Proposed bill aims to ensure relevance and limit bias in testimony

Expert witnesses who give questionable evidence in court could end up being sued for compensation under recommendations from the Law Reform Commission.

Draft legislation drawn up by the commission abolishes the traditional assumption of immunity for expert witnesses and says that where they act with gross negligence in their reports or testimony, they should be personally liable for any civil claims they give rise to.

The recommendation is one of many aimed at regulating the role of expert witnesses, quality assuring their contribution to court cases and minimising the costs associated with them.