JRSM > Volume 96, Number 11 > Pp. 573-574

This Article Full Text (PDF) Send a Quick Comment Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Quick Comments are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Harris, N H Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Medicolegal conferencing

N H Harris

72 Harley Street, London W1G 7HG, UK

I was intrigued by Mr Pringle's excellent article (September 2003, JRSM¹). I published on the same subject in 2001² and nothing has changed in the past two years. The defects in the arrangements for expert discussion will continue until changes are made in the current system of medical litigation. I will emphasize three matters.

The Civil Procedure Rules make it clear that the discussion must be between like disciplines. Experts should make this clear to the judge issuing the order, and if necessary refuse to comply.

The second matter concerns whether or not one or both experts have conducted a recent examination and report. If not, discussion cannot take place and the judge managing the case must be so informed.

Thirdly, I think the judge, having read the reports, should set the agenda questions for the experts uninfluenced by instructing solicitors, but allowing the experts to raise any other matters.

REFERENCES

1. Pringle RG. An audit of medicolegal conferencing. J R Soc Med 2003;96:454 -7[Abstract/Free Full Text]

2. Harris NH. Discussion between experts—a 2-year experience. Medical Litigation2001; Dec: 10

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Marjot Legal considerations of clinical guidelines J R Soc Med, February 1, 2004; 97(2): 97 - 97. [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Send a Quick Comment Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Quick Comments are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Harris, N H Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Social Bookmarking                      What's this?