Matthews v SPI Electricity was a class action arising out of the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria in 2009. Carol Matthews was the lead plaintiff in a claim against electricity provider SPI Electricity where it was alleged the defendant’s faulty equipment caused the fire in Kilmore East/King Lake. The matter settled in July 2014 for $500 million. The instant decision was in respect of an interlocutory application brought by the defendant in respect of two expert reports prepared by one Dr Nick Hastings, an engineer engaged by the plaintiff, on the asset management of the defendant (ie. that state of maintenance of the defendant’s electricity conductors). Summary J Forrest J considered the three critical matters in determining admissibility were: That the witness must have specialized knowledge resulting from training, study or experience; The opinion expressed must be wholly or substantially based on that knowledge; and The opinion must be relevant to the trial issues. J Forres...