The report of COPA’s forensic documents expert, Mr Madden, was served on 1^st September 2023. This was a very extensive report: with appendices it amounts to some 970 pages, but it turned out to be the first of six reports Mr Madden served in these proceedings.

Meanwhile, on 8 September 2023, Dr Wright served his expert evidence on Autism Spectrum Disorder (“ASD”), from Professor Fazel.

At a further CMC in mid-September 2023, I heard a number of applications, including for Dr Wright to answer a consolidated Request for Further Information relating to his Defence (the RFI having been served in June) and his application to adduce expert evidence on ASD. This resulted in my Judgment ([2023] EWHC 2408 (Ch)) and Order dated 3 October 2023 in which I set revised directions to trial. I ordered Dr Wright to answer many of the requests, and he did so in two statements: Wright2 (concerning the signing sessions); and Wright4 (concerning remaining matters), served on 23 October 2023. Pursuant to COPA’s application, I also ordered Dr Wright to provide further information as to the chain of custody of his Reliance Documents.