Hot-tubbing

Also known as concurrent evidence.

The practice of expert witnesses from the same discipline being in the witness box and available to give evidence at the same time.

Instead of the parties' experts giving evidence and being cross-examined on it individually, the relevant experts are sworn in at the same time and are available, simultaneously, for the judge to question. The procedure is set out in paragraph 11 of Practice Direction 35 and it is important to note that judges can, of their own volition, order hot-tubbing at any stage in the proceedings.

Several advantages and disadvantages of hot-tubbing have been identified. For a consideration of these plus some practical points to bear in mind, see Practice note, Experts: Concurrent expert evidence (hot-tubbing).