The work and outstanding contributions of three well known individuals to the work of Expert Witnesses and the Legal Profession has been recognised by The Academy of Experts [TAE].
At its annual dinner held at Butcher’s Hall on Wednesday 5th November Academy President, Lord Saville of Newdigate, inducted Rt Hon Lord Woolf of Barnes and Sir Peter Cresswell as Companions of The Academy of Experts. At the same time Lord Howe of Aberavon, Lord Saville’s predecessor as Academy President was made an Honorary Fellow of The Academy of Experts. Amongst the other guests at the dinner were Minister of State for Justice, Lord Faulks QC, and the Chairman of the Bar, Nicholas Lavender QC.
Lord Woolf of Barnes
As Master of the Rolls Lord Woolf was instrumental in the introduction of the Civil Procedure Rules. He has had a long and distinguished career gaining international renown and influencing the reform of civil procedure in many jurisdictions. The phrase ‘the spirit of Woolf’ has become the measure and reminder around the Common Law world of the new approach that Lord Woolf breathed into the legal world. It marked the end of the legal practice of trial by ambush and introduced the concept of level playing fields.
Sir Peter Cresswell
Sir Peter Cresswell, as the Hon Mr Justice Cresswell, tried a large number of cases involving Experts. Many, like the litigation concerning Lloyds, were long and complex. Sir Peter’s unique contribution to Experts and the law relating to them, was started off the coast of Sierra Leone just before midnight on 12th April 1985. A vessel insured for some $3million ran aground. Some seven years later it fell to Sir Peter to determine the dispute on the loss of the ‘Ikarian Reefer’. More than twenty years later what is now called ‘The Ikarian Reefer Rules’ are still the hallmark of the duties of an expert witness.
Lord Howe of Aberavon CH QC
When in 1996 Geoffrey Howe accepted an invitation to become President of The Academy of Experts he stipulated it would be for a maximum of two years. During the next ten years as President he helped guide TAE through interesting times and showed how to survive and achieve objectives in the increasingly bureaucratic world in which we now live. His quiet, thoughtful advice, guidance and support has been a positive influence lasting well beyond his presidency.
Academy President, Lord Saville said:
"The award of Companionship of The Academy of Experts to Lord Woolf and Sir Peter Cresswell is to mark their truly exceptional contribution to the development of methods of dispute resolution. The grant of Honorary Fellowship of The Academy of Experts to Lord Howe is to mark the exceptional work he did for The Academy as its President over many years."