Course Overview

This course is designed for professionals who may be asked to provide expert opinion evidence in Irish legal proceedings.  Delivered by highly experienced Barristers, the Masterclass covers the core duties, procedural requirements, and common pitfalls that apply to expert witnesses in all disciplines. If you are preparing to write an expert report, attend court, or advise on matters in litigation, this course provides the legal and practical grounding to approach that work with confidence and clarity.  It is strongly recommended that no professional acts as an expert witness or gives evidence in court without first understanding the material covered here. Experts who complete this course are classified as "Masterclass Experts" by The Expert Witness Site, a quality assurance indicator for Solicitors seeking an Expert Witness. 

Part 1: Fundamentals

• The Irish court system: structures, roles, and legal teams • The role of an expert witness vs a witness of fact • When experts are required and how they are instructed

Part 2: Legal Duties of the Expert

• The duties of the expert as recognised by Irish law • Independence from the legal team and client • How experts are expected to engage with other experts and the court • Legal and professional consequences of non-compliance

Part 3: Relevant Court Rules

• An overview of Order 39 of the Rules of the Superior Courts • Disclosure of expert reports and commentary • Joint reports, expert meetings, and concurrent evidence (“hot-tubbing”) • Key differences from UK rules (e.g., CPR 35 does not apply in Ireland)

Part 4: Caselaw and Pitfalls

• Examples of expert evidence being discredited or excluded • Analysis of relevant Irish and international cases • Common reporting errors, breaches of duty, and issues around bias

Part 5: Reports and Giving Evidence

• Structure, content, and language of a clear and legally compliant expert report • Declarations, financial disclosures, and referencing of materials • Giving oral evidence: examination-in-chief and cross-examination • Practical preparation for court and professional conduct in the witness box

Downloadable Course Slides

To support your learning, this Masterclass includes a downloadable copy of the presentation slides used throughout the course. Use this resource to follow along, review key points, and refresh your understanding at any time.

Who Should Take This Course?

This training is appropriate for professionals who may be engaged to act as expert witnesses, including: ⦿ Engineers, surveyors, architects ⦿ Accountants and actuaries ⦿ Medical and healthcare practitioners ⦿ Psychologists and forensic experts ⦿ Anyone with specialist expertise likely to be used in litigation

Course Format

⦿ Online, self-paced video content ⦿ Includes templates, report guidelines, and reference documents ⦿ Certificate of Completion available ⦿ Fully aligned with current Irish legal practice

Why Take This Training?

Many professionals assume that expertise alone is enough when acting as a witness. However, expert evidence is subject to specific legal standards, procedural rules, and ethical duties. Failure to comply can affect the outcome of a case — and may have serious professional consequences. This Masterclass helps ensure that you are fully prepared before writing a report, engaging with legal teams, or giving evidence in court.

Curriculum

6 Chapters · 23 Lessons

  1. 1

    Introduction to The Expert Witness Site Masterclass

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Part 1: Introduction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction - Eavanna and Mark

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      What to expect from this Masterclass

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Powerpoint Explainer

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      The Expert Witness Masterclass Slides

  2. 2

    PART 1: THE BASICS

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Masterclass PPT 1

  3. 3

    PART 2: THE DUTIES OF THE EXPERT

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Masterclass PPT 2

  4. 4

    PART 3: THE RELEVANT COURT RULES

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Masterclass PPT 3

  5. 5

    PART 4: CASELAW AND COMMON PITFALLS

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Update on case law

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Masterclass PPT 4

  6. 6

    PART 5: THE REPORT AND THE EVIDENCE

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Masterclass PPT 5

Why Leading Experts Recommend This Masterclass:

 

”
This course is essential, even if you’ve already completed expert witness training. It provides up-to-date, objective guidance on what you should—and just as importantly, shouldn’t—do as an expert witness.
James Northridge

 

”
A superb, in-depth and extremely professional presentation… always new information to be learnt and forgotten information and procedures to be remembered and refreshed.
Ray Kane

 

”
As the author of Lawyers Professional Negligence and Insurance, I would go so far as to say that it would be negligent not to attend this Masterclass if one is purporting to hold oneself out as an expert witness.
Bill Holohan

 

”
Following a very informative and engaging masterclass… I quickly bought the professional handbook for extra guidance.
Maighread Kelly

 

”
I have now become a 'Preferred Expert' after completing the masterclass.
Joe Kelly