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The divergent approaches of English and South African courts, when considering actuarial expert testimony in the matter of an award for damages for future loss of earnings after a damage-causing event

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 August 2011

H.L.M. du Plessis
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Abstract

This paper analyses the driving forces behind the willingness of South African courts to hear actuarial expert testimony in even the most simple of cases, in contrast to the more circumspect approach of the English courts, when assessing the damages arising out of future loss of earnings following a damage-causing incident. The analysis may well add insight to members of other professions and scientific communities that provide expert testimony to the courts. It is argued that English substantive law of damages and those influenced by its application have something to gain from a consideration of the approach in South Africa.

Keywords

Quantum of damagesfuture pecuniary lossexpert actuarial evidenceexpert testimonyexpert evidencedamages for future loss of earningsdamages for future pecuniary lossesmultiplier-multiplicand method
Type
Papers
Information
Annals of Actuarial Science , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , 16 January 2012 , pp. 5 - 22
Copyright
Copyright © Institute and Faculty of Actuaries 2011

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