October '07
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For Expert Witnesses & Legal Professionals Nationwide

As many of our readers are aware, the Law Society has now accredited X-Pro as an approved CPD provider for solicitors. All of our registered experts are therefore eligible to participate in delivering lectures through us on their chosen topic of expertise. Everyone gains from this as it’s great marketing for the expert, whilst legal practitioners obtain a useful insight into the work of an expert and how to avoid some common mistakes when instructing them. Please keep an eye on the site for further developments at www.xproexperts.co.uk where we will post news of dates, venues etc. and a booking form. We hope you enjoy the October issue of X-Pro News.
Law
  		• Gull v Gull [2007] EWCA Civ 900 Family, Contempt (Court of Appeal; 31 August 2007) Family case where non-molestation orders had been breached repeatedly by a vulnerable party with low intelligence. The case highlights the balance between this and the obvious contempt when considering sentence.
  		• Re M (Residence Order) Family, Residence, Experts (Court of Appeal; 24 August 2007) The Court remitted a case where a Recorder had preferred a mother’s evidence that flew in the face of the body of expert opinion concerning, inter alia, her drug addiction.
  		• A New Homicide Act for England and Wales? Criminal; The original consultation paper published by the Law Commission. The report sets out proposals for the reform of the law on murder in England and Wales and makes for interesting reading.

    Events
    16 - 17th October
    (Hinckley)     		ACPO National Fingerprint Conference.
    29 - 30th Oct
    (Watford)     		Institute of Accident Traffic Investigators Conference.
    30/10-1/11
    (Edinburgh)     		Criminal & Environmental Forensics Workshop.
    October Bond Solon will be running various courses for experts.

    Articles
    ‘The Grand Canyon of Expertise: Knowledge Transfer, Mentoring & The Cult of The Amateur’ : Fascinating paper from the U.S. by Marilynne Miles Gray of Mentoring Solutions, Inc. that explores, amongst other things, the seven key characteristics of an expert. Recommended reading.

    In The News

    01/09/07 (UK): ASBO Twins Are Autistic, Says Expert. Plans to impose an anti-social behaviour order on identical twins have been set back because medical reports show they suffer from Asperger's syndrome.


    31/08/07 (UK): MMR Part 1: Doctor Cleared in ‘False Evidence’ Case. A GP accused of misleading a court over the risks of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) and other vaccines has been cleared of serious professional misconduct.


    29/08/07 (USA): MMR Part 2: Autism Case Over – Judgment Awaited. In the U.S. the first case has just concluded and it seems that Dr. Andrew Wakefield's theories have also caused considerable ripples outside the U.K.


    28/08/07 (Aus): Now It’s Official: Speed Cameras Do Lie. A recent Australian case has revealed that speed cameras are not as foolproof as many thought. Are the floodgates about to open?


    24/08/07 (CAN): Forensic Evidence Can Survive The Flames. In an interesting follow up to the ‘Bug Woman’ story in the August edition of ‘X-Pro News’, a researcher has said that murderers who torch bodies won't be destroying all the evidence.


    14/08/07 (Sudan): Drawn in Darfur. Could childrens’ pictures be used in evidence in future trials? Prosecutors may use images by Darfur’s children showing civilians under attack as evidence in a future war crimes trial.


    10/08/07 (UK): Fire Investigation Criticised By Expert Witness. A probe into a fire at an Aberdeen flat was not carried out properly, an expert witness has told a court.


    02/08/07 (UK): Abuse Convictions Raises Expert’s Concerns. One of the UK's leading experts on child abuse has raised doubts about the conviction of a social worker after an investigation into a residential school in Ayrshire.


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