What Does An Expert Need to Know When Preparing a Report For a Court Case?

Generally, Style and Format Requirements Within An Expert Report Can Be Provided By a Legal Representative. The Legal Representative May Also Assist the Expert In Understanding the Issues Requiring An Opinion; However, the Expressed Views Within An...


Understanding the Requirements When Preparing An Expert Witness Report Document For Court Litigation Purposes

Expert Witness Report Involves a Well Documented and Supported Opinion From a Subject Matter Expert Quality expert reports can make or break a civil litigation case; and accordingly, errors or omissions within an expert report, or in the manner of selecting an expert or in the manner of introducing an expert may preclude the expert report from evidence and preclude the opinion of the expert from testimony, thus placing the legal case in jeopardy.

The Law
Admissibility

For a court to admit an expert report as evidence the expert report must meet the criteria of admissibility.  The criteria was summarized within the case of 2599475 Ontario Inc. v 2549445 Ontario Inc., 2023 ONSC 3508, where it was said:


[35]  The test for the admissibility of expert evidence is based on the criteria set out in R. v. Mohan, 1994 CanLII 80 (SCC), 1994 SCC 80, as follows:

a)  Relevance;

b)  Necessity in assisting the trier of fact;

c)  The absence of any exclusionary rule, apart from the opinion rule itself; and

d)  A properly qualified expert.

[36]  In White Burgess Langille Inman v. Abbott and Haliburton Co., 2015 SCC 23, [2015] 2 S.C.R. 182, the Supreme Court divided the admissibility requirement into two distinct steps.  First, a trial judge considers the four Mohan criteria.  Then the judge balances the potential risks and benefits of admitting the expert evidence.

Quality Expert Reports
Communicate Clearly and Effectively

Before starting to craft an expert report, the expert is wise to carefully review the purpose and needs which the report is to serve by discussing such with the lawyer or paralegal who are seeking the report. Depending on the nature of the court case, the report may require broad details or may require a narrow focus.  In some circumstances, a brief report is adequate; and in other circumstances a more lengthy report is necessary.  Failing to conduct this review may result in the expert wasting the effort of preparing an excessively detailed report or useless preparing an insufficient report; and whereas both possibilities may result in a waste of time, such is also a waste of money.

A proper expert report includes, and properly references, the evidence documents that support the expert opinions and conclusions. The expert opinion contained within a report should, and perhaps must, refer to supporting evidence documents such as pictures or testing results, among other things, attached as appendices or schedules. A bibliography referencing any authoritative documents or studies that are used to support opinions and conclusions should also be included.

An expert report should express opinions clearly and concisely while being easy to read in an organized and professional layout with spelling, grammar, and punctuation, carefully reviewed for correctness.  The expert report should be written with a vernacular and tone that is consistent with the language of the intended audience whereas, for example, differences may be required for legal cases heard by a judge versus legal cases heard by a jury; and accordingly, language should remain within the understanding of the average layperson while avoiding belittlement of judges, lawyers, and other experts.  Reports should be careful to limit the use of industry specific jargon or abbreviations known only to those with expertise within the relevant field; and, where industry jargon or abbreviations are necessary, a reference table or key to provide definitions should be provided within the report.

More Hints

  • Use professional letterhead;
  • Use a cover page as well as an index or table of contents;
  • Use a curriculum vitae or resume to summarize the qualifications and credentials that confirm that the expert is genuinely an expert;
  • Use an introduction page to outline when, and from whom, the report was requested;
  • Use 12-point font and double spacing;
  • Use headings;
  • Use short, concise paragraphs;
  • Use a unique reference number for each page, table, chart, and appendix;
  • Use a definitions page or section to define technical language and industry specific jargon or abbreviations; and
  • Use an upfront summary page to outline final conclusions or opinions.

Things to Avoid

An expert report must be impartial and objective.  The role of an expert is to provide an unbiased opinion to the court for the purpose of aiding in the truth-seeking mission of the court.  The expert must therefore ensure that the expressed opinion is grounded in facts and evidence rather than prepared with a favouring of a litigant.

  • Avoid absolute wording and phrasing;
  • Avoid words that appear as hedging or guessing;
  • Avoid critical commentary regarding credibility of other experts;
  • Avoid a scientific and clinical tone by keeping the tone friendly and personable;
  • Avoid going into details beyond the purpose of the report;
  • Avoid unnecessary adjectives or superlatives.

Summary Comment

The expert preparing an opinion report must remain attentive to the balance required when obtaining input from a legal representative whereas the lawyer or paralegal seeking the report will best understand the factual concerns and legal issues that relate to why the report is needed and can explain the desired scope; however, the findings and opinions as stated within the report must always remain the genuine unslanted view of the expert as author of the report.

Get a FREE ½ HOUR CONSULTATION

Need Help?Let's Get Started Today

ATTENTION: Do not send any confidential information through this web form.  Use this web form only to make an introduction.

Send a Message Directly to [Legal Firm's Name]

ATTENTION: Do not send confidential information through this website form.  Use this website form only for making an introduction.
Privacy Policy & Cookies | Terms of Use Your IP Address is: 54.163.221.133
Hours of Business:

10:00AM - 09:00PM
10:00AM - 09:00PM
10:00AM - 09:00PM
10:00AM - 09:00PM
10:00AM - 05:00PM
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:

By appointment only.  Please call for details.







Serving:

Lawyers
Paralegals
Law Clerks
Process Servers
Notaries

Questions?

We Offer a 
FREE ½ Hour Consultation

Marketing.Legal™ is a 100% Canadian brand, owned and operated incorporated business, with dedicated expert professionals, having decades of qualified experience in Website Development, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Google Adwords, and Social Media marketing for Lawyers and Paralegals.  Website design for lawyers in Ontario, Canada.










ASK
Sign Up
Ernie, the AI Bot