Thursday 24th September 2015 marked the 15th anniversary of the Expert Witness Institute (EWI) Annual Conference. The conference returned once more to the superb venue at Church House Conference Centre in Westminster and was by general acclaim a great success.
As always the conference was very well attended by EWI members, representatives from the legal profession, practising expert witnesses and members of the press. Your Expert Witness were proud to have been one of the event sponsors. Over 190 delegates were in attendance throughout the day, a record for the EWI conference.
The conference, expertly chaired by EWI governor, Mrs Amanda Stevens, covered a wide range of topics aimed at educating and informing the delegates. The conference paid special attention to the anniversary of the Magna Carta with the opening panel session, chaired by Michael Napier CBE QC, addressing the question 'Was Runnymede 1215 the first hot-tub?'.
Over the course of the morning, topics included CJC proposals for on-line dispute resolution; new challenges for lawyers, experts and courts; and Austerity and Civil Justice. The EWI chair, Sir Anthony Hooper, updated delegates on what has been a very exciting year for the Institute. The morning session concluded with His Hon Judge Allan Gore QC who gave his 'View from the bench'.
A packed afternoon schedule included a fascinating Forensic Sciences panel session on 'Dispelling the fiction of the perfect crime' and a most informative costs session with Peter Hurst and Nicholas Bacon QC. Donald Fowler and Patrick Allen gave their perspective on the recent Whiplash Reforms and the afternoon concluded with a lively presentation on hot-tubbing.
At the post conference dinner, fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, Dr Harry Brunjes and Dr Andrew Johns presented 'Dial Medicine for Murder' a fascinating dissection of the notorious careers of Dr Harold Shipman and Dr John Bodkin Adams - the two most infamous physicians of the twentieth century.
Next year is the EWI's 20th anniversary and plans for a very special conference are already underway.