Guidance for expert and professional witnesses
This guidance has been prepared to assist BMA members in the UK, who wish to enter or undertake further work in the expert witness field. It takes into account the law reforms relating to the preparation of medical reports and the guidance currently available to experts in both the civil and criminal fields.
Expert witness guidancePreparing professional reports and giving evidence in court
This guidance is concerned with professional report writing and associated activities, where the medical practitioner concerned is requested to testify solely on the observed facts of a case. This contrasts with expert witness work where the medical practitioner is requested to provide an expert medical opinion on a case.Response to the Department of Health's consultation 'Bearing Good Witness: Proposals for reforming the delivery of medical expert evidence in family law cases', March 2007
The response includes comments under the following headings which our members considered the most important areas outlined in the consultation document: speciality or multi-disciplinary teams, supply and commissioning of reports, training and education and regulation and guidance.