What the expert’s ratification in court is, and why it matters so much

Submitting an expert report with the claim or the defence is only half the job. If the other side or the judge requests it, the expert must attend the trial to ratify the report and answer questions. Many cases are won or lost in those minutes.

What ratification is

It is the expert’s appearance at trial to confirm that the report is theirs, that they stand by its conclusions, and to explain it in person. In practice it is much more than a signature:

• Explains the report: in plain language, how the conclusions were reached.
• Answers your lawyer, who asks questions to reinforce the strong points.
• Answers the opposing lawyer, who will try to find contradictions or weak points.
• Answers the judge, who may ask for clarification on any technical issue.
• Rebuts the other side’s report, if there is one, explaining why its conclusions do not hold up.

Why it is so decisive

The judge is not a technician. When two reports say different things, the decision depends largely on how their authors defend them: who explains better, who answers with confidence and who contradicts themselves. A good report poorly defended loses force, and a solid one well explained is convincing.

How we prepare the ratification

• We write the report with the trial in mind: clear conclusions, with every statement backed by photos, documents or calculations.
• We review the opposing report before the hearing to anticipate the questions.
• We coordinate with your lawyer on the points worth highlighting.
• We attend court, and also by videoconference where the court allows it.

What you need to do

1. Let us know as soon as you have the trial date, or ask your lawyer to do so.
2. Check with your lawyer whether ratification has been requested and who will make sure the expert is summoned.
3. Send us the other side’s report, if one has been submitted.

Ratification at the courts of the province of Burgos

We attend the courts of Burgos and of the other judicial districts of the province to defend our reports.

How we work

In our quotes the ratification is always listed separately, so you know from the start what each part includes. Send us your case and the documents by email or WhatsApp, we review it and send you a fixed, no-obligation quote, replying the same day.

See all our specialities on the experts page.