- 555
Expert witnesses surveyed
- 70%+
Support disclosure of AI involvement
- 1 in 3+
Use AI regularly or occasionally
- Payments
Delays in payment continue to be a significant commercial concern
Sourced from the Expert Witness Survey 2026
AI dominates the conversation
Artificial intelligence emerged as the defining issue for expert witnesses in 2026. More than one-third of respondents now use AI regularly or occasionally in their expert witness work, a significant increase on previous years. Experts are primarily using AI for research, administrative tasks, document summarisation and report checking rather than for drafting substantive expert opinions.
While experts recognise AI's potential benefits, they have substantial concerns. The biggest worry is over-reliance on AI at the expense of professional judgement, followed by risks associated with AI-generated inaccuracies, bias and the use of AI to draft expert reports.
Other commercial pressures
The survey highlights ongoing concerns around the commercial viability of expert witness work.
Timely payment remains one of the profession's most significant frustrations, featuring prominently among the challenges experts expect to face over the coming years. Many respondents called for alternative payment arrangements and fee structures to ensure expert witness work remains attractive to experienced professionals.
Despite these challenges, the survey presents a profession that is adapting to change rather than resisting it.
But while technology and regulation will continue to evolve, the foundations of effective expert evidence remain unchanged: expertise, integrity, independence and a commitment to assisting the court.
If you have any questions in relation to this report, please contact a member of the team at expertwitness@bondsolon.com