High Court Rules 2016

In a proceeding that is to be tried by Judge alone and in which a question for an expert witness arises, the court may at any time, on its own initiative or on the application of a party, appoint an independent expert, or, if more than 1 such question arises, 2 or more such experts, to inquire into and report upon any question of fact or opinion not involving questions of law or of construction.

An expert appointed under subclause (1) is referred to in this rule and in rules 9.37 to 9.42 as a court expert.

A court expert in a proceeding must, if possible, be a person agreed upon by the parties and, failing agreement, the court must appoint the court expert from persons named by the parties.

A person appointed as an independent expert in a proceeding under rule 9.44(3) may not be appointed as a court expert unless the parties agree.

In this rule, expert, in relation to a question arising in a proceeding, means a person who has the knowledge or experience of, or in connection with, that question that makes that person’s opinion on it admissible in evidence.