Rules
Practice Direction 35 — form and content of a report
PD 35 sets out what an expert's report must contain and the declarations it must carry. Getting these right is what makes a report admissible and gives it weight.
Key points
- Give details of the expert's qualifications and of any literature or material relied on.
- State who carried out any test or experiment the expert has used, and whether it was done under the expert's supervision.
- Set out the substance of all material instructions (written and oral) on which the report is based — these are not privileged.
- Where there is a range of opinion, summarise it and give reasons for the expert's own view.
- Contain a summary of conclusions, and say if any opinion is qualified or provisional.
- Include a statement that the expert understands and has complied with their duty to the court.
- End with the prescribed statement of truth confirming the report is the expert's true and complete professional opinion (a false statement can be contempt of court).
Official sources
General information to help experts and instructing parties understand the framework for expert evidence in England & Wales. It is not legal advice. Always work from the current official sources, which are linked on each page.