Expert Witness Services

Expert Witness Services

The British Self Defence Governing Body provides expert witness services through its Chairman and director of training Mr Eric Baskind.

Eric Baskind acts as honorary lawyer to the BSDGB. He is also honorary lawyer and physical intervention adviser to the Physical Restraint Instructors' Licensing Authority of the British Ju-Jitsu Association Governing Body. He is a member of the European Violence in Psychiatry Research Group. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has a First Class Honours Law Degree and has considerable experience as an expert witness both in the UK and in other jurisdictions. He is listed in the current editions of the Law Society's Directory of Expert Witnesses, the UK Register of Expert Witnesses and APIL's expert witness database as a 1st tier expert. He is also a senior lecturer in law at Liverpool John Moores University.

Eric Baskind has been instructed, by both claimant and defendant solicitors, and in criminal matters, in hundreds of cases involving control & restraint, unarmed defensive tactics, self-defence and martial arts systems, including those systems taught to police, prison officers and healthcare staff (especially secure psychiatric settings) where he has particular research interests. He accepts instructions from the UK and overseas.

Eric Baskind can be contacted at BSDGB head office or by e-mail.

Please ask for a copy of Eric's CV.

Testimonials

“Mr Baskind was an absolute star. He talked with authority about training techniques … wonderful stuff going directly to the issues in the case. Mr Baskind was completely unshaken by anything put to him by the Prosecutor.” 2001. Allegation of assault against serving police officer while making arrest. Extract from instructing solicitor’s letter acting for Defendant.

“I could not prepare a CV as impressive as Mr Baskind’s”. 2005. Assault. Martial arts techniques at issue. Instructed by Prosecution. Extract from Defendant’s Expert’s report.

“I am faced with evidence from two experts, Mr Baskind for the Defendant and Mr X for the claimant. Counsel invites me to conclude that these are each experts in their field who have come to differing conclusions. I have considered the expert evidence carefully. It is a matter for the court to exercise its discretion in weighing up the quality of that expert evidence. One factor in doing so is the experience of the experts and it is evident to me that both gentlemen are extremely experienced within their field. Another factor is the independence of the experts. In that respect it must be said that Mr Baskind has a manifestly broader-based experience in the field of control and restraint [compared to Mr X]. Of the greatest importance in weighing up the expert evidence is the quality of the reports themselves. Considering the report of Mr X, the way in which it addresses questions is, in my view, far from ideal. By contrast, the report of Mr Baskind argues and reasons fully the issues in the techniques adopted by the Prison Service. 2003. Claim brought by prison officer following injuries sustained during Control & Restraint training. Extract from Judgment.

“Mr Baskind’s evidence was persuasive and compelling. His report was comprehensive and clear. He demonstrated his experience in the witness box under heavy cross-examination. His advice to us prior to issuing proceedings was invaluable and enabled Counsel to draft the Particulars of Claim with the level of technical detail needed.” 2004. Claim brought by male against Police alleging assault by police officers during arrest. Extract from instructing solicitor’s letter.