“…Areas of debate include how much the expert evidence should be weighted in court, which qualifications the experts should have (Bala et al, 2017; Melinder et al, 2021; Richman, 2005) and how the expert may best inform the court (Bogacki & Weiss, 2007; Stevenson, 2012; Tillyard QC, 2012). In reviewing the literature (Greve et al, 2023), we find little knowledge of the use of independent experts from the social workers' perspective, as much of the literature focuses on either the expert (e.g., Blacker et al, 2016; Connell, 2008) or the court (e.g., Bainham, 2009; Erickson et al, 2007). To fill this research gap, we have chosen to explore the role and contribution of independent experts in care order proceedings from the social workers' perspective by analysing focus group discussions (FGDs) and utilizing theory of expertise.…”