Six out of 10 expert witnesses surveyed by a respected annual bellwether believe the sector should be properly regulated, amid growing controversy over the use of experts in English courts.

That is a key finding of this year’s Bond Solon Expert Witness Survey, produced in conjunction with the Gazette and published to coincide with today’s Bond Solon Expert Witness Conference.

More than half (59%) of 525 experts surveyed by Bond Solon believe formal oversight of all experts would improve standards. This was brought into sharper focus in March when the Family Procedure Rule Committee consulted on plans to require any expert instructed in family law children proceedings to be regulated.

Many experts want to see a regulatory or training body for experts, while some suggested a government register of accredited witnesses. Several favoured a mandatory examination on Civil Procedure Rule 35.

Experts were also canvassed about their relationship with instructing solicitors. Late payment remains a bugbear, with over one in three citing this as their most common complaint.

Read a full report on the survey results in today's digital magazine