ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ

Back to Resources & guides

Giving evidence in court guide

As a professional witness, you may attend a case in court and you may be required to provide a professional witness statement. This is a person who is deemed to have a professional qualification and has some direct professional involvement in the facts of the case. A professional witness does not interpret the facts or offer a personal/professional opinion unless asked to do so by the court.

An expert witness is one who gives relevant testimony from within their field of expertise and only from within their field of expertise. That witness may be a professional person such as a veterinary surgeon, but could be from any trade, or even someone with a unique knowledge of a set of circumstances that a member of the general public will not have. An expert witness gives an opinion to the court, often based on the factual evidence supplied by other witnesses.

Last revision: 2010Ìý
Edition: 1Ìý
Publisher: ÂÜÀòÊÓƵÌý
Number of pages: 6Ìý
Format: PDF


This guide contains:

  • Definitions of an expert witness, and a professional witness
  • Requirements when attending a case
  • Information about your professional witness statement
  • Tips about your appearance in court

TheÌý, provides advice on giving evidence for court and the difference between witnesses of fact or opinion.

British Veterinary Forensic and Law Association

Ìýaims to develop the interest and expertise members in all areas where the law affects the Veterinary Profession and act as a bridge between the legal and veterinary professions.

Free legal helpline for ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ members

Whether you're studying to become a vet or planning to retire, ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ offers support to members at every step with our free legal support services. This includes theÌý

Ìý

ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ members can login to download this guide

Giving evidence in court guide

JOIN TO DOWNLOAD