On 31 March 2026, Clyde & Co attended the second session in McCollum Consultants’ 2026 Expert Witness CPD Programme, held at The Spire Hospital in Manchester. This event continued the series’ focus on collaboration between legal professionals and expert witnesses via CPD‑accredited training. 

Where January’s session explored the instruction of experts, this second evening turned to the trial process and the art of cross‑examination.

An Inside Look at the Trial Process

The evening opened with a joint seminar from Iain Dodds and Guy Pomphrey of Stewarts, offering a look into the work of legal practitioners in the lead up to a civil trial.

This session provided a valuable insight, especially for attendees less familiar with the procedural steps taken by solicitors that shape expert witness involvement.

Mastering Cross‑Examination

Following the seminar, Gerard McDermott KC delivered a compelling deep dive into the one of the most technical aspects of the trial process: cross-examination.

Gerard advised that advocates will pay particular attention to:

• Whether experts have read the articles they refer to within their evidence;
• Whether experts have really understood the literature;
• How objective the expert has been; and
• Whether the expert has dealt with a range of opinion and considered alternatives

The attendees were then treated to a mock cross-examination, showcasing the techniques used by advocates in attempts to undermine and pick apart an expert’s evidence. 

This interactive session showcased not only the skill of an advocate, but the pressure that experts face when giving evidence, offering a realistic and engaging learning experience.

Panel Discussion

The evening concluded with another panel discussion. On panel were:

• Marc Harries, Clyde & Co
• Peter Walmsley, Horwich Farrelly
• Sara Stanger, JMW Solicitors
• Iain Dodd, Stewarts
• Guy Pomphrey, Stewarts
• Ben Gent, Slater & Gordon

The panel emphasised that, in practice, a significant part of an expert’s credibility rests on their understanding of the material they have produced. Expert reports are more than a document filed months before trial, they become the foundation upon which their oral evidence stands. If an expert appears unfamiliar with their own work, it can impact the Court's confidence in the reliability of their evidence, whilst also opening the door to a potentially damaging cross‑examination. 

Similarly, understanding the detail of their CV is essential - anything expert witnesses include as part of their professional experience within their CV’s can become fair ground for questioning in Court. 

This final session reinforced the importance of communication and consistency between experts and those instructing them — a message that runs through the entire CPD series. 

Strengthening Collaboration and Confidence

Beyond the structured learning, the event again served as a valuable opportunity to connect with expert witnesses and legal professionals.

We look forward to returning for the next event in June 2026.