An expert is a person with a high degree of knowledge or skill in a particular field. An expert is a specialist who has special skill or knowledge in a particular subject, such as a science or art, whether acquired by experience or study. An expert is someone widely recognised as a reliable source of technique or skill whose faculty for judging or deciding rightly, justly, or wisely is accorded authority and status by their peers or the public in a specific well-distinguished domain. An expert, more generally, is a person with extensive knowledge or ability based on research, experience, or occupation and in a particular area of study. Experts are called in for advice on their respective subject, but they do not always agree on the particulars of a field of study. An expert can be, by virtue of credential, training, education, profession, publication or experience, believed to have special knowledge of a subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially (and legally) rely upon the individual’s opinion. Historically, an expert was referred to as a sage. The individual was usually a profound thinker distinguished for wisdom and sound judgment.
Experts have a prolonged or intense experience through practice and education in a particular field. In specific fields, the definition of expert is well established by consensus and therefore it is not necessary for an individual to have a professional or academic qualification for them to be accepted as an expert. In this respect, a shepherd with 50 years of experience tending flocks would be widely recognised as having complete expertise in the use and training of sheep dogs and the care of sheep.
Other definitions of expert witness on the web:
- A witness who has knowledge not normally possessed by the average person concerning the topic that he is to testify about (princeton.edu/perl/webwn).
- An expert witness or professional witness is an expert, who by virtue of education, training, skill, or experience, is believed to have expertise and specialised knowledge in a particular subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially and legally rely upon … (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expert witness).
- A witness who has been shown to the Court to be qualified by their special knowledge skill or experience (scientific, technical, or other) and who can testify as an expert in a specific field. Expert witnesses can give opinions based on their special knowledge or skill (delaware.gov/how%20to/court%20proceedings/).
- A person who has provided expert medical testimony during a trial or administrative hearing, in a deposition or an affidavit, or in any other type of legal proceeding (neurology.org/misc/IFA_Definitions_of_terms_in_Authorship.doc).
- A witness who, by training, education, experience or profession, presents testimony and/or renders an opinion that aids the trier of fact in understanding an element of the crime or matter before it. …(alcoda.org/faqs/legal_terms).
- An individual with a specialised knowledge of a certain field that can assist in the understanding of complicated information or offer an expert opinion (forensicsciencecentral.bravehost.com/glossary.shtml).
- Persons with particular knowledge or skill which enables them to give an opinion on the facts in dispute.
(com/Real_Estate_Terms.html). - An individual who possesses specialized knowledge through skill, education, training, or experience beyond that of the ordinary person or juror, and whose knowledge will aid the Trier of fact (jury, judge, arbitrator) in reaching a proper decision. … (adlergiersch.com/personal-injury-legal-terms).
- A person who is a specialist in a subject, often technical, who may present his or her expert opinion without having been a witness to any occurrence relating to the lawsuit (biznc.com/legal_glossaries/toxic_torts/glossarye.html).
- One who provides opinion and advice based on evidence reviewed and their expertise in a given area or profession.
(michaelschuch.com/terminlogy_definitions). - An individual called to testify at a trial that is specially trained or has technical expertise in a particular field of knowledge who can offer an “expert” opinion regarding a particular subject. This witness is allowed to offer their opinion on the meaning of facts (gevurtzmenashe.com/glossary.asp).
- This is a witness who usually has special knowledge in a particular field and may provide opinions or evidence to support or refute a claim. Expert witnesses include doctors, engineers, economists and accident re-constructionists. …
(sharrardlaw.com/dictionary.html). - A witness with a specialised knowledge of a subject who is allowed to discuss an event in court even though he / she was not present. For example, a medical expert will provide a report detailing the nature and extent of the injuries and their effect upon the injured person. … (pb4law.co.uk/piglossary.htm).
- unlike a fact witness, an expert witness provides specialised testimony to assist the court in determining an issue that is not readily apparent to a lay person, such as the value of property, welfare of children, health of a party, fitness of a parent, employability of a party or other issue … (thardmanlaw.com/glossary.htm).
- The court, the prosecuting attorney, or the defense attorney may call upon a qualified medical professional (including psychologists) to testify in court regarding an individual’s psychological status or to clarify psychological findings in accordance with legal guidelines, as in insanity pleas … (com/glossary.htm).
