More than half of expert witnesses have boycotted certain law firms because of problems such as late payment.

A poll of experts by experts training company Bond Solon suggested that 55% are wary of firms they have worked with in the past, with just 31% saying there were no firms they had blackballed.


Some 72% complained that they had been paid late or very late. However, the results indicated that there had been a fall in the number of solicitors giving instructions late.


Almost two-thirds of experts expressed concerns about plans to limit their fees in legally aided cases, with 61% saying they would not be willing to accept work under the new regime.


However, almost half felt optimistic about the future, while 55% said the number of instructions had increased in 2005. Remuneration is also a cause for optimism.


A Bond Solon spokesman said: 'The percentage of experts charging between £100 and £149 an hour has risen from 26% in 2004 to 37% in 2005.'

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