The primary role of an expert witness is to express expert opinions in connection with legal disputes. Many expert witnesses have skills readily transferable to a number of other roles such as speakers at international conventions and conferences of other professionals in the same or related fields, advisory roles to documentary film-makers, interviews on TV and Radio news programs, Panel members in TV discussion programs, reviews of the work of professionals in the same expertise, advisory roles in governmental working parties.
Some experts are willing to undertake other commissions.
Private individuals would not normally turn to an expert witness except through the services of a Solicitor. Medical expert witnesses, for example, do not promote their expertise here in order to invite a dialogue with an individual over their personal or family medical conditions. An expert may be willing to work for an individual but you should be prepared for them to decline the commission. An expert may wish to review the case notes prior to a decision to become involved and may charge a professional fee for the time taken to make this determination. The expert s charges are likely to be substantial and the expert may wish to make enquiries to confirm that the client has the resources to meet the costs.