I have been called as an expert witness on transportation matters at over 200 Public Local Inquiries, throught Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, and in Court and in Land Tribunals. I am therefore one of the most experienced and best-known witnesses in this field in Scotland.
My philosophy is simple: preparation is paramount. Every conversation, every meeting, and every letter or report may contain evidence which may be brought up later at Inquiry. The skill is in recalling those relevant documents, and in compiling them, in evidence, in a convincing argument to support the case, and in communicating as far as possible in non- technical language for the benefit of the Reporter or Inspector, legal representatives and the public in attendance.
More recently, more appeals have been heard at Hearings rather than formal Public Inquiries. Although generally less confrontational, Hearings require very different skills, to be able to listen carefully to arguments and to be able to identify points which have a bearing on the consideration of transportation matters (even if not directly). The ability to communicate clearly and concisely is perhaps even more essential at Hearings than at Inquiry.
I am available to undertake expert witness work for a full range of proposals, either where I have been the transportation consultant throughout, or to review a proposed appeal case, and to offer advice on the evidence and on how it should best be presented.
