_

PLANET NSW | Skills you need to know to be a good expert witness
_
__
_
PLANET NSW | Skills you need to know to be a good expert witness

Do you want to be a competent and confident expert witness? This half-day workshop examines relevant law and practice, drawing on real life practical experiences. The workshop focuses on practice in the NSW Land and Environment Court  covering preparation and delivery of expert evidence in both Classes 1 and 3 appeals, that is those dealing with development merits and compulsory acquisition. 

Learning Outcomes

  • To understand the legislative and policy framework which sets the roles of  expert witnesses;
  • How to prepare statements of evidence and joint expert reports;
  • Working effectively with lawyers and other experts;
  • Preparation for and delivery of oral evidence; and
  • A basic knowledge of key cases which help to define the roles of expert witnesses

Designed For

Town planners, urban designers, traffic engineers, environmental scientists and other specialists who provide expert advice on planning matters.

Presenters 

Graham Brown MPIA (Fellow), Past Commissioner of Land and Environment Court

Graham is retired as a Commissioner and Senior Commissioner of the Land and Environment Court of NSW having served three times seven year appointments. 

During his time at the Court, Graham heard over 2000 appeals on a wide range of planning and related issues. He currently sits as Chair, Alternate Chair or Expert on six local planning panels and is a delegate of Northern Beaches Council on the Sydney North Regional panel.

Prior to his appointment to the Court,  Graham was the Director of Planning Services at Baulkham Hills Shire Council (now The Hills Shire Council) where he oversaw the urbanisation of large parts of the local government area, including the Rouse Hill Release Area as well as subdivision, development control, building, health and waste and recycling services.

Graham has a Degree in Environmental Planning, a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Studies and a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

He is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and a Nationally Accredited Mediator.

Paul Mitchell OAM, MPIA (Life Fellow)

Paul is a town planner and environmental engineer who has over four decades of varied professional experience in Australia and internationally. 

He has appeared in many major cases in the Land and Environment Court as well as in the NSW Supreme Court and the former Mining Wardens Court and Liquor Licencing Tribunal. He also provided expert testimony to the US House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services. 

Paul has been a chair of member of various regional planning panels since their establishment in 2009. He is a former member of the national board of the Planning Institute of Australia. In 2004 Paul was admitted to the Order of Australia for services to the community, environmental resources management and planning.


Terms & Conditions

Registrations cancelled more than 14 days prior to the event date will not incur any fees and a full refund will be granted.

If you cannot attend and you are within 14 days of the event date, you can transfer your ticket to another person.

In all other situations we cannot issue a refund or credit.

PIA collects and maintains personal and sensitive information in line with our privacy policy. To view the PIA privacy policy please visit the PIA website.
_
Thursday, 27 August 2026
9:00 am to 12:30 pm
PIA Members: $235| Non-Members: $390
Teachers Federation
23/33 Mary Street
Surry Hills
Sydney 2010
3.5 CPD Points
_
_