About Us

The Institute of Expert Witnesses (IEW) was founded in 1996 to provide a forum for professionals working - or looking to work - as expert witnesses in legal cases involving leisure, physical, recreation, educational and sporting activities.  

The brainchild of Peter Wright OBE, the Institute was initially set up to provide advice and support for members of the Association for Physical Education (AfPE) (formerly known as the British Association of Advisors and Lecturers in Physical Education - baalpe) drawing together their vast wisdom in the area of safety, mentoring new members and bringing confidence to existing expert witnesses.

With his considerable legal experience, Peter could see the immense value that an organisation like the IEW could bring to the work and professional development of his peers which is now reflected in the standing and status of the Institute from within the legal profession.

 

 

Expert Witness Experience

The main focus of the IEW's work centres around providing support and training for its individual members who been involved in many settlements and key landmark trials since the inception of the IEW.  

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has been central to the work of the Institute enabling colleagues to meet and share their expert witness experiences in a wide range of alleged negligence cases and keeping the IEW up to speed with current practice and in identifying accident trends. 

Meanwhile, IEW training is provided by legal training consultants Bond Solon Ltd with qualified barristers leading courses and accreditation in topics including 'Excellence in Report Writing', 'Court Room Skills', 'Cross Examination' and 'The Single Joint Expert Role'.  

On a wider scale, the Institute has also laid down a standard scale of reasonable and minimum fees and charges for instructing solicitors ensuring that its members' expert witness services are adequately rewarded at a credible professional level.

 

Expert Witness Services  

The Institute and its members have also used their expert witness expertise to influence AfPE's 'Safe Practice in Physical Education and School Sport' publication and contributed it's excellent and innovative 2005 book 'Case Law in Physical Education and School Sport: A Guide to Good Practice', published in 2005.

As an organisation, the IEW is properly constituted and financially independent with members paying an annual membership fee which is used to financially assist individual members in attending national conferences.  

It carefully recruits members based on qualifications, reputation and experience ensuring the maintenance of high quality expert witness services with meetings held at the Salvation Army UK headquarters in London with regional meetings held by groups across the country. 

If you're interested in joining the Institute of Expert Witnesses or finding out more about our expert witness services please contact us on 01395 263 247 or at enquiries@iew.org.uk.