Climate Change Professionals Witness

The unique position of professionals who witness climate change is to take part in the global warming debate. While they may be advocates for a particular side of the issue, they have a different obligation than citizens to the public. As such, their witnessing must avoid bias and ensure that facts highlighted are accurate.

However, the practice of witnessing is not easy. There are both practical and political constraints. There are tensions between the obligation of serving the public and the obligation to respect professional knowledge. Professional witnessing requires professional witnesses to communicate clearly and persuasively with the public. The need to be persuasive in public speech creates tension with the duty to represent expert knowledge responsibly.

In criminal cases, professional witnesses can be called to testify in court. They may be summoned by the Procurator Fiscal, Reporter on the Children’s Panel or any other legal counsel. They may also be called to court by a defence attorney, family or child lawyer. In these situations, witnesses will receive formal notices requiring them to attend.

In certain cases, a professional witness may be called upon to testify. Their role will be to interpret the facts of a case. They will be required to take oath before the court. This requires them to be familiar with their roles and the GMC guidelines for giving evidence. The witness should be ready to answer questions from the barristers during the trial.

Expert testimony is an important component of civil and criminal cases. Forensic experts often testify. Judges will benefit from their expertise in complex scientific issues. As such, these professionals are crucial in deciding the fate of a case. The role of an expert witness varies from one case to the next.

A comprehensive investigation of the opposing expert witness is standard procedure for litigators. A failure to thoroughly vet an expert witness can expose an attorney to professional liability or even a negligence claim. It is important to research the topic and find thought leaders and respected professionals. Conducting research is necessary to gain a better understanding of the subject and to determine if expert opinions are helpful.

Expert witnesses are required to establish a proper chain of custody for the evidence they provide. This chain of custody includes scholarly works, field studies and trainings that build a firm foundation of knowledge. In addition, they must prepare a report before trial, which allows the opposing party to cross-examine the expert.