This course does not automatically indicate readiness to undertake expert witness work, attendance of the September online workshop is not essential.
RCPCH
5-11 Theobald's Road
London
WC1X 8SH
United Kingdom
Fees
- Members: £365
- Non-members: £485
Overview
Medicolegal cases involving children and young people are often protracted due to the lack of expert witnesses available to guide the courts involved. This results in children and families being stuck in the legal system without the resolutions needed to support their health, wellbeing and safety.
Led by a distinguished faculty of clinicians and legal professionals, this course will help you develop confidence to pursue a role as an expert witness, understand the nuances of clinical negligence and child protection cases, and prepare for the demands of courtroom and joint expert work.
You'll explore how to set up your medicolegal practice, including legal compliance, insurance, and advertising. Sessions will guide you through writing clinical negligence reports, understanding your professional boundaries, and preparing for the challenges of working with legal teams and appearing in court.
There will be practical workshops that address common dilemmas such as report writing pitfalls, time estimation, fee structures, and safeguarding assessments. The course will have contributions from a barrister and a solicitor and concludes with insights from a practicing judge on the workings of the Family Court.
Please note: There will be some pre-course reading which you will be sent nearer to the course day.
Aim
To help paediatricians develop a role as an expert witness and to discuss some of the practical issues associated with such work. The course will emphasise how this work can support determining the best outcomes for children and young people and enhance your clinical practice.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Understand the practicalities of starting in medicolegal work
- Describe the legal framework and processes expert witnesses need to work within
- Recognise areas of practice that pose particular challenges
- Be able to join high level discussions with barristers or other experts, and defend/promote your opinions
Target audience
- SAS/locally employed doctors
- Consultant paediatricians
Please note this course is recommended for those who are considering and are in a position to start expert witness work.