Questions and Answers

Before contacting the EWI Helpline, have a look at the questions asked by fellow members, you may find an answer to your query:

Advice notes are provided to members of the Expert Witness Institute in support of their work. They represent the Institute’s view of good practice in a particular area, and members are not obliged to follow them. They do not constitute legal or professional advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for it. Whilst care has been taken to ensure that they are accurate, up to date, and useful, The Expert Witness Institute will not accept any legal liability in relation to them. If specific advice or information is required, then a suitably qualified professional should be consulted.

Philipa Hodgson v Dr Daniel Hammond & Anor [2025] EWHC 1261 (KB)
Sean Mosby 188

Philipa Hodgson v Dr Daniel Hammond & Anor [2025] EWHC 1261 (KB)

bySean Mosby

 

Summary

The claimant brought a clinical negligence claim against two general practitioners alleging that they failed to act on a potential diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease. The judge found that one of the GP experts had trespassed on the judicial function to determine the facts and had sought to advocate on behalf of the second defendant.

Learning points

Learning points for experts:

  • Avoid trespassing on the judicial function to determine the facts.

  • Never risk undermining your independence by seeking to advocate on the behalf of your instructing party.

  • Make sure that you review the medical notes thoroughly and return to them to check against any other information.

  • If you have made errors which come to light during cross-examination, it is better to candidly acknowledge them rather than try to argue your way out of them.

  • Errors may not fatally undermine your evidence if your evidence is otherwise careful, cogent, logical and independent.

  • The CV attached to your report should provide sufficient details about your professional qualifications and experience, and your medico-legal training, to enable the parties and the judge to establish that you have sufficient expertise.

  • Be prepared to elaborate on your experience and expertise during cross-examination if that is required.

Learning points for instructing parties:

  • If you wish to criticise the sufficiency of an expert’s expertise and experience make sure you do so during cross-examination when the expert has an opportunity to respond.

To continue reading you must be an EWI member, become a member and access exclusive content. 

Already a member? Login

Share

Print
Comments are only visible to subscribers.