ABSTRACT
Evidence is all the material on which either party seeks to rely on to prove their case, it is what the court sees or hears. A witness statement is a document recording the evidence of a person, which is signed by that person to confirm that the contents of the statement are true. Experts, and indeed environmental health practitioners (EHPs), who are considering offering themselves as expert witnesses must be aware of the rules governing the conduct of expert witnesses and must abide by them. Clear evidence of expertise in the form of qualifications, papers published, etc. must be provided to satisfy the court of expertise. Importantly, the EHP will give opinion evidence on only one point: whether, in his or her opinion and based upon all of the factual evidence he or she gives as a lay witness, something is prejudicial to health or is a nuisance.
