP 2013 Final Year of Intake: 2013
Date Closed: 18 Sep 2018
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 101323 - dispute resolution
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2013
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

  • To understand and evaluate the full range of formal and informal methods for Dispute Resolution within both the Civil and Criminal Legal Systems.
  • To have developed an understanding of an expert’s role within both these legal systems;
  • To be aware of all the legal and procedural requirements for experts preparing reports and giving oral testimony in both civil and criminal proceedings

Content Summary

The module comprises 4 study units:

Unit 1 – The UK Legal Systems for Dispute Resolution – Civil and Criminal

In this unit, students will develop their understanding of the structure of the UK systems for Dispute Resolution including the two court systems and the alternative methods of dispute resolution available.

Unit 2 – Expert Evidence in Civil and Criminal matters.

This unit will cover the use of expert evidence in both civil and criminal matters. It will not exclusively deal with litigated matters (i.e. those where proceedings have already been issued) as the experts role is becoming increasingly important in resolving disputes by other means. The Unit will cover how experts are used within court proceedings but also their role in terms of mediation, arbitration, early expert evaluation and adjudication .

Unit 3 – Receiving Instructions and Preparing Reports

In this unit the students will cover how instructions should be received including the format and materials that should accompany these type of instructions. This unit will also cover the use of single joint experts, preparation of reports, experts meetings and narrowing of issues. It will in all these instances cover all the legal and procedural rules associated with these issues.

Unit 4 – Giving Evidence At Trial / Other hearings

In this unit the student will learn about the Procedure for giving evidence and court hearings . They will be given hands on experience of doing this in simulated sessions.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Seminar 23
Practical classes and workshops 12
Independent Study 110
Directed Study 45
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically evaluate the function of an expert within the Dispute Resolution.
LO2 Be able to professionally competently prepare an expert report and deliver oral testimony on such a report in line with both the Civil Procedure Rule and the rules of Criminal Evidence

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Oral Assessment (CW) Presentation (CW) 1 Preparation of a written report (1500) followed by some oral examination on the report (10 mins). 10 1500 50 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Essay (CW) 1 Essay 1 0 3000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (CW) 1
Essay (CW) 1

Reading List

Civil

Sime, A Practical Approach to Civil Procedure, Oxford University Press

The Civil Procedure Rules 1998

Criminal

Keane, The Modern Law of Evidence, Butterworths

Tapper, Cross and Tapper on Evidence, Butterworths

Murphy, Murphy on Evidence, Blackstone Press

Seabrooke & Sprack, Criminal Evidence and Procedure, Blackstone Press

Emson, Evidence, Macmillan

Please note that it is essential that the most recent edition of the relevant book is used