Report type 6
Expert Witness Report
An expert witness report prepared in compliance with the applicable court or tribunal rules, for use in VCAT proceedings, the Magistrates' Court, the County Court or the Supreme Court of Victoria.
A report the tribunal or court can rely on
An expert witness report is not simply a technical opinion — it is a document prepared for a specific forum, under specific rules, with a specific duty. The expert's duty is to the tribunal or court, not to the instructing party. Every Expert Witness Report prepared by Meridian acknowledges that duty explicitly, complies with the applicable procedural rules, and is structured to assist the decision-maker rather than to advocate for a position. Lee J. Thatcher is available for conclave, joint report preparation, and attendance to give oral evidence.
Compliance with court and tribunal rules
VCAT — PNVCAT2
Reports for Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal proceedings comply with Practice Note PNVCAT2, including the acknowledgement of the expert's duty to the Tribunal and the required declaration.
Supreme Court — Expert Witness Code of Conduct
Reports for Supreme Court of Victoria proceedings comply with the Expert Witness Code of Conduct in Schedule 1 of the Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules 2015.
Federal Court — GPN-EXPT
Reports for Federal Court proceedings comply with the Federal Court of Australia Expert Evidence Practice Note (GPN-EXPT), including the required acknowledgement of the expert's duty.
Magistrates' and County Court
Reports for Magistrates' Court and County Court proceedings are prepared to the applicable rules and practice directions for those courts.
What is included
- Compliance with PNVCAT2 (VCAT), the Supreme Court Expert Witness Code of Conduct, or GPN-EXPT as applicable
- Acknowledgement of the expert's duty to the tribunal or court
- Opinions on the questions in the letter of instruction
- Reasoning and basis for each opinion
- Signed report on the Meridian Expert Witness template
- Availability for conclave, joint report and attendance to give evidence
Not included: Legal advice or advocacy.
Who instructs an Expert Witness Report
Construction lawyers
Where a building dispute is proceeding to VCAT or the courts and a compliant expert witness report is required on the technical issues in dispute.
Insurance lawyers
Where an insurance dispute involves technical building questions that require an independent expert opinion prepared to the applicable court or tribunal standard.
Insurers and loss adjusters
Where a claim has escalated to formal proceedings and an expert witness report is required on causation, defects or scope.
Instruct an Expert Witness Report
Send us the matter details and we will confirm scope, fee and availability by return.