(1) A court may make an order appointing an expert—
(a) to assist the court; and
(b) to inquire into and report on any issue in a proceeding.
(2) The court may make an order appointing a court appointed expert at any stage of the proceeding.
(3) In making an order to appoint a court appointed expert, the court must consider—
(a) whether the appointment of a court appointed expert would be disproportionate to—
(i) the complexity or importance of the issues in dispute; and
(ii) the amount in dispute in the proceeding;
(b) whether the issue falls within a substantially established area of knowledge;
(c) whether it is necessary for the court to have a range of expert opinion;
(d) the likelihood of the appointment expediting or delaying the trial;
(e) any other relevant consideration.
(4) A person must not be appointed as a court appointed expert unless he or she consents to the appointment.
S. 65N inserted by No. 62/2012 s. 10.