Are there rules regarding the use of expert witnesses in small claims court?

Yes, there are rules regarding the use of expert witnesses in small claims court in South Carolina. According to the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, an expert witness is defined as “any person who, by reason of his or her knowledge, skill, experience, training or education, is reasonably qualified to hold an opinion.” This means that if you or the opposing party wish to bring in an expert witness to support their case, they must be qualified in the relevant topic of the case. For example, if the dispute is about a faulty car, you would need to bring in an expert in car repair and not an accountant. The rules also state that both parties must give the other party notice of the expert witness they will be using during the trial. This can be done by sending a Notice of Expert Witnesses at least 10 days before the trial. This gives the other side enough time to prepare for the hearing. In addition, the court may also appoint their own independent expert witness to help them come to a decision if needed. However, any expert witnesses paid for by the court will not be allowed to testify on either party’s behalf during the trial. Ultimately, both parties should use expert witnesses to support their argument in a small claims trial. However, it is important to remember that both parties must follow the rules set out in the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.

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Are there rules regarding the use of expert witnesses in small claims court?

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