When should questions to an expert be asked?

• A. Only after a court order.
• B. Within 14 days of the report.
• C. Within 28 days of service of the report.
• D. At the start of the trial.

Answer: (C)

The timing for asking questions to an expert is the key here. After the expert’s report is served, you have a 28-day window to serve questions to that expert. This defined period allows you to seek clarification or challenge the opinions while there’s still time to use the responses in preparation for directions hearings and the trial.

Why this timing works best: it gives the other side's expert a fair chance to read the questions and prepare precise, thoughtful answers. Those answers can help both sides assess the strength of the expert evidence, narrow any contested issues, and keep the case on track without delaying the overall timetable. Asking questions later, such as at the start of the trial, would leave little opportunity to reflect or use the responses effectively. The option to obtain questions after a court order isn’t the standard route in normal practice, and a 14-day window isn’t the default period.

If you need to probe the expert’s methodology, data, or conclusions, do so within 28 days of the report being served.