Expert Witness Familiarisation Training

HSE's requirements are for a familiarisation course in 2021 for up to nine candidates, to be repeated on an annual basis for two further years (2022 and 2023). The numbers attending the course are limited due to the requirements for social distancing of 2 metres in accordance with government Covid-19 rules.

Delegates will provide copies of a suitable output, e.g. technical report, witness statement, etc. for use in giving evidence, which will be reviewed by the course tutors and used in the practical experience scenario. The output will preferably be the delegate's own work, but shall be something that they can speak to under cross-examination. Any such output will not be subject to, nor have the likelihood of being subject to, legal proceedings at the time of the training course.

In order to provide consistency in quotations and delivery, it is expected that the course will take place over three days and that the practical experience session will involve small groups of up to five delegates giving evidence in a mock courtroom with barristers in attendance. Following the practical session, there should be an opportunity for reflection and further learning.

Having attended the course, delegates are expected to be able to demonstrate familiarity with the context of criminal proceedings, understand the role of an expert, admissibility of expert evidence, understand the requirements of the expert report and how it is used at a trial. The delegates should also acquire an understanding of the Scottish legal system and how it relates to expert witnesses. During the course, delegates will have the opportunity to gain practical experience of giving evidence-in-chief and in being cross-examined by an advocate in a mock trial scenario,

Additional information: All tender documents are available via the HSE In-Tend supplier e-procurement portal. All responses and requests for clarification must be submitted via the portal. Registration is free of charge and can be completed via the following link:

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/hse