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Section IV. Expert Testimony 122

Section IV. Expert Testimony
143. (Offer and scope of expert testimony)
1. The court may order expert testimony based on an offer thereof from a party.
2. When expert testimony is offered, a document that includes the matters on which the expert testimony is sought shall be submitted at the same time. However, where an unavoidable reason exists, the document may be submitted within a time period set by the court.

3. The court shall hear the opinions of the other party regarding the offer described in Paragraph 2.
4. The court shall determine the subject matter and scope of the expert testimony based on the document submitted pursuant to Paragraph 2 after hearing the opinions of the other party in accordance with Paragraph 3. In this case, the document containing the subject matter and scope of the expert testimony shall be provided to the expert witness.

144. (Designation of expert witness, duty to give expert testimony)
1. Expert witnesses shall be designated by the court.
2. Any person having the necessary education and experience to provide expert testimony has the duty to provide such testimony.
3. A person cannot serve as an expert witness in the following situations:
(a) the expert witness or the spouse or other relative of the expert witness could be prosecuted for or found guilty of a crime as a result. This shall also apply where the expert testimony would bring humiliation or disgrace on such person;
(b) the subject matter of the expert testimony involves official secrets held by a current or former public official. However, this shall not apply where the approval of the government agency supervising the activities of such official is obtained; Such supervising government agency may not refuse to give its approval, except in cases where granting such approval might harm the public interest or significantly hinder the exercise of public duties;

(c) the subject matter of the expert testimony involves facts that were learned by a current or former doctor, dentist, midwife, nurse, pharmacist, attorney or clergyman in the course of his/her professional duties, and that should remain confidential; and/or

(d) the subject matter of the expert testimony involves technological or business secrets.
4. The supervising government agency referred to in subparagraph (b) of Paragraph 3 shall be, with regard to a current or former senator, the Senate, with regard to a current or former member of the National Assembly, the National Assembly, and with regard to a current or former member of the government, the Cabinet.

5. The provisions of subparagraphs (b) through (d) of Paragraph 3 shall not apply where the expert witness has been released or exempted from the duty to maintain confidentiality.

145. (Challenge of expert witness)
1. Where circumstances exist that would hinder an expert witness from testifying in good faith, a party may challenge the expert witness before the expert witness makes any statement regarding the subject matter of the expert testimony. Such a challenge may be made even after the expert witness makes a statement, where the grounds for the challenge arise or the party learns of such grounds after the making of the statement.

2. A motion to challenge shall be made in writing, except in the case where it is made on a court date.
3. The grounds for challenge shall be proved to a preliminary showing.
4. No objection may be made to a ruling upholding a challenge.
5. A Chomtoah appeal may be made from a ruling denying a challenge.

146. (Method of making expert witness statement, questioning by expert witness, etc.)
1. The court may allow an expert witness to present his/her opinions verbally or in writing.
2. Where necessary for the giving of expert testimony, an expert witness may attend the court hearing and ask the court to examine a party or a witness, or may, with the court's permission, question a party or witness directly.

147. (Mutatis mutandis application of provisions regarding examination of witnesses, method of administering oath)
Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of BOOK II, Chapter III, Section II of this Code (Examination of witnesses) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the examination of an expert witness, except that the provisions of Article 132 (Duty to serve as witness), Paragraph 2 shall not apply.


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