M.R. Evid. 706

(a) Appointment process. On a party’s motion or on its own, the court may

order the parties to show cause why expert witnesses should not be

appointed and may ask the parties to submit nominations. The court may

appoint any expert that the parties agree on and any of its own choosing.

But the court may only appoint someone who consents to act.

(b) Expert’s role. The court must inform the expert of the expert’s duties.

The court may do so in writing and have a copy filed with the clerk or may

do so orally at a conference in which the parties have an opportunity to

participate. The expert:

(1) Must advise the parties of any findings the expert makes;

(2) May be deposed by any party;

(3) May be called to testify by the court or any party; and

(4) May be cross-examined by any party, including the party that called

the expert.

(c) Compensation. The expert is entitled to reasonable compensation, as

set by the court. Unless provided otherwise by law, the parties must pay

the expert’s compensation in whatever proportion the court directs, at a

time chosen by the court. Thereafter, the expert’s compensation may be

charged in the same manner as other costs.

(d) Disclosing the appointment to the jury. The court may authorize

disclosure to the jury that the court appointed the expert.

(e) Parties’ choice of their own experts. This rule does not limit a party in

calling its own experts.