Institution of an expert in criminal and civil proceedings – similarities and differences

An expert in both criminal and civil proceedings is a qualified assistant of the court (or other procedural bodies) providing special evidentiary information. The opinion issued by him is an independent source of evidence of specific importance. Contrary to a witness, they are not providers of information about facts, but interpreters of these facts from a scientific and technical point of view. They must possess specialized knowledge and experience otherwise unavailable to other participants in the proceedings. The role and function of experts in criminal and civil proceedings are seemingly similar. However, each of these proceedings has many special regulations that cause significant differences in this respect. These differences are the focus of this study.

An expert in both criminal and civil proceedings is a qualified assistant of the court (or other procedural bodies) providing special evidentiary information. The opinion issued by him is an independent source of evidence of specific importance. Contrary to a witness, they are not providers of information about facts, but interpreters of these facts from a scientific and technical point of view. They must possess specialized knowledge and experience otherwise unavailable to other participants in the proceedings. The role and function of experts in criminal and civil proceedings are seemingly similar. However, each of these proceedings has many special regulations that cause significant differences in this respect. These differences are the focus of this study.