The unique position of professionals who witness climate change is to take part in the global warming debate. They may act as advocates and stress a particular side of the debate, but they have a different obligation to the public than a citizen. Their witnessing must be impartial and objective to ensure the facts are correct.
Witnessing is not an easy task. There are both practical and political constraints. In particular, there are tensions between the obligation to serve the public and the responsibility to respect professional knowledge. In addition, professional witnessing requires a clear and persuasive communication style to engage the public. Tension is created by the need to be persuasive in public speech and the obligation to present 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 summoned by a defense attorney, family lawyer 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 under oath in the court. This requires them to be familiar with their roles and the GMC guidelines for giving evidence. The witness should be prepared to answer questions from the barristers in the courtroom.
Expert testimony is an essential component of criminal and civil cases. Expert witnesses are often called upon to 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. Therefore, it is imperative to do research on the topic and identify 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 field studies, scholarly works, and trainings that provide a solid foundation of knowledge. They must also prepare a report prior to trial. This allows the opposing party the opportunity to cross-examine them.