The Immigration Tribunal Practice Direction 2024 expresses preference for single joint experts where appropriate. Where multiple experts are instructed, tribunals may direct joint expert meetings to identify areas of agreement and disagreement, reducing hearing time and focusing cross-examination on genuinely disputed issues.
Joint expert meetings should produce a joint statement setting out: agreed facts and methodology, areas of disagreement with reasons, and any matters requiring tribunal determination. The joint statement is exchanged alongside individual expert reports.
Experts attending joint meetings must maintain independence. Agreement in a joint statement does not compromise the expert's duty to the tribunal — it reflects genuine consensus on matters within shared expertise. Disagreement should be clearly articulated with reasoning.
Solicitors should facilitate joint meetings promptly after exchange of expert reports. Delay in joint meetings compresses hearing preparation time and may result in tribunal criticism of both parties.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are joint expert meetings?
Meetings between experts instructed by different parties to identify areas of agreement and disagreement. The outcome is typically a joint statement exchanged with the tribunal, reducing hearing time on undisputed expert matters.
When will the tribunal direct a single joint expert?
Where the tribunal considers one expert sufficient for the issues in dispute — common in country condition cases with overlapping expertise. Early instruction of a joint expert avoids duplication and reduces costs.