New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

UNIFORM CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES 2005 - REG 31.35

31.35 Opinion evidence by expert witnesses

(cf Federal Court Rules , Order 34A, rule 3)
In any proceedings in which two or more parties call expert witnesses to give opinion evidence about the same issue or similar issues, or indicate to the court an intention to call expert witnesses for that purpose, the court may give any one or more of the following directions--

(a) a direction that, at trial--

(i) the expert witnesses give evidence after all factual evidence relevant to the issue or issues concerned, or such evidence as may be specified by the court, has been adduced, or

(ii) the expert witnesses give evidence at any stage of the trial, whether before or after the plaintiff has closed his or her case, or

(iii) each party intending to call one or more expert witnesses close that party's case in relation to the issue or issues concerned, subject only to adducing evidence of the expert witnesses later in the trial,

(b) a direction that, after all factual evidence relevant to the issue, or such evidence as may be specified by the court, has been adduced, each expert witness file an affidavit or statement indicating--

(i) whether the expert witness adheres to any opinion earlier given, or

(ii) whether, in the light of any such evidence, the expert witness wishes to modify any opinion earlier given,

(c) a direction that the expert witnesses--

(i) be sworn one immediately after another (so as to be capable of making statements, and being examined and cross-examined, in accordance with paragraphs (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h)), and

(ii) when giving evidence, occupy a position in the courtroom (not necessarily the witness box) that is appropriate to the giving of evidence,

(d) a direction that each expert witness give an oral exposition of his or her opinion, or opinions, on the issue or issues concerned,

(e) a direction that each expert witness give his or her opinion about the opinion or opinions given by another expert witness,

(f) a direction that each expert witness be cross-examined in a particular manner or sequence,

(g) a direction that cross-examination or re-examination of the expert witnesses giving evidence in the circumstances referred to in paragraph (c) be conducted--

(i) by completing the cross-examination or re-examination of one expert witness before starting the cross-examination or re-examination of another, or

(ii) by putting to each expert witness, in turn, each issue relevant to one matter or issue at a time, until the cross-examination or re-examination of all of the expert witnesses is complete,

(h) a direction that any expert witness giving evidence in the circumstances referred to in paragraph (c) be permitted to ask questions of any other expert witness together with whom he or she is giving evidence as so referred to,

(i) such other directions as to the giving of evidence in the circumstances referred to in paragraph (c) as the court thinks fit.