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Gatekeeping role

Definition

The function assigned to the trial judge under Daubert and FRE 702 to assess whether proposed expert evidence meets the reliability threshold before it reaches the jury. The judge must conduct this review even when the evidence concerns a well-established discipline, and must document the basis for admission or exclusion.

Related terms

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (BSA 2023)
India's evidence law replacing the Indian Evidence Act 1872, governing admissibility of expert testimony (Section 39) including forensic phonetic evidence. Does not...
Criminal Procedure Rules Part 19
The English and Welsh procedural rules governing expert evidence in criminal proceedings. They impose a duty on the expert to help the...
Daubert standard
The US federal evidentiary standard (Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, 1993) requiring that expert testimony be based on scientifically valid methods with...
Federal Rule of Evidence 702
The US federal rule governing expert testimony. As amended through 2023, it requires that expert opinion be based on sufficient facts or...
Frye test
An admissibility standard derived from Frye v United States (DC Cir 1923) requiring that a scientific technique must have gained general acceptance...

Explained in

  • Admissibility Standards Around the WorldThe function assigned to the trial judge under Daubert and FRE 702 to assess whether proposed expert evidence meets the reliability threshold before it reaches...

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