Expert Witness
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – Section 3 Enforcement for England and Wales provides legal guidance for investigation of incidents that may have arisen as a result of breaches under this section. Enforcing authorities will offer advice and information to the duty holder if they are failing to comply. However, where appropriate improvement notices, prohibition orders or formal cautions may be issued and enforced and in this case specialist inspectors might need to get involved in these investigations either as part of the investigation team or as an independent expert witness.
The specialist knowledge of these inspectors involved allows them to be treated as an expert witness in the event of a prosecution. An expert witness should provide independent assistance to the court in relation to matters within her or his own expertise. They should state the facts upon which their opinions are based as individual cases.
AEC can provide such expertise and knowledge in assisting and supporting such investigations in line with the HSE's Enforcement Policy Statement.
For further information, call our commercial team on 0161 872 7111.
