537 experts participated in the 2024 Bond Solon Expert Witness Survey

537 experts participated in the?2024 Bond Solon Expert Witness Survey, conducted with the Law Society Gazette. The results highlight ongoing issues between experts and solicitors, including pressure from solicitors on experts to provide 'sympathetic' opinions, late payment of experts' fees and conflicts of interest. These concerns arise amid heightened scrutiny of the justice system following the Lucy Letby trial and the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, emphasising the need for reform. Here are some key take-aways from the survey report:

1. ‘Hired Guns’ and Conflicts of Interest Over one-third of experts reported encountering 'hired guns' in the past year - experts whose opinions align with their paymasters. One in five noted conflicts of interest, echoing Gareth Jenkins’ admission of altered testimony under instruction during the Post Office inquiry.
2. Pressure to Alter Findings Nearly 25% of respondents experienced pressure from solicitors to change their opinions, with some facing abusive behaviour. One expert shared: “I have been placed under pressure to change my findings in a case. The solicitor became abusive… I ended my involvement, which led to more abuse.”
3. Late Payments Experts continue to face late or unpaid fees, with many reporting that solicitors fail to honour terms of engagement. Over 50% of experts also noted stagnant fees over the past year, compounding their financial frustrations.