Transcript Role of expert in international arbitration

Role of expert in international
arbitration
Josef Kotrba (on behalf of Andrew Flower)
Prague, September 2014
Who is the expert witness
“Persons who are professionally acquainted with some science or are skilled in
some art or trade, or who have experience or knowledge in relation to matters which
are not generally known to the people.”
Quoted from Miller v. Slate, 9 Okl. Cr. 255, 131, p. 717, 718, L.R.A. 1915A, 1088,
cited in Black’s Law Dictionary, at n. 40.
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The role of an expert witness
• Primary role:
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Provide tribunal with independent and objective expertise with neutral view of case
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Establish and measure economic losses (if any), value of a business
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Present expert opinion with conclusions
• Advisory/consultant role:
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Role of case strategy consultant
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Objective to maximize client’s interests; perform reasonable, defensible analysis
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No requirement to be independent
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Distinct from testifying expert witness
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The services provided by an expert witness
• Primary services:
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Identify and explain technical issues relating to valuation, accounting, finance and
economics
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Prepare expert report(s) – expert’s opinion on damages
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Review other expert reports - provide commentary or critique
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Attendance at hearing – oral testimony, cross-examination, witness conferencing,
assistance during questioning of opposing expert
• Other services:
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Identify financial and accounting information needed to assess damages
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Review documents, for relevance to financial matters
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Obtain external information and conduct research (e.g. industry data)
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To enable effective outcome
• Define the scope (recognizing this can shift)
• Plan adequate time
• Enquire as to availability re. key dates
• Consider teaming with other experts e.g. industry
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Things to watch out for (I)
• Mechanical/calculation/arithmetic errors
• Use of unsupported or different assumptions
• Double-counting
• Reliance on management forecast without adequate due diligence
• Unsupported or different facts relied upon
• Interpretation of facts/information, different experience of experts
• Provide opinion on matters outside of expertise (e.g. legal opinion)
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Things to watch out for (II)
• Acting as an advocate rather than assisting the court/tribunal
• Overly technical, not understandable by non-expert
• “Reality” test – does not assess the overall reasonableness of conclusions,
evaluate quantum of loss as a whole
• Does not consider other methods of quantifying loss as a ‘cross check’
• Inflexibility / unwillingness to acknowledge errors, weaknesses
• Invention of new valuation methodologies!
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Testimony (II)
• Preparation
• Brief direct examination
• Anticipate cross-examination questions
• Draft cross-examination questions for opposing expert
• Signal for issues on re-direct
• Use of expert’s senior team
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Strategies and Practical Tips for Working With
Experts (I)
• Often useful to appoint the expert from the outset
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Expert can identify key weaknesses in assumptions over damages/ valuation
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Can give initial estimate as to likely loss/ valuation
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Assistance with production of documents
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Avoid false economies
• Selecting the right expert
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Substantive expertise and the wherewithal to deliver within the process
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Set realistic deadlines / timetables
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Unrealistic deadlines have cost/ efficiency implications
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Scope for errors increase
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Strategies and Practical Tips for Working With
Experts (II)
• Preserving the expert’s independence
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The expert ‘s opinions are their own
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The expert ‘s opinions need to be built on a firm factual and legal foundation
• Communication is key
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Throughout the process
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Interaction with other experts
• Cost management
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Limit the number of ‘alternative scenarios’
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Plan adequate time
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Accessibility of the client
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Access to client data
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