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The Economist in Tort Litigation

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Thornton
  • John Ward

Abstract

In recent decades, the involvement of economists as consultants and expert witnesses in civil tort actions has grown rapidly. In this article, the authors discuss the reasons for this phenomenon and the extent to conflicts of interest to arise in the practice of what is frequently called 'forensic economics.' They argue that, although conflict-of-interest pressures exist, the limited evidence does not indicate that unethical practices are rampant within the profession. Moreover, market correctives, judicial screening, codes of ethical behavior, and the dissemination of knowledge concerning proper forensic practice help to serve as (arguably imperfect) safeguards against unethical practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Thornton & John Ward, 1999. "The Economist in Tort Litigation," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 13(2), pages 101-112, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jecper:v:13:y:1999:i:2:p:101-112
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/jep.13.2.101
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    File URL: http://www.aeaweb.org/articles.php?doi=10.1257/jep.13.2.101
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yves Oytana & Nathalie Chappe, 2018. "Expert opinion in a tort litigation game," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 67-107, August.
    2. Winand Emons, 2005. "Perjury versus Truth Revelation: Quantity or Quality of Testimony," Journal of Institutional and Theoretical Economics (JITE), Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen, vol. 161(3), pages 392-410, September.
    3. Robert Cooter & Winand Emons, 2004. "Truth-Bonding and Other Truth-Revealing Mechanisms for Courts," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 307-327, May.
    4. Maarten Pieter Schinkel, 2008. "Forensic Economics In Competition Law Enforcement," Journal of Competition Law and Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 4(1), pages 1-30.
    5. Alison F. Del Rossi & Joni Hersch, 2020. "Gender And The Consulting Academic Economist," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(3), pages 1200-1216, July.
    6. Bruno S. Frey, 2000. "Was Bewirkt die Volkswirtschaftslehre?," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 1(1), pages 5-33, February.
    7. Robert Cooter & Winand Emons, 2003. "Truth-Revealing Mechanisms for Courts," Journal of Institutional and Theoretical Economics (JITE), Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen, vol. 159(2), pages 259-279, June.
    8. Cooter, Robert D. & Emons, Winand, 2001. "Truth-Bonding and Other Truth-Revealing Mechanisms for Courts [technical version]," Berkeley Olin Program in Law & Economics, Working Paper Series qt3587v9sv, Berkeley Olin Program in Law & Economics.
    9. Yee, Kenton K., 2008. "Dueling experts and imperfect verification," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 246-255, December.

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      More about this item

      JEL classification:

      • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
      • K13 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Tort Law and Product Liability; Forensic Economics
      • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General

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