Jennifer Clayton reflects on a full day of learning and connection for all our expert witnesses.
Every few months, the expert witnesses at Tessa Gough Associates come together for a full day of learning and connection. This July, we travelled to Leicester for a packed agenda covering everything from robotics technology and updated nursing regulations to court attendance and cross-examination.
It wasn’t my first ‘Associates Day’, and I was really looking forward to it — partly to catch up with colleagues I already knew, and partly to meet the newer experts who’ve joined the team. It’s a close-knit group, but we mostly work remotely, so it’s great to meet in person and build those connections.
These days are also a valuable chance to step away from individual cases and reflect, share ideas, and learn from each other’s perspectives – especially since we all come from different health and social care backgrounds.
In advance of the day, I’d been invited to take part in a mock cross-examination. I’ll be honest — I was a little apprehensive at first, even in spite of a recent court appearance in my expert capacity! It’s one thing to write your reports with confidence, but quite another to be questioned on them in front of your peers.
To prepare, I read through my report several times, as well as the opposing expert’s. I compared our costings, recommendations and rationale, analysing where our views differed and why. I also spoke with another expert beforehand to help get perspective.
The preparation process pushed me to think critically about the decisions I made in the report and the evidence that supported them.
On the day itself, I found myself sitting at the front of the hotel’s conference room, with a barrister beside me and a microphone in hand – the latter being something I hadn’t expected! I was being watched live by all the experts in attendance, both in person and on Teams.
The questions then came thick and fast: Why hadn’t I recommended certain types of care? Why had I excluded particular equipment when my opposite number had included it? Why was there such a difference between my recommendations for past and future care?
But surprisingly, I didn’t feel nervous once I started. I just focused on the task. I knew my report, I knew my reasoning, I understood my position and why. That grounding helped me stay calm and answer clearly, even when challenged.
Taking part in the mock cross-exam reminded me of the importance of detail – both in how we assess claimants and in how we communicate our findings. A good report needs to be consistent, well-structured and backed by clear reasoning.
My recent court attendance had already given me some perspective, having spent four days observing and taking part in cross-examinations. But this experience gave me a new level of confidence — the kind you only get from doing.
The biggest takeaway? Be prepared. Know your report inside out, know why you’ve made each recommendation, and make sure it’s all clearly documented. That preparation is what allows you to handle pressure calmly and respond with confidence.
After the formal part of the day, we had the chance to wind down and socialise — drinks, dinner and lots of laughter. It was lovely to connect with people outside of work, swap stories, and feel part of a genuinely supportive community.
As remote-working experts, these moments of in-person connection really matter. They help build rapport, a sense of unity, and mutual support. Tessa Gough Associates has always fostered a culture of openness — from mentorship and knowledge-sharing to being able to pick up the phone and speak to anyone in the team. That culture makes a real difference when you're working independently day to day.
I left the day feeling more confident, more connected to the team, and even more committed to my role as an expert witness.
Would I take part in a mock cross-examination again? Absolutely.
Would I recommend this kind of development to someone who’s unsure about becoming an expert witness? Without a doubt.
It’s normal to feel nervous, especially about court work, but with preparation, support, and a clear understanding of your scope of practice, it’s more than manageable. You just have to stick to the facts, stay calm, and know your work.
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