Medico-Legal

I have been an Expert Witness in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for over 14 years. My particular areas of expertise include:

• General Obstetrics
• Intrapartum care
• Fetal medicine
• Multiple pregnancy including monochorionic twins and twin to twin transfusion syndrome (the subject of my PhD)
• General Gynaecology

I enjoy the challenges that medico-­‐legal work presents. I am willing to receive instructions from both Claimant and Defence solicitors. To date I have written over 300 reports.

Being in active Obstetric and Gynaecological practice whilst also having a strong academic record means that I include both clinical and academic evidence to strengthen my reports and ultimately help persuade the Court to prefer my opinion. Thus in Obstetrics, I spend a day every fortnight on delivery suite in a busy DGH hospital, run a weekly antenatal clinic and am on call 1 in 8. On the academic front, I have written many evidence based texts and publications, a full list of which can be seen on my CV page.

I am fortunate to have benefitted from formal Court training and have had extensive experience in the Witness box. Such Court experience has been invaluable in learning to withstand the barrage of questions that opposing Counsel poses in what can be a very stressful environment.

The majority of my instructions are from solicitors representing Claimants. The reasons for this are unclear, but probably reflect the fact that I enjoy developing an independent opinion from scratch, derived almost entirely from close scrutiny of the documentation provided without the influence of anyone else’s opinion on the matter. On the other hand, I also relish the contrasting skills required when being instructed by Defence solicitors who often ask for an analysis of medical documentation focusing particularly on areas of potential negligence raised by those acting for the Claimant. Thus the amount of Defence work I perform is increasing. Taken with the largely de bono Defence work I perform for my own hospital Trust, I believe that my overall portfolio is balanced and reflects my desire to provide an independent, fair opinion for the benefit of the Court.

Depending on the complexity of the case, I can usually produce reports within 4 – 6 months of instruction.