Discussion Between Experts
Clinical negligence claims are mainly determined by expert evidence and throughout the Woolf Inquiry we all worked hard to find ways of improving the use of this evidence so as to make it more open and less partisan. Discussions between the experts appearing for the parties have always been seen as one of the best way to reduce the areas of conflict and reduce the time taken to deal with expert issues at court. However expert meetings will only work well if they are organised effectively, with proper arrangements and agenda. The new Civil Procedure Rules (Part 35) reform the use of experts in relation to the Court but do not contain any protocol for the organisation of expert meetings. We therefore appointed a Forum member, Roger Clements, who is an experienced expert witness in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics, to set up a working party to arrive at guidelines.
Sarah Leigh
Working Party
| Member |
Description |
 Mr. Justice Bell
|
A judge from the High Court |
Professor Robert Bluglass |
Psychiatrist - A 'representative' from the Academy of Royal Colleges |
Lord Justice Clarke |
A judge from the Court of Appeal |
Roger V Clements |
CDF member - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist |
Michael Collins |
Former CDF Member |
Dr Frances Cranfield |
General Practitioner |
Nigel Harris |
Orthopaedic surgeon and Fellow of the Academy of Experts |
Dr Ben Lloyd |
Paediatrician |
David Mason |
Defendant Solicitor, Capsticks |
Paul McNeil |
Claimant Solicitor, Field Fisher Waterhouse |
Mary Menjou |
NHS Litigation Authority |
Dr Roy Palmer |
Barrister, A representative from the MDOs |
Arnold Simanowitz OBE |
Former CDF Member |
Adrian Whitfield QC |
Barrister |
