A GOOD EXPERT IS...

...a person who is qualified by his or her knowledge or experience to give an opinion on a particular issue(s) to a court.

• A sound knowledge and practical experience of the subject matter in dispute.
• The ability to communicate findings and opinions clearly, concisely and in terms adapted to the Court or Tribunal before which evidence is being given. He or she must be able to analyse detailed and lengthy documentation, write clear statements that are intelligible to the Court or Tribunal hearing the case and to the parties involved.
• Flexibility of mind and self-confidence to modify opinions in the light of fresh evidence or counter-arguments.
• The ability to 'think on one's feet', necessary in order to cope with appearances in Court.
• A demeanour that is likely to express and command confidence, particularly in court appearances.

Judge Hicks QC defined an expert in the matter of Abbey National Mortgages plc v Key Surveyors Nationwide Ltd QBD (1995) 44 Con.L.R. 22, CA [1996] EGCS 23. He said; "An expert, in relation to any question arising in a cause or matter, means any person who has such knowledge or experience of, or in connection with that question, that his opinion on it would be admissible in evidence."

Jonathan Gaunt QC; "An expert must have actual experience of that market place" (source: The Blundell Memorial Lecture 2 June 1997).