Is industry experience important?

Clients and their legal advisors often expect their expert witnesses to be expert in the client’s particular industry, say fashion, pharmaceuticals, telecoms or publishing. While this can be an advantage it is not always necessary.

Expert witnesses are often required for their specialist skills. These skills could include accountancy, branding, licensing, management, marketing or valuation. These skills are transferable across industries, often negating the need for industry experience. Expecting experts to have perfectly relevant industry experience could narrow your available choice - you could miss out on a good one.

There is a balance to be had. Full-time, professional expert witnesses are generally not the best choice. These experts can often be out of touch with real world practice, spending all their time in court. The credibility of these full-time expert witnesses is often challenged by the courts. When selecting your expert witness it is important to consider their skills as a whole. Experience of the issues can be better than experience of the industry.

Expert witnesses often work in consultancies such as accounting or marketing firms. Expert witnesses from this environment have often been exposed to many different industries and make credible experts. Experience of industries beyond your particular one can be advantageous. It brings fresh analysis to the situation.

In summary, yes relevant industry experience is important but not at the expense of other skills.

To search for an expert witness simply fill out the ‘Find an Expert Witness’ form. We will then arrange for the most appropriate expert witness to contact you directly. Let us do the finding for you.