Guidelines for the Use of Concurrent Evidence in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Introduction These guidelines relate to the use of concurrent evidence in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The concurrent evidence procedure involves two or more experts giving evidence at the same time in an AAT hearing. It provides a forum in which, in addition to providing their own evidence, experts can listen to, question and comment on the evidence of the other expert(s). The objectives of using the concurrent evidence procedure in the AAT are to: create a setting in which the evidence and opinions of expert witnesses can be better explained, analysed and understood thereby enhancing the AAT's capacity to make the correct or preferable decision; assist expert witnesses in fulfilling their role as impartial advisers whose duty is to assist the AAT; enhance the efficient operation of AAT proceedings by reducing the overall time taken to hear and determine applications. These guidelines outline how the concurrent evidence procedure operates in the AAT. They include information on: factors that may be taken into account in deciding whether or not the concurrent evidence procedure will be used; the process for deciding whether or not the concurrent evidence procedure will be used; ow the concurrent evidence procedure usually operates; and the roles of the participants in the hearing. The guidelines have two purposes: to ensure that AAT members and staff, parties and their representatives and experts have a clear understanding of the concurrent evidence procedure; and to encourage consistency in