Keith Lawrey JP and Professor Des Thompson give an interactive talk on the work of the 'Expert Witness'. Drawing on experiences in court and Public Inquiries, they present a rounded account of the rewards and pitfalls of being an Expert Witness.

Speaker profiles

Keith Lawrey JP

Keith is Liaison Officer with The Foundation for Science and Technology. The Foundation provides a support service to learned and professional societies. Keith is responsible for the 250 societies subscribing to the Foundation, for giving legal support including petitioning for incorporation by Royal Charter, and guiding on matters of professional discipline. He was the College of Teacher’s Honorary Treasurer for 25 years until 2010, and the founder of the Company of Educators. He holds several other positions including being a Trustee of the Freshwater Habitats Trust.

Professor Des Thompson

Des is the Principal Adviser on Science and Biodiversity with the Government agency Scottish Natural Heritage. With specialist interests in the uplands and bird ecology, and working closely with the UK and Scottish governments, Des has published widely and has been an Expert Witness in many Public Inquiries and to Parliamentary committees. Awarded the Medal of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management in 2019, and an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, he is Chair of the Field Studies Council, and of the UN Convention on Migratory Species Technical Advisory Group developing action plans for African and Eurasian raptors.