Excellence in Report Writing: Written Evidence Skills
This is a course for Natural England Staff Only:
Please do not book on if you are not a member of Natural England staff.
This virtual course focuses on report writing of information that may be challenged or used as evidence
Expert witnesses must submit a written report to the court or inquiry. That report must comply with the relevant Procedure Rules about its contents. The report must contain the expert's full, professional opinion on all the expert issues in the case.
Well-structured, clearly expressed reports help the inquiry to identify and narrow the issues and can help the parties to settle matters before the event; they will insulate the expert from lengthy attacks on their evidence under cross- examination.
Key learning outcomes:
• understand the requirements of the Procedure Rules about expert reports
• develop a report structure which is clear and readable
• develop and hone a report writing style which clearly, simply and accurately identifies
the issues and the facts
• develop and hone a report writing style which clearly, simply and accurately expresses
the expert's evidence gathering and analysis and opinions
• ensure that the correct declarations are included in the report
• develop an objective and critical eye in relation to report
C ourse Pre - work
To get the most out of this course you will need to set some time aside to do a small amount of pre work:
Please bring with you a copy of a report that you have written from a completed case or a hypothetical report.
If you have not produced written evidence before or only have evidence from a live matter, please draft hypothetical evidence that could be based a colleague’s case, a reported case or made up from your experience. The content must cover facts and issues that will enable you to demonstrate your skills within your own field of expertise.
Please do not use material that will or may be used in future proceedings. This report should be in the same state as if you were taking it to court for real and include any photographs, plans etc that are referred to. Please obtain permission to use the report if not anonymous
