英美证据法上的专家证言制度及其面临的挑战

The Expert Testimony System in Anglo-American Evidence Law

专家证言是英美法系证据法上意见法则的一项例外,但是,不论是普通法还是联邦证据规则对于专家证言都规定了限制条件。本文指出这些限制在专家领域和常识领域的区别,介绍了专家意见法则的界限标准以及所具备的知识和资格要求。讨论了专家意见的形成所依赖的基础以及专家是否可以在最终事实问题上发表意见。英美的专家证言制度也面临着反思与挑战,但是,除非以当事人主义为核心特征的对抗式诉讼有根本的改变,否则,英美证据法中专家证言制度所面临的困境不会获得更为有效的解决。

Expert testimony is admissible under Anglo - American evidence law as an exception to the rule on opinions. However, both the common law and the Federal Rules of Evidence impose restrictions on the admissibility of expert testimony. The paper discusses the difference between the lay area and the expert area, the standards of limits of expert testimony, and expertise and qualifications required. Like all systems in the world, expert testimony system is also faced with criticisms and challenges. Unless major changes have taken place in the party - controlled adversary system, there would be no efficient way of solving the problems now faced by the Anglo- American evidence rules concerning expert testimony.