Forensic & Expert Medico Legal Yearbook 2021

2020 Forensic &

EXPERT WITNESS

Federation of Federation of

Expert witnesses nsic Forensic & Expert&witnesses

MEDICO-LEGAL YEARBOOK 2021

Magazine

Inside this issue featured article Mr JW Rodney Peyton OBE MD International Speaker and Author

“The three pillars of corporate excellence” Can this positive approach help your business come through the Covid-19 pandemic successfully ?

Mr JW Rodney Peyton OBE TD Consultant Surgeon/ International Author/ Keynote Speaker/ Trainer & Mentor www.rpeyton.com

Mr Rodney Peyton, OBE MD

“The Three Pillars of Corporate Excellence” Vision – Culture – Branding

Introduction Globally, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a massive disruption to traditional work practices with many staff at all levels having to work from home and arrangements for more faceto-face interactions characterised by radically enhanced health and safety measures.Businesses which do not pivot to this new reality are likely to go to the wall and those which have relied on various bailouts without using the time to adapt their work practices are the most vulnerable.

The storm clouds of Covid have gathered but, for those with the right mindset, it may have a silver lining.

It has forced business owners and managers out of complacency and caused them to make changes in outdated practices which perhaps should have been made anyway. This includes enhancing their online presence, moving towards cashless transactions and considering necessary adjustments to staffing at all levels from management to the shop floor. One of the characteristics of disruption and chaos is that the settled state which follows is almost always at a higher-level providing opportunities are grasped and learnings acted upon.

This means going back to basics and understanding the three pillars of corporate excellence – vision, culture and branding. The harmony between them is responsible for how the corporation is perceived in the world. In turn, this is reflected in profits which at the end of the day is the main reason that most businesses exist. These three pillars require to act in synergy and, while continually adapting, the corporation needs to protect its identity, culture and reputation. Too often these are separated when they become silos, instead of pillars. Silos by definition are hidden from the world and from each other. This separation contains the seeds for destruction when staff and departments do not act together for a common purpose.

Vision/Mission The vision statement defines the raison d’etre of the company. It is about the future and where a company wants a community or the world to be as a result of its service. It must be meaningful and inspiring so that employees at all levels can ascribe to it and feel they are participating in something worthwhile. It is a story, reflecting ethics and values to which all may subscribe. It is about internal communication and is a living document which needs to be continually revisited and revised.

While vision is about the future, the mission statement is about the present and is a manifestation of the vision. It is about the actions and orientation required to achieve the vision with a roadmap of how it is going to be achieved, placing the business squarely in the context of its environment. A vision statement is therefore internal to the company and about employees, whereas the mission statement is about external perception and targeted towards the customer base. Together, they form an integral part of the strategic plan.

The job of management is to translate the vision and mission statements into the three levels of strategic, tactical and operational management.

Bio Mr Rodney Peyton, OBE MD is by profession a trauma surgeon and also an entrepreneur and businessman. He has more than 30 years business experience with property portfolios and a range of investments across the UK, USA and Australia.

He is an author and international speaker on business issues. This feature article is based on a recent keynote address given at PwC Headquarters in Dublin, Ireland For his availability to speak at your corporate events, he can be contacted at

rpeyton@rpeyton.com.

In other words,setting the direction in line with the vision, deciding how those objectives are to be fulfilled and goals achieved on a continuing basis and then how the plan is going to be carried out on the ground in terms of day-to-day management.

It is the function of the CEO and management team to confidently command, control, coordinate and communicate the vision and mission with clear, consistent messaging throughout the organisation.

Externally, this is reflected in customer confidence and trust, which comes from knowing the “why”, the purpose for which a company exists in the first place and having a quality product delivered to them on a consistent basis by empowered and motivated staff.

Culture The second pillar of corporate excellence is the culture within the organisation. Culture develops when a group of people with similar values act together consistently in terms of their team, their section, their region and ultimately their whole organisation. For the culture to be positive it must be healthy and aligned to the values of the organisation, so staff can perform to a high standard. This can make or break any business depending on whether the overview is selfish or external.

Company culture affirms the beliefs, behaviour and ethics within the organisation, informing how employees and management interact and handle business transactions and therefore is essential to success. It reflects a set of values which, unfortunately, are more often implied and not expressly defined. While culture will develop naturally over time, it is the responsibility of management to ensure it stays aligned with the vision by constant evaluation and encoding.

It is fundamental aspect of leadership that the chief executive aligns with and models the values of the organisation and ensures these are integrated into the fabric of a business. It is something staff at all levels from the top team to the shop floor need to believe in and uphold with clarity of purpose, allowing decision-making to be delegated to lower levels within the organisation since employees can be empowered because their decisionmaking is guided by their moral code, integrity and values.

This is an essential element of any staff retention strategy.

The atmosphere within a business pervades how people perform/work. The more fragmented and spread out they are, the more isolated they become, leading to more difficult lines of communication and consequently a lesser tendency to cooperation. In the present Covid situation, the development and maintenance of company culture has become a problem with so many people working from home.

Further, new additions to any workforce learn by both training and apprenticeship. Those who graduate from training schemes should be basically competent and confident in what they do as they are actually hired for their technical expertise. They do, however, need nurturing, supervision and day to day guidance which is often difficult when senior staff are working from home and not interacting with new employees. This can result in them becoming under confident and demotivated and nurturing new staff is therefore vitally important.

The young learn from the generation above them by emulation which “rubs off” over time. They need to be in close proximity with their trainers, coaches and mentors so that, not just competence and confidence, but also ethics and values develop in a healthy way. No-one is born with ethics and value systems, but these grow and develop over time and are learned from those around them.

Branding If culture is internal, branding is about how the company is seen and judged by the outside world.

It is about the interaction between a company and its customers which basically comes down to personal communication. Marketing is all about the brand and how customers feel by associating with the business. When vision and culture are aligned, actions by company personnel generate certainty and trust in clients which leads to business success. A lack of trust by clients and customers is the most common source of business failure and this is obviously reflected in the bottom line and market value.

There are two types of branding, branding by association and branding by results. Individuals working for a company are branded by association with the company’s reputation, in turn the company is branded because of how those individuals achieve results with customers and how satisfied a customer is about the way in which employees in the past have represented the business. There is, therefore, a closed loop between them.

Senior management must get out of their silos, be visible and fully aware of what is happening on the shop floor. For successful branding, all employees have to be customer based and service orientated. It is through listening that we develop an understanding of what the customer wants and needs, so mechanisms need to be in place to process feedback as well as analysing and acting on trends. It is this analysis that impacts business success. At the end of the day businesses succeed because their customers are successful.

The brand of a company has to be nurtured and protected, which is one of the prime responsibilities of a CEO. Branding starts with defining how a company wishes to be perceived, organising the business, communicating that promise with consistency and being accountable.

Branding helps customers relate to a business and is the prime marketing drive because it gives a pre-set understanding so customers know what to expect and they will always expect what they know. It is all about credibility, consistency and through them the generation of trust.

Conclusion Corporate excellence does not happen by accident.

Concepts of excellence change since they are in the eye of the beholder. Therefore, corporations must be constantly looking for both internal and external feedback on how to make their offering better, faster and more efficient, to increase profit margins and ensure the ongoing success of their customers.

The three pillars of corporate excellence are found in the vision, culture and branding of the company.

It is the duty of the CEO, management and all employees within the organisation to ensure the highest quality of service and product delivery. This can only happen if everyone has a similar value system with a pride in the company and its vision.

To avoid complacency and ensure progress, companies need to constantly change. This may require shaking up what is delivered, redefining it and then solidifying the systems again. For many companies, the changes forced by Covid-19 can have a positive benefit in terms of future success, provided there are systems in place to support the staff teams and protect the culture. Throughout history, those companies which do not pivot to stay relevant in the changing environment will not survive.

The sky is not falling in, it is opening up for opportunity, all it requires is the right mindset, skillset and action plan.

Please contact us for further information +44(0)28 8772 4177 info@rpeyton.com www.rpeyton.com

Robert Franklin BSc MRICS IMaPS

Partner & Head of Architecture & Building Surveying

Robert has over 30 years of professional experience working on a wide variety of demanding residential and commercial projects. Clients value his practical approach to building design, project management and CDM regulations. Previous schemes include barn conversions, residential new builds and office refurbishments.

Robert has a strong background in Architecture & Building Surveying and also provides strategic advice to clients on incorporating renewable technologies within their building projects.

Robert is an experienced Party Wall Surveyor and is a member of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club. He also prepares Expert Witness Reports in respect of defective building works and property disputes.

"Having worked on a variety of challenging projects, I have the experience to add value to clients' properties."

Robert is also the current President of the Surveyors 1921 Club – a well-established and respected club for surveyors.

In his spare time, he enjoys swimming and is a keen cyclist. He has also previously taken part in Barclays charity bike ride in aid of The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

Please contact Robert on 01234 362917 07976 256586 rjf@robinsonandhall.co.uk

www.robinsonandhall.co.uk

Mr Glenn Lyons

FIT FRSPH MAE MRSM

Consultant Trichologist Mr Glenn Lyons has 40 years experience as an expert witness, including the preparation of expert reports and appearing in court.

He can act on behalf of either claimant or defendant or as a SIngle Joint Expert in cases involving the assessment and treatment of hair and scalp damage caused by permanent waving, tinting and other chemical processes undertaken by haidressing salons, as well as scalp tissue injuries caused by car or industrial accidents.

"Glenn was the recipient of the Outstanding Trichologist award at the 2018 Hair Science Awards."

He is also prepared to consider medical malpractice or negligence cases relating to hair transplantation and cosmetic surgery.

Mr Lyons qualified from the Institute of Trichologists in 1968 and served as a governor for 10 years. He has been a practising consultant at the Philip Kingsley Clinic since qualifying and is Clinical Director.

He has had clinical research papers published in peer reviewed medical and scientific Journals culminating in being awarded a Fellowship of the Institute of Trichologists in 2004. He is regularly invited to lecture on hair loss and scalp conditions and has also made numerous TV appearances and is frequently presenting on radio.

Mr Lyons is a member of the Royal Society of Medicine and the Society of Cosmetic Scientists also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health.

For further information please contact

Mr Glenn Lyons

FIT FRSPH MAE MRSM Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic 54 Green Street London W1K 6RU 020 7629 4004 / 020 7497 9843 www.philipkingsley.co.uk

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Dr Nigel Kellow MB BS, FRCA, MBA

Consultant in Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine

Medicolegal Expertise

H

Dr. Nigel Kellow is one of UK’s most highly regarded consultant experts in Anaesthesia, Sedation and Pain Medicine.

With more than 20 years experience at Consultant level ranging from eight years as a cardiothoracic anaesthetist and intensivist at St. Bartholomew’s and the Royal London NHS Hospitals to his subsequent 12 years of specialist anaesthesia, sedation and interventional pain work in London’s leading private hospitals he has unrivalled experience in his specified areas of expertise.

His Consultant Anaesthesia expertise is in all matters relating to adult general and regional anaesthesia including complications relating to the anaesthesia itself, patients positioning, procedural matters, the surgery itself, and the operating theatre environment.

His Interventional Spinal and Pain Medicine practice is founded on helping patients avoid spinal surgery and in managing complications and persistent problems following it.

He has unrivalled experience in image guidance for spinal, neurological and skeletal procedures using ultrasound, fluoroscopy and CT. He is an expert in spinal and peripheral nerve injuries occurring during surgery or interventional procedures.

He is one of the UK’s foremost authorities on procedural sedation, having co-founded SedateUK, the country’s leading organisation teaching safe sedation to healthcare professionals ranging from nurses to consultant anaesthetists, and in environments ranging from operating rooms in hospitals, through endoscopy suites to fertility clinics.

The Platinum Medical Centre | 15-17 Lodge Road | London | NW8 7J

Dr Nigel Kellow Medicolegal Expert AREAS INCLUDE • • • • • • • • • •

Persistent back and neck pain.

Injuries to the spinal cord.

Injuries to spinal nerves and peripheral nerves.

Nerve injuries occurring during surgery.

Complications relating to general and regional anaesthesia.

Complications relating to sedation.

Complications relating to interventional spinal procedures.

Complications relating to interventional radiological procedures.

Fibromyalgia.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

Helping people who don't want surgery, when they can't have it, or when it hasn't helped.

JA | 0203 998 3704 | secretary@kellow.com | www.medexpertuk.com

Mr Bernard Speculand MDS FDSRCS (Eng) FFDRCS (Irel) FRACDS (OMS)

Mr Bernard Speculand was until February 2015 a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at University Hospital Birmingham following his retirement from full-time practice. He had an Honorary Consultant Contract at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children from 2017-2020, and continues to have a Locum Consultant contract at North Manchester General Hospital for their adult TMJ replacement service.

Mr Speculand is an experienced medico-legal reporter with over 25 years experience providing the highest quality expert medical reports. He currently produces approximately 80 reports per year, the majority of which are as a single joint expert, covering personal injury and clinical negligence and looking at all aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery except oncology. His special interest is TMJ surgery.

He is listed on the Register of Expert Witnesses and is a member of the Society of Expert Witnesses.

He is also an Expert, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).

He also reports on a Claimant only and a Defendant only basis. Bernard Speculand has over 40 peer reviewed publications and is an editorial referee for the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

He is a founder member and Past President of the Birmingham Medico-Legal Society and now a member of The Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses.

His current interests are jaw deformity surgery (orthognathic surgery), salivary gland surgery, facial pain and temporo-mandibular joint problems.

He undertakes major TMJ surgery including total joint replacement and has presented and lectured nationally and internationally about this. He was an elected Board Member, Vice Dean and examined for the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Current Medico-Legal Interests Include: • • • • • •

Jaw deformity Salivary gland surgery Dental implant surgery Facial pain Temporo-mandibular joint problems Facial trauma

Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Expert Witness For all enquiries please contact Bernard Speculand's private secretary Yvette Young who will be able to assist you with any queries.

0121 605 1884 | info@birminghamtmj.co.uk | www.birminghamtmj.co.uk

MR. WILLIAM STUART HISLOP

BDS MBChB FRCSEd FFSTEd FDSRCSEd FDSRCPS Not only has Mr. William Stuart Hislop BDS MBChB FRCSEd FFSTEd FDSRCSEd FDSRCPS built-up an impressive reputation over the past 20 years working as a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock and now at the Queen Elizebeth University Hospital in Glasgow but he is also fast becoming acknowledged as a highly experienced, reliable Expert Witness; carrying out around thirty reports per year for both defence and prosecution, as well as producing reports for injury and negligence cases.

Having gained a Medical Degree from Bristol University in 1987 and a Dental Degree from Dundee University in 1978, Mr. Hislop is able to combine his extensive academic training with the practical experience he has gained working at the cutting-edge of surgery in Scotland.

Specialising in head and neck ablative and reconstructive surgery for malignancy, salivary gland surgery, together with facial aesthetic and cancer surgery, Mr. Hislop is highly experienced in dealing with facial trauma; having carried out over 500 microvasular cases in his career.

Mr. Hislop added: "Within the west of Scotland I also carry out surgical dermatology for skin cancer and deal with facial trauma, as well as dental implants and dento alveolar surgery. I also have previous experience in orthognathic and tempopro mandibular joint surgery."

The diagnosis of skin cancer and its corresponding treatment has recently come under new guidelines. Individuals must now be seen within two weeks of the identification of a suspicious ulcer. Keeping up to date with changes in legislation and medical procedures, Mr. Hislop is aware that this may represent a fresh challenge to the medico-legal work of expert witnesses.

A Member of the British Medical Association; British Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons and the British Association of Head & Neck Oncologists, Dr. Hislop has undertaken the position of Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow for more than two decades.

In a recent interview Dr Hislop outlined what it takes, in his opinion, to provide the very best service as an Expert Witness: "When being called upon to act as an Expert Witness there is no substitute for experience and obtaining extra qualifications. Experience allows work place gathering of information over a career lifetime that informs decision making.

This can be used in the clinic operating room or courtroom. Extra qualifications show that reading and gathering of knowledge in the specialist area has been undertaken. This means that all clinical; and legal decisions are underpinned by a thorough knowledge of the specialist area."

Medico-legal Practice

"It's vital to instruct an Expert Witness at the beginning of an investigation/legal case, as this allows the expert to be available for advice from the start. There are numerous cases that are unlikely to be successful and having the expertise initially may save clients time and money."

"I currently carry out approximately thirty MedicoLegal Reports per year for both defence and prosecution, attending court once a year on average. It is important when being instructed that you do not forget that you act for the court and giving a balanced report reduces the need for court attendance. I work for the prosecution and defence equally."

"Being involved before the case has been submitted to the courts has proved to be very helpful.

One of the common problems I see is the uncertainty as to whether the matter is a failure in the duty of care by lack of consent or by negligence."

Case Study: "I was asked to see a lady who had a weak lower lip following a facelift. This can happen and she was warned about it. The surgeon them offered her a muscle transposition operation to try and get function into her lip. The operation did not go well and she was left with a weak tongue and slurred speech. She wished to make a claim on the grounds of lack of consent when in fact the complication was so rare it would have not been reasonable to mention it. However the injury should not have happened and there was a failure in the duty of care whilst carrying out the procedure. The expert intervention meant that the case was submitted under the correct terms and was settled without a court case."

Having published over 30 publications in peer reviewed journals throughout his career, Dr. Hislop would like to further develop the Medico-Legal side of his practice and would be pleased to discuss your individual requirements for an Expert Witness.

For further information, please call Mr. William Stuart Hislop on 01563 827 488 or email medico-legal enquiries to: stuarthislop@supanet.com

Mr Nadir Osman

MBChB (Hons) PhD FRCS (Urol)

Consultant Urological Surgeon and Honorary Senior Lecturer Nadir Osman is a Consultant Urological Surgeon and honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield. He has a specialist interest in urinary tract reconstruction and works in a team that provides an internationally recognised tertiary referral service.

He is a specialist in reconstruction of the urinary tract following trauma and surgical injury. He is active in clinical research and has published extensively including over 90 articles, 20 book chapters and 3 books. He is regularly invited to lecture at international meetings on his specialist areas.

He regularly assesses and treats patients who have sustained urethral injuries, pelvic fractures, bladder dysfunction related to neurological damage, vaginal fistula and bladder or ureteric, injury. In addition he has a broad practice in general urology.

He qualified with Honours from the University of Liverpool in 2006, winning the graduation prize in Neurology and 5 academic distinctions. He had a broad and international surgical training and with fellowships in reconstruction in the UK and Moscow.

His work developing a Tissue engineered alternative to Vaginal Mesh implants led to the award of a PhD in 2014.

He holds several international positions in the field of Urology including being a member of the European Association of Urology clinical guidelines panel, the International Continence Society the Underactive bladder working group and the editorial board of the journal Neurourology and Urodynamics.

Medico-legal

Nadir Osman is able to provide specialist expert reports and advice for medico-legal cases and has undergone medico-legal training in report writing (Inspire MediLaw).

He offers prompt service and accepts instructions for personal injury, clinical negligence, and condition and prognosis reports Nadir Osman has a longstanding interest in the medico-legal issues in urology and published the first national analysis of urological litigation in the UK (Osman NI, Collins GN. Urological litigation in the UK National Health Service (NHS): an analysis of 14 years of successful claims. BJU Int 2011;108:162-5). This has become the most widely cited work on the topic.

Mr Nadir Osman Consultant Urological Surgeon Qualifications:

MBChB (Hons) - Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery with Honours PhD - Doctor of Philosophy FRCS (Urol) - Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons

Professional Memberships:

British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) European Association of Urology (EAU) British Association of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses

NHS base:

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals

Areas of expertise: -

Gynaecological and other surgical injury to the urinary tract Urinary tract trauma Neuro-urology bladder overdistention pelvic fracture injuries resulting in urinary and sexual problems Urethral catheter related injuries Incontinence surgery Urological consequences of cauda equina syndrome.

Circumcision related problems

He also reports on general urology, including: -

Missed Torsion Vasectomy Benign prostate surgery Delayed diagnosis Fee structures and CV are available on request.

To make enquiries or instruct Mr Osman please contact his secretary by email

enquiries.sheffieldurology@gmail.com sheffieldurology.co.uk

Mr Jeremy Crew MA, MD, BChir (Cantab) FRCS, FRCS(Urol)

Consultant Urological Surgeon Mr Jeremy Crew provides a medicolegal service and will provide medical reports on legal aspects of urology. Most reports will be preceded by an outpatient consultation with the relevant party which can be provided in either Oxford or Banbury. In some cases Mr Crew may be able to offer a report based on the hospital notes only. He endeavours to provide a fast report turn around time.

Memberships:

• British Association of Urological Surgeons & Oncology Section (Committee) • Royal College of Surgeons of England • Medical Defence Union • British Medical Association • General Medical Council • Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses

For enquires and terms and conditions of instruction please contact Mr Crew’s private secretary: Ms Lily Sheppard | The Manor Hospital | Beech Road | Headington | Oxford | OX3 7RP 07508 617949 or 01865 307433 e-mail:lily.sheppard@nuffieldhealthpartners.com Or jeremycrew@urologyoxford.com

Peter Conaghan Forensic Accountant at Forensic4U

I am a Licenced and Qualified Forensic Accounting Currently seeking opportunities, to gain greater experience in this amazing field, I cover all areas of this Field.

The Money isn't important at this as much as gaining the Experience.

Also as part of my CPD, i am currently studying for an additional Qualification in Fraud Examination.

I would love to speak to any Lawyers that would be interested in using me in any of their Criminal or Civil Cases for support or Expert Witness.

2020

Federation of Federation of

Expert witnesses Forensic Forensic & Expert&witnesses

THE ROLE OF THE FORENSIC ACCOUNTANT IN MEDIATION

By Peter

Conaghan

Many commercial disputes are the subject of complex litigation; however, a number of these disputes are being resolved through mediation and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). In recent years Courts in the UK have increasingly invited parties to use mediation to resolvem commercial disputes.

Mediation is the use of an independent third party who facilitates the parties to reach a mutually beneficial settlement of the issues in dispute. The mediator has no role in deciding the outcome of the issues in dispute, however a skilled and experienced mediator will facilitate a process where theparties in dispute are able to arrive at an agreed settlement.

In 2013, the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution in Ireland in association with the Irish Commercial Mediation Association published the results of a survey entitled “CEDR Ireland / ICMA Mediation Audit” which addressed the attitudes of civil and commercial mediators and commercial lawyers to mediation, amongst other things.

One of the key findings of the survey was that, of the responses received, the average settlement rate for mediators in 2012 was 66%. This would suggest that in a majority of cases, mediation is a very suitable forum in which to resolve disputes.

In litigation, forensic accountants are often engaged by either party to act as expert witnesses to provide an independent assessment of the damages being claimed and to provide expert evidence either by way of expert testimony or by submitting an expert’s report.

The Forensic Accountant’s role in calculating damages and attending the Mediation in complex commercial disputes requiring an expert opinion on the quantum of damages, for example in a case whereby one party may have suffered a loss of profits following a breach of contract by another party, a forensic accountant may be retained as an independent expert to provide an independent assessment of the amount in dispute.

In mediation, a forensic accountant has a number of possible roles to play, which are discussed below. Expert Accountants acting as a Mediator, Accountants may play a role in a dispute by acting as a mediator.

In such a case the forensic accountant may be requested to prepare an expert report, attend a meeting of experts with an opposing expert, or advise their client on a range of their potential losses depending on a number of factors or assumptions.

In mediation, the forensic accountant can provide a similar role, assisting a mediator in dealing with, and understanding complex financial issues, there are many benefits of appointing an independent forensic accountant in a Mediation,”.

For example, disputes involving business valuations, application of technical accounting standards or which require business acumen and experience in a particular industry or sector may benefit from having a mediator with the requisite expertise in these areas.

The forensic accountant may also have a role as a “data arbiter”, i.e. an expert that may be retained by one or more disputing parties to answer factual questions about which the parties disagree and that they believe will be relevant to resolving the dispute.

Commercial disputes such as breach of contract, product liability claims or business interruption claims following a flood or a fire, often involve complex accounting issues that may include several data conflicts including:

• • • • •

Calculation of the cost of goods sold Identification and classification of fixed and variable costs Allocation of overheads e.g. to a manufacturing process Foreign currency and interest rate swap calculations Discounting future losses (e.g. by applying a weighted average cost of capital) management time and Taxation.

A forensic accountant’s role in mediation would include the identification of all of the different heads of loss, and calculation of same. In acting as a data provider or data arbiter in Mediation the forensic accountant is able to reduce the data conflicts which often prevent the parties from arriving at an agreed position.

Often in mediation, the period of loss, i.e. the period in which losses will continue to be suffered by one party arising from the alleged actions of another party is an area of dispute. A forensic accountant must be able, during the course of a mediation, to adjust their calculation of losses arising for different scenarios that may emerge and that may not have been considered by either party prior to the mediation.

In mediation, both the parties and the mediator may benefit from the forensic accountant attending the mediation to present their findings to the mediator in the presence of the parties, or independently of the parties who are involved in the dispute.

Being able to provide information to the mediator or the parties as to the effect of resolving differences in areas such as the loss period, or volume of lost sales, and the knock on effect of doing so on the overall quantum of loss, is often invaluable to the mediator and to the parties as a successful mediation progresses towards a resolution.

Having access to an independent forensic accountant during the mediation process means that the mediator and the parties involved have access to an individual with: • • • • • •

Specialist industry expertise (if needed) The ability to bring and maintain an impartial view of the matters in dispute prior to and during the course of the mediation In-depth investigative and analytical skills The ability to quickly perform complex calculations under a number of different scenarios The ability to present their findings in a succinct manner The ability to adapt during the course of mediation to new evidence or new arguments presented during the mediation by either party, and to quickly adjust any calculations to take account of new information or scenarios that may emerge and which could lead to a successful resolution.

In conclusion using a highly skilled forensic accountant can be of great value to all parties because a none biased and completely independent view is given.

Also note that a Forensic Accountant can also help you with the Following…

• • • •

Fraud Prevention, Detection, and Response Business interruption insurance claims Money laundering issues Expert Reports for Court

• • • •

Proceeds of Crime Investigation Business valuations Tax Investigations, Disputes and Risk Accident & Injury Claims

To learn more about the service Peter Conaghan at Forensic4u offers, please contact : 07367151571 or ptcforensicaccs@gmail.com

Mr Aidan Fitzgerald Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon & Expert Witness

Based in Sheffield at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Mr. Aidan Fitzgerald MB ChB M Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon, but also as an Expert Witness in cas Aidan’s area of expertise for his Private Practice lies in Breast and Body contouring surgery, Aesthetic Facial Rejuvenation, Skin cancer. Added to this Aidan’s NHS patients are able to take advantage of his skill in Head & Neck Surgery, Facial Reanimation Microsurgical Reconstruction, Body Contouring (post weight loss), as well as Skin Cancer.

Aidan boasts a wealth of practical experience, together with academic qualifications; including gaining an MB., Ch.B. (University of Liverpool) 1988 M.Phil. (University of Bradford) 1998 FRCS (Edinburgh.) 1993; FRCS (Glasgow.) 1993 ; FRCS (plastic surgery) 2001 Professional bodies Full member of the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons General medical council no. 3352580 Aidan took a higher research degree, going on to obtain an M.Phil. from the University of Bradford in 1998. After which he undertook higher surgical Training in Scotland involving placements in Edinburgh and Glasgow, following which he obtained FRCS (Plastic Surgery) in 2001, as he explained in a recent interview: “Subsequent to this I spent a year each in Melbourne - Australia and Toronto - Canada gaining further experience in Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery of the Breast and Head and Neck, before returning in 2003 to Sheffield with my wife and children.”

In his present post as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Aidan is able to draw on his experience and skill in the field of reconstructive microsurgery, facial reanimation and the treatment of skin cancers.

“I would be delighted to be consulted on any question of cosmetic surgery in the areas of breast surgery such as augmentation, reduction or uplift; body recountouring. Together with other areas such as liposuction or abdominoplasty and facial rejuvenation including blepharoplasty or facelift. I would also be delighted to be consulted concerning minor skin blemishes such as moles or cysts, as well as skin cancers that may require excision.”

MPhil FRCS(Plast.) has achieved an impressive reputation not only as a Consultant ses of Personal Injury Claims & Clinical Negligence in Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery.

A Full Member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons, as well as being on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery No: 3325803, Aidan undertakes medicolegal reports both in the areas of Personal Injury and Medical Negligence; with his medical negligence work being split 50:50 between claimant and defendant.

Aidan has the facility to see clients both adults and children for medico-legal work in Sheffield, Doncaster, Nottingham, Leeds London and Manchester at the following venues: • 10 Harley Street, London • Sheffield – Claremont Hospital • Doncaster – Park Hill Hospital • Nottingham – Russell Square Consulting Suites • Leeds – Nuffield Hospital • Manchester – Calderbank Medical Chambers “For those clients unable to attend hospital I am happy to arrange a ‘home’ visit which would usually take place within a few weeks of receiving instruction and I would expect to complete a report for the client within 2-3 weeks.”

Mr Aidan Fitzgerald Consultant Plastic Surgeon MB, ChB, M.Phil, FRCS (Ed), FRCS (Glas), FRCS (Plast) Please contact via E mail E: ampfitzgerald@hotmail.com

Dr Mark Drummond

BSC, MB ChB, MRCP (UK), PhD, FRCPath

2020

Federation of Federation of

Expert witnesses nsic Forensic & Expert&witnesses

Consultant Haematologist & Honorary Senior Lecturer

I am an experienced Consultant Haematologist of 15 years and I am happy to to accept instructions with regards most haematological conditions. My claimant:defendant ratio is 40:60. Haematology is a complex subject and I am happy to discuss cases after an informal approach. I run a busy general haematology service both in the NHS and privately.

This encompasses all blood conditions including venous thrombosis, anticoagulation and bleeding, transfusion practice, anaemia as well as all aspects of diagnostics. In my NHS practice I largely deal with blood cancer diagnosis and treatment including lymphoma, myeloma and leukaemia.

I have published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and co-authored two text books on diagnosis in haematology. Until recently I was lead clinician for the West of Scotland Blood Cancer Network.

I participate regularly in the publishing of regional and national guidelines.

Please Contact Dr Drummond for more details: 07903988658 01413017734 mark.drummond@ggc.scot.nhs.uk www.linkedin.com/in

Mr Jack Lancer MBChB (Sheffield) LRCP MRCS FRCS (Eng) (Otol) DLO

Mr Jack Lancer is a highly experienced Senior Consultant ENT Surgeon based in South Yorkshire.

With over 30 years experience in ENT surgery, Mr Lancer’s special interests include middle ear disease, especially stapedectomy and facial plastic surgery, particularly rhinoplasty.

Qualifying from the University of Sheffield in 1978 he went on to work in general surgery, accident and emergency and ENT in Doncaster, Sheffield and Cambridge as SHO. His Registrar and Senior Registrar training took place across Sheffield and Zurich. Currently, he has completed over 3000 major ear surgeries and over 3000 Rhinoplasty operations.

CONSULTANT ENT SURGEON

Mr Lancer holds professional memberships for the Royal College of Surgeons of England, European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, Politzer Society, Numerous Medico-legal Organisations and the Royal Society of Medicine.

Medical Procedures • • • • • •

Education

All Aspects of Middle Ear And Mastoid Surgery Especially Stapedectomy (Under Local Anaesthesia) Rhinoplasty And Septorhinoplasty Routine ENT Surgery Tonsillectomy, Grommets, Nasal Airway Surgery, Endoscopies Facial Skin Lesions

MB ChB (Sheffield) 1978 LRCP MRCS 1978 DLO 1981 FRCS (Eng)(Otol) 1984

Special Interests • •

Middle Ear Surgery Facial Plastic Surgery (Rhinoplasty And Bat Ear Surgery)

Medico-Legal Work Including: • • • •

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Tinnitus After RTA’s Nasal Trauma and Smell Abnormalities After Trauma Personal Injury And Medical Negligence

Mr Lancer practices at Thornbury Hospital in Sheffield and Park Hill Hospital Doncaster 01777 817160 jacklancer.rhinoplasty@gmail.com

Dr Megan Emma Smith LLB, MBBS, FRCA, Barrister

Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Megan Smith is a Consultant Anaesthetist at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, one of the UK’s leading major teaching hospitals.

Dr Smith qualified as a doctor in 2003 and began her career in anaesthesia in 2006. She has been a consultant anaesthetist since 2015. She specialises in Regional anaesthesia (in particular, single shot peripheral nerve blockade and peripheral nerve infusion catheter insertion), trauma and orthopaedics, hand trauma, general and colorectal surgery, vascular surgery, renovascular (in particular arteriovenous fistula formation), renal surgery (including renal cancer and transplants), laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery.

LEGAL EXPERTISE Prior to studying medicine, Dr Smith was a practising barrister. She gained a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B) in 1993 for which she was awarded First Class Honours.

She attended the Inns of Court School of Law in London between 1993 and 1994 where she completed her Bar examinations. She was called to the Bar of England and Wales in October 1994.

Dr Smith has been awarded a number of scholarships and prizes by The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn for both her pre-pupillage and pupillage years. These include the Thomas More, Hardwicke and Shelford Scholarships. She also received numerous subject prizes during her LL.B (including for Medical Law and Ethics) as well as prizes for overall excellence in Part I and Part III examinations.

Dr Smith practised as a barrister specialising in property, contract, commercial, landlord and tenant and insolvency law. In addition, she acted for plaintiffs and defendants in professional negligence cases. She appeared regularly in the County Court and High Court.

She is entirely comfortable taking responsibility for the conduct of cases with serious outcomes for clients/patients and is highly skilled in relation to the following:

* Rapid, forensic analysis and assimilation of complex subject matter * Public speaking and thinking quickly on her feet, particularly in court * Assessment of likely examination and cross examination subject matter * Clear, accurate written presentation including the drafting of witness statements, affidavits, legal opinions and pleadings, as well as investigation reports * Time management: prioritisation of tasks, working under pressure of time and working to strict deadlines * Client communication and management and conduct of client consultations * The conduct of formal negotiations on behalf of clients 19 Meynell Gardens LONDON E9 7AT

Dr Smith retains a keen interest in medical law and is a member of the Medicolegal Society.

She is a member of the Royal Free Hospital’s Serious Incident Review Panel and has conducted investigations into serious incidents that have occurred within the Trust.

Areas of Expertise: • General anaesthesia for major adult surgery.

• Regional anaesthesia (peripheral nerve blockade incl use of peripheral nerve catheters).

• Orthopaedic anaesthesia.

• Neuraxial anaesthesia for adults (spinal, epidural, combined spinal and epidural).

• Anaesthesia for plastic surgery.

• Anaesthesia in trauma patients.

• Airway management and problems with airway management (incl dental damage).

• Acute pain management.

• Care of the acutely unwell adult surgical patient.

• Awareness under anaesthesia.

• Allergy and anaphylaxis.

• Intra-operative care (incl patient positioning).

• Law and practice relating to anaesthetic consent.

• Invasive monitoring (incl arterial line insertion and central venous cannulation).

020 3663 3367 | 07525 432915 | megan.smith16@nhs.net | www.drmegansmith.com

Dr Zbigniew Kirkor MD, PhD Consultant in Pain Medicine & Anaesthesia

Dr Kirkor is a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine.

He was a Clinical Lead for Pain Services at Shrewsbury & Telford Hospitals NHS Trust from 2010 till 2019. He partly retired from his NHS job in April 2019, maintaining his private practice (see below) as well as the NHS part time job.

He qualified from Medical University in Gdansk, Poland in 1987. He completed his formal training in anaesthesia in1994 and he held several consultant posts in Poland.

He obtained his PhD in medicine in 1996. He moved to the UK in 2005 and joined Pain Clinic at Stoke Mandeville Hospital (National Spine Injury Centre). In September 2010 he moved to Telford, Shropshire.

Dr Kirkor’s special interest is interventional pain medicine, interventional medicine in MSK conditions, spine pain, whiplash injury, Whiplash-Associated Disorders and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

In 2018 Dr Kirkor set up the first Regenexx Clinic in the UK (second in Europe) upon completion the extensive training in the Regenexx clinics in USA. The clinic focuses on regenerative medicine (stem cells and platelet rich plasma) for musculoskeletal conditions.

Dr Kirkor is a member of Spine Interventions Society (Membership Committee Member) and Interventional Orthobiologic Foundation.

2020

Federation of Federation of

Expert witnesses Forensic Forensic & Expert&witnesses

Get in contact: medicolegal111@gmail.com

Dr Kirkor is an expert witness and his area of expertise is anaesthesia and chronic pain.

Areas of Expertise

He commenced his medico-legal practice in 2011. He is a member of the Expert Witness Institute (MEWI). He won The Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine Consultant of the Year 2017 Award (The Lawyers Monthly Magazine).

• Pain

He prepares approximately forty reports per annum. He continuously update his training in medico-legal field, including Court Attendance Course and GDPR For Expert Witness Course.

He is ICO registered.

• Back pain

Consulting Rooms 81 Harborne Road

Edgbaston BIRMINGHAM

• Regional anaesthesia

• Pain medicine • Whiplash

Dr Kirkor is available for consultations in: Birmingham, London, Shropshire and South East

• Anaesthesia

• Neck pain • CRPS • Neuropathic pain • Postoperative pain • Clinical negligence

West Midlands B15 3HG

With

Dr Gary Hartnoll MA (Cantab.), MB, BCh, MAE, MD, MRCP, FFCI, FRCPCH

Consultant Neonatologist How did you become an expert witness?

By accident! I was asked by a friend in another hospital if I could do an independent report for them as they were having trouble finding someone – I didn’t realise at first that it was for a legal case! I enjoyed doing it and so looked into what being an expert involved, attended an intro day to being an expert run by the BMA. After that I put my name on an advertising website and have gone on from there.

What has been your most challenging expert witness case?

I work as a neonatologist and so all of my cases involve babies. As such, most of the children I am asked to do cases on have some sort of damage. When you read about how damaged they are it is hard not to feel a great deal of sympathy for them and you want them to have some compensation for their problems – however, as an expert, you have to be impartial and give your honest opinion, even if that means telling a client that there is no case to answer or writing a good defence for a hospital. So, all of my cases are challenging! Borderline cases are also challenging – there may be some areas of substandard care, but maybe not enough to have caused all the damage to the baby, but how much did that substandard care contribute to the damage? Did it contribute at all? If a baby had been delivered 5 minutes earlier would it still have suffered from the degree of brain damage from oxygen starvation that it has?

I know that you deal with a range of cases, but can you specify a common case that you tend to deal with on a regular basis?

The commonest type of case I have to deal with is where a child has developed cerebral palsy and it can be attributed to oxygen starvation around the time of birth (perinatal hypoxia, leading to hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy) I am then asked to give an opinion on whether or not the oxygen starvation was the main cause of the cerebral palsy. If it was then the case would also involve an obstetrician and/or a midwife to say if the pregnancy and delivery had been manged appropriately – that is when you get into discussions about timing of delivery and whether minutes either way would have made a difference to the outcome and how much difference.

What are your qualifications with in your industry sector and qualifications that support your expert witness work?

I have my medical qualifications and higher diplomas, my research doctorate and legal qualifiactions taken through the Bond Solon training course in conjunction with the Law department of Cardiff University.

My qualifications are – MA (Cantab), Master of Arts from Cambridge in Medical Sciences; MB, BCh, Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Wales College of Medicine (UWCM); MRCP (Paeds), Member of the Royal College of Physicians (Paediatric exams); FRCPCH, Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health; MD, Doctorate of Medicine from UWCM; FFCI, Fellow of the Faculty of Clinical informatics; MAE, Member of the Academy of Experts.

I have the Bond Solon Certificates in Civil and Family Law.

What is your average turnaround time for a report?

At the moment I am quoting an 11 month turnaround time – however, I am retiring from my full time NHS job at the end of December this year and so I hope that I will be able to bring that turnaround time down.

How often would you say your critical analysis the game changer in a claim?

Frequently – for example if I am approached by a solicitor for a report who is acting for a potential claimant and I say that there is no case to answer then that case will more than likely be dropped. So far I have only had to attend court once and I have one other court case booked for Jan 2021, so that may be called off yet.

What do you feel is key to being an effective expert witness?

Being honest and thorough. Writing your reports in a clear way that can be understood by a lay person.

Often I feel that the parents have gone to a solicitor as they feel let down by their hospital and have been unable to get what they consider a truthful answer to their questions about what happened to them and their baby. In that situation I write the report as though I were writing to the parents to try to help them to understand and to come to terms with what has happened, especially if my conclusion is that there has been no breach of duty or substandard care.

Has anything changed in the years of you acting as expert witness for clients?

Not for me in the time that I have been doing reports.

What makes you the go to expert witness in your specific field?

I write clear reports that give an honest opinion!

They are easy to understand. I have many years experience in my field (started in 1986, Consultant from 1998). I am approachable and try not to overcharge!

Is there any aspect of expert witness that you feel would surprise someone who was considering adding this to their CV?

How few cases actually get to court. The variety of cases that you get asked about. How good it is for continuing professional development and having to keep up to date with you knowledge in your field.

Putting aside the human tragedy aspects of what I am dealing with, it is also a satisfying intellectual challenge in many cases to get to the bottom of what has happened, why and could things have been done differently to get a better outcome.

Almost feel like Sherlock Holmes!!

For further information or to instruct directly please contact: Gary Hartnoll Consultant Neonatologist 07541 110 064 Dr.Gary@Hartnoll.net

Dr Richard J. Wild BSc (Hons) PhD FRMetS FRGS MAE MCSFS

Chief Meteorologist - WeatherNet Ltd WeatherNet have prepared in excess of 2200 related legal weather reports since 1997 for the legal industry. On average, WeatherNet service 100 new legal weather reports per year. Furthermore we can also provide testimonies or names of referees if required and an expert forensic meteorologist for court appearances.

In the last 5 years, WeatherNet have attended court to give evidence on three occasions.

In the last 22 years, WeatherNet has provided weather-related reports for the following legal cases:

Subjects covered

* Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) * Personal Injury Claims (Falling, Tripping and Slipping Accidents) * Flooding and Drainage Claims * Domestic and Commercial Insurance Claims * Liability * Travel and Transit * Contract Disputes * Industrial and Agricultural Incidents * Criminal Offences, including GBH, Rape, Murder and Burglary * Civil Engineering and Construction Extension and Disputes * Pollution and Contamination * Spoilage * Lighting, Visibility and Sunrise/Sunset Times * Aviation and Marine Incidents * Cargo Damage and Contamination * Sports and Leisure Injuries

WHO WE ARE WeatherNet is a subsidiary of Sedgwick, the UK's largest Loss Adjusting and Incident Management Company and specialises in supplying online weather applications, weather data sets, weather reports, consultancy and advice. WeatherNet was established in 1995 to provide postcoded weather information to UK insurers to help verify claims for storm, freeze and flood.

Although insurance remains a key business sector, WeatherNet has diversified, to offer bespoke services to industries such as legal, construction and forecasting.

WeatherNet are a recognised authority on UK weather and climate and hold a comprehensive and constantly updated archive of quality controlled weather information from our own exclusive network of urban manned and automatic weather stations throughout the UK. Each station has a full complement of recording and logging equipment, for temperature, rainfall, sunshine and wind. Many weather stations also record other elements such as pressure, visibility, humidity, snow depth, ground and soil temperatures. Where the weather station is manned, a descriptive account of the weather should also be available. From this weather data, weather averages and extreme weather events can be calculated or shown to see if a particular weather event was severe or unusual.

What Our Clients Say

"I work for a busy personal injury practice which handles many claims for slipping accidents both in and out of the workplace. There are often evidential disputes on these cases. In such circumstances I will commission a report from Dr Richard Wild at WeatherNet Limited to provide a clear and reliable account of the weather conditions at the relevant times. This in my view is the best way of resolving these issues."

Peter Magee: Thompsons Solicitors

"Dr Richard Wild can be relied on for a solid report for our defence cases defining the position at a particular time and place. The clarity and structure of the WeatherNet report allows me to make informed recommendations to clients."

Tara McSorley: BLM

OUR PARTNERS

Kingsland House | 21 Hinton Road | Bournemouth | Dorset | BH1 2DE 01202 296396 | legal@weathernet.co.uk | www.weathernet.co.uk

See this exclusive interview with one of our leading forensic & expert witnesses: David Bunker Forensic Accountancy News 2021 1.David we believe there has been a restructure in your career recently that envolved you moving on and commiting yourself to taking on more of thr forensic accountancy work ,can you explain what has happened and what you are going to be focusing on and dedicating your time to now ?

1a.How did your career evolve into you becoming an expert witness?

Having trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, I have been in General Practice for over thirty years, acting for a wide range of privately owned businesses. Over the period, I became increasingly interested in the issues arising out of accounting disputes, many involving the owners or directors of these businesses. This required the development of specialist skills such as forensic investigation and share valuation. In 2020 I retired from General Practice so that I could concentrate on these specialist areas.

2.What has been your most challenging expert witness case to date?

I have found a case involving a dispute between family members the most challenging because the nature of the dispute went far beyond the mere recital of financial information.

3.I know that you deal with a range of cases, but can you specify a common case that you tend to deal with on a regular basis?

A situation where a business comes to rely on a verbal explanation of the financial position which, when examined, turns out to be vastly different from the actual position.

4.What is your average turnaround time for a report?

I would always like to commence work on a case within two weeks of instruction. The turnaround time depends on the quality of the information received and the complexity of the issues involved, but I would consider five weeks a reasonable average.

7.Has anything changed in the years of you acting as expert witness for clients? i.e new technology and what techniques do you use?

The size of the witness bundles has decreased!

Electronic technology has certainly speeded up the work, and cut down the use of paper.

8.What are your qualifications with in your industry sector and qualifications that support your expert witness work?

As well as being a member of the Forensic group within the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales I am also a Member of the Academy of Experts and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

5.How often would you say your critical analysis the game changer in a claim?

9.What makes you or your company the go to expert witness in your specific field?

I would not expect my contribution by itself to ever be a game changer. I would hope that I can make a significant contribution to building up an overall picture.

My level of commitment to the issue before me

6.What do you feel is key to being an effective expert witness?

Experience, calmness, doggedness, a level of independence from the personalities involved

10.Is there any aspect of expert witness that you feel would surprise someone who was considering adding this to their CV? I never cease to be interested and intrigued by the matters before me. No two cases are ever alike!

0117 403 7799 davidalbunker@outlook.com mediatorandarbitrator.forensicandexpertwitness.co.uk 66 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8BH

Q&A

With Richard Scott Watson Director of RSW medico Legal Ltd The covid-19 lock down and pandemic has caused problems in the Legal system and expert witnesses have it hard running their normal practices, we know at RSW you have managed to over come this and have re opened a lot of your clinics, which clinic areas in the country are now open ? And how does the process now work to keep with in the corona virus protocol ?

I have managed to reopen most clinics but Oxford and Swindon remain shut indefinitely, so a new venue to cover these areas has been opened.

The use of WhatsApp and Facetime has been perfectly manageable for many cases. Children can be tricky and I have not accepted any that require an interpreter, but otherwise these have gone well. Solicitors and Agencies were very slow on the uptake and as a result backlogs far longer than necessary have built up.

One aspect that very few managed was that if the interview was being undertaken remotely, it did not matter where in the country the client was. Only one Agency managed this.

Are the reports completed still as accurate as before?

Reports can still be done accurately and some are still being performed remotely. Any weakness in the system has to be identified to the instruction party. It has to be noted what can and what cannot be examined this way.

Many cases rely on range of movement and estimates of tenderness by self-palpation (more accurate than examiner palpation). These can be done remotely.

“Is the Expert an Expert Witness?”

Most neurological examinations cannot, so I was surprised to see recently a remote interview report with a neurological examination documented as if ti was face to face.. When I examined the claimant the original report was clearly incorrect, but the limitation should have been pointed out.

expert witness How did you become an expert witness?

In 1990 I took on a long term locum Consultant post and it just started from there. It started gradually with the ore simple minor injuries and just built up over the years.

What has been your most challenging expert witness case?

There was one murder trial, which taxed everyone involved. As far as personal injury is concerned, a five day trial with a litigant in person proved particularly challenging, but we still won.

I know that you deal with a range of cases, but can you specify a common case that you tend to deal with on a regular basis?

There’s a lot of RTAs. It has not reduced, the attempts at fraud have not reduced and the system is creaking under the weight of very low standard initial reports.

What is your average turnaround time for a report?

Quickest – about 3 hours. Average if I have all the notes etc, will be three to five days.

How often would you say your critical analysis is the game changer in a claim?

I wish I knew! One of the problems in this field is lack of feedback. I get about two feedback letters a year.

What do you feel is key to being an effective expert witness?

Training, training, training (and practice). There are a lot of exceedingly good experts out there who do fantastic work in the NHS but they are not Expert Witnesses and do not understand the rules (although they sign their reports to say they do).

RSW

Medico Legal Ltd

Has anything changed in the years of you acting as expert witness for clients? the Royal Colleges In May 2019 produced a document 'Acting as an Expert or Professional Witness'. This is a must read.

Whilst not compulsory it advise that all expertsshould have attended training and have their expert work assessed at annual appraisal. I have yet to find another expert who complies with this. Failure can lead to referral to the GMC as it now contravenes Good Medical Practice. At least one referral has occurred in 2020 against an expert who was a defence advocate.

What are your qualifications with in your industry sector and qualifications that support your expert witness work or comment on recent events or conferences you have attended?

Preferable all should havethe Cardiff University Expert Witness Certificate runby Bond Solon.

What makes you the go to expert witness in your specific field?

I stick to the rules, so everybody knows where I am coming from. I am willing to change my opinion if new evidence says I should, but will not do so purely under pressure without that evidence.

Is there any aspect of expert witness that you feel would surprise someone who was considering adding this to their CV? Solicitors constantly (like about twice a week) ask for reports to be made more favourable (valuable) for their clients. They know they should not do so, and that we should not agree to such requests, especially since LVI vs Khan has shown Experts the danger of altering reports without evidence, although it was an absolute rule prior to that anyway.

01384 441 126 carolcouzens@ymail.com rswmedicolegal@gmail.com

Dr Oliver Segal MBBS MD FRCP(London) FHRS

Consultant Cardiologist Dr Oliver Segal is a Consultant Cardiologist who specialises in electrophysiology –

The study of heart rhythm disorders.

Dr Segal has nearly 20 years’ experience in the management of arrhythmias, performing catheter ablation and implanting pacemakers, defribrillators and other cardiac devices. He is based at The Harley Street Clinic and Diagnostic Centre and St. Bartholomew's & University College Hospitals in London.

Over the past five years Dr Segal has written expert witness reports for clinical negligence cases pertaining to many different aspects of cardiac electrophysiology and devices. He attended and then taught at the ‘Keeping Clinicians out of Court’ medico-legal course at Northwick Park Hospital for several years.

Dr Oliver Segal Consultant Cardiologist MBBS MD FRCP(London) FHRS Harley St Clinical Diagnostic Centre | 16 Devonshire Street | London | W1G 7AE 020 7034 8278 | Email: Email

Luke Meleagros BSc, MBBS, MD, FRCS

Consultant Surgeon & Medical Negligence Expert Witness What has been your most challenging expert witness case?

A case in the High Court several years ago. The case lasted all week, from Monday morning to Friday afternoon. I was in the witness box for a full day on the first day and for the morning of the second day.

I was not allowed to communicate with anybody involved in the case overnight between the first and second day of giving my evidence. The case was a complex one, regarding the Claimant’s care following bowel cancer surgery and postoperative complications. I was acting as expert witness for the Defendant. I was last to give evidence, after the Claimant, the two Defendant surgeons and the expert for the Claimant. There were many issues discussed at trial, including detailed reviews of the clinical records, of the CT scan and x-ray images and the oral evidence of the Claimant and the surgeons. Moreover there was a detailed scrutiny of a large body of scientific literature and arguments on the interpretation of the literature by the experts, the two Counsels and the Judge. The two experts failed to agree a joint statement prior to the trial and the final statement filed with the Court remained unsigned. The Claimant expert produced new evidence when he was in the witness box, including new opinions on the facts of the case and also new scientific articles not previously disclosed to the Defence.

From the start of the trial I felt that my expert views were fundamentally challenged by the Claimant’s Counsel and did not appear sufficiently persuasive to the Judge.

I presented a comprehensive and detailed account of my views and my interpretation of the scientific literature. However at the conclusion of the trail the Court found in favour of the Claimant and the Defence lost the case. To date I have given evidence in Court as expert witness in 10 cases.

This is the only case that the party for which I acted as expert witness has lost.

I know that you deal with a range of cases, but can you specify a common case that you tend to deal with on a regular basis?.

Acute appendicitis is a very common clinical condition. It may be assumed that the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis are standard and straight forward. However there are many pitfalls in the diagnosis and the surgical or nonsurgical treatment of acute appendicitis. I have dealt with many cases of missed or delayed diagnosis of acute appendicitis, cases of misdiagnosis of acute appendicitis as other conditions or misdiagnosis of other acute abdominal conditions as acute appendicitis and cases of inadequate/substandard surgery.

Potential breaches of duty in acute appendicitis can lead to delays in surgical treatment (appendicectomy), they can cause a more serious or complicated disease, they can result in inappropriate/unnecessary surgery or the need for additional surgery and they can cause increased risks of long-term health issues and potential health problems.

What is your average turnaround time for a report?

It depends on the complexity of the case. Some reports, with limited records to be reviewed and issues that are straight forward do not take long to prepare. With such reports, perusal of records, review of any relevant literature and consideration of the matters to be included and discussed in the report is not a challenging or lengthy process. My turnaround time for these reports can be only a few days from receipt of instructions. However there are other cases which are complex, with extensive records that take several hours, sometimes days to review fully. Sometimes an extensive review of the scientific literature is necessary. And it is necessary to consider and ponder/weigh up the relevant matters first before undertaking preparation of the report. My turnaround time for these reports can be a few weeks from receipt of instructions. In addition to the level of complexity of the case, my turnaround time is also dependent on how many reports are pending at any one time. Given that I receive several new instructions every month, as well as requests to review new documents and prepare responses in cases that I have already reported on, sometimes the turnaround time can be as long as 8 weeks.

How often would you say your critical analysis the game changer in a claim?

This is a difficult question to answer, mainly because I do not have feedback from solicitors to indicate what if any weight my critical analysis carried in settling any particular case. I know that the opinions expressed in my reports are set out, usually verbatim, in solicitors’ Letters/Particulars of Claim or Letters of response/Defence. Of course my opinions are, almost as a rule, challenged by the other party, as would normally be expected in litigation. I do not know how often my expert reports or other contributions can be considered as a game changer. However, I know that at least three cases that were due to go to Court the other party discontinued largely based on my critical analysis detailed in documents such as experts’ joint reports prepared shortly before the trial date.

What do you feel is key to being an effective expert witness?

Objective and critical analysis of the facts; detailed knowledge of the issues that are fundamental to the case, including a good knowledge and

understanding of the relevant scientific literature; thoughtful consideration of all the relevant matters before starting to prepare the report; a logical sequence of arguments which are consistent and not contradictory to each other set out in the report.

And very important is that the expert’s report is presented in a language and manner that renders it fully comprehensible to lay persons, i.e. legal professionals, who may not have any background in the specialist medical issues of a particular case.

Has anything changed in the years of you acting as expert witness for clients?

Obviously the Civil Procedure Rules have changed.

The role of the expert witness is very clearly defined.

The expert witness can no longer express views or opinions based on narrow personal views or beliefs that cannot be supported by independent evidence such as may be found in scientific literature. I find that expert discussions based on agendas prepared by the parties is much commoner now than it was in the past. There is a tendency by the solicitors and the courts to favour an approach whereby the experts are instructed to discuss the crucial matters in a case. Possibly this practice is intended to assist the solicitors in settling the case. Or possibly the purpose is to narrow the areas of disagreement in order to allow the Court to focus on a narrow range of issues only. However I have found that on most occasions there is only little agreement between the experts.

What are your qualifications with in your industry sector and qualifications that support your expert witness work?

I have the following qualifications: BSc in Biochemistry; MBBS (University of London), which is the basic medical degree awarded after completing training in Medical School; FRCS (England), which is the Diploma of fellow of the Royal College of Surgeon, the postgraduate qualification in Surgery; MD (University of London), which is a doctorate in Medicine obtained after undertaking a period of research followed by preparation of a thesis.

Therefore I have medical and surgical qualifications as well as qualifications in scientific research. These qualifications enable me to critically analyse clinical cases within my areas of expertise, namely general abdominal laparoscopic and colorectal surgery, and also review and evaluate scientific research and articles which are relevant in the cases under consideration.

“My clinical experience is a crucial qualification that supports my expert witness work”.

Of course my academic qualifications are significantly supported and enriched by my clinical experience in the fields of surgery over many years as a trainee in surgery and as consultant surgeon.

My clinical experience is a crucial qualification that supports my expert witness work.

What makes you the go to expert witness in your specific field?

The parties that instruct me are best placed to answer this question. There are a number of excellent experts in the field of general/abdominal surgery and I am not privy to the selection criteria solicitors apply when they select any particular expert. I have been preparing medicolegal expert reports for over 20 years. Some years the total number of reports exceeded 100. I prepare on average 1-2 reports per week. I have given evidence in Court as expert witness on 10 occasions, mostly in the last 5 years.

Therefore I have extensive experience in expert witness work and given the number of instructions I receive, at least for some solicitors I am the go to expert in my specific field. I like to think that my work is recognised for the quality of my reports, my expert oral evidence given in Court, the plain language in the reports and the clear explanations provided that enable lay persons to understand and be able to analyse what can sometimes be complex medical issues.

Is there any aspect of expert witness that you feel would surprise someone who was considering adding this to their CV?

Expert witness work is very fulfilling both intellectually and also in terms of improving a doctor’s clinical practice. As a result of my experience as expert witness, I have broadened my knowledge in medicine and surgery greatly over the years. Also I have become much more aware of many very important aspects in patient care and management, including effective communication, detailed counselling regarding benefits and risks of surgical procedures and the importance of presenting choices to patients with relevant information such as to enable them to make an informed decision.

I have applied to my clinical practice the important lessons I learned and experience I have gained through my medicolegal practice. Expert witness work has many important benefits. But it is also challenging work that requires many hours of study and preparation in order to achieve the standards required when performing this important role in the legal system.

For further information please contact Dr Meleagros 020 8527 0977 l.meleagros@btinternet.com jawdobson@gmail.com

Prof Muntzer Mughal MB ChB, FRCS, ChM

Consultant Surgeon & Honorary Clinical Professor Professor Mughal has a 30-year experience as a consultant general surgeon. This includes elective and emergency general surgery although he specialises in upper gastrointestinal surgery. This includes the full range of benign conditions such as the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux, achalasia and oesophageal strictures, as well as malignant conditions such as oesophagogastric cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumours.

He has particular expertise in the management of complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery such as anastomotic leak, oesophageal perforation and failed antireflux surgery. His surgical expertise includes oesophageal reconstruction and treatment of tracheo-oesophageal fistulae.

In his previous roles as Clinical Director and Head of Service, Professor Mughal has considerable experience in the management of serious incidents.

He is also on the panel for the Royal College of Surgeons of England invited Review Mechanism and, over the last 14 years, has led on a number of reviews of surgical services in England and Wales.

Professor Mughal has a 15-year experience of medicolegal practice. He has attended several courses and is registered with the National Expert Witness Agency.

Over the years he has taken instructions on a variety of cases including those relating to cancer of the stomach and oesophagus, surgery for gastro-oesophageal reflux, hiatus hernia and achalasia, oesophageal perforation and chemical injury, complications of oesophagogastric and bariatric surgery, abdominal sepsis, gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal wall hernias.

Prof Muntzer Mughal MB ChB, FRCS, ChM Consultant Surgeon & Honorary Clinical Professor

Please contact Prof Mughal for further information 07789 695446 | muntzer@btinternet.com | muntzer.mughal@nhs.net

www.muntzermughal.com

Prof Muntzer Mughal

MB ChB, FRCS, ChM Consultant Surgeon & Honorary Clinical Professor

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Professor Mughals Medical Expertise Includes The Following Conditions:

General Surgery Upper Gi Surgery Abdominal Wall Hernias Hiatus Hernia Gastroesophageal Reflux Achalasia Gastric Cancer Oesophageal Cancer Oesophageal Perforation Boerhaave Syndrome Oesophageal Stricture Caustic Oesophageal Injury.

Peptic Ulcer Barrett’s Oesophagus Gallstones Cholecystectomy Bile Leaks Biliary Injury Oesophagectomy Gastrectomy Anastomotic Leak Chyle Leak

Please contact Prof Mughal for further information 07789 695446 | muntzer@btinternet.com | muntzer.mughal@nhs.net

www.muntzermughal.com

Eric Drabble MBBS, MS, MA, FRCS, FRCS(Ed)

Breast, Breast Reconstructive and Oncoplastic Surgeon General and Hernia Surgeon

Specialist in presenting clear explanations of: . How an event or mishap occurred . What has occurred and why . The implications and expected outcomes of mishap or injury I carry out approximately 20+ medico-legal reports per annum.

My reports are written in clear terms for the court and instructing lawyers, interpreting and explaining medical language and terms.

T:01752 761850 T: 07533 186772 E: pbgsurg@icloud.com Former Chairman of the Peninsula Breast Cancer Network, South west regional representative of ABS and BASO and chair of PHNT Breast MOT group

Dr Krishnaswamy Madhavan MBBS, MD, FRCR

Consultant Clinical Oncologist Dr Krishnaswamy Madhavan can act as an expert witness, including the preparation of medico-legal reports, in negligence cases involving radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

His Specialist Areas Of Expertise Include: • Tumour Sites • Neuro-Oncology • Gynae-Oncology • Head, Neck And Thyroid Cancers • Skin Cancer & • Diagnostic Pathways.

Dr Madhavan can undertake cases on behalf of either claimant or defendant and reports can usually be prepared within 10 working days from receipt of all relevant information.

2020

Federation of ederation of

Expert witnesses ic Forensic & Expert&witnesses

Please Contact Dr Madhavan for more information

01376 564459 01702 435555 07737 695086 sharanyaltd@gmail.com

Southend University Hospital Prittlewell Chase WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA Essex SS0 0RY

Dr Nick Plowman MA, MD, FRCP, FRCR

Is Senior Clinical Oncologist to St Bartholomew's Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children Great Ormond Street, London. He also undertakes honorary duties at St Mark's Hospital in Harrow, the country's leading specialist hospital for colorectal and intestinal disease, and at Moorfield's Eye Hospital, London. His research ventures have led to changes in best stander care in the treatment of breast and prostate cancer. He wrote his thesis on aspects of lung cancer. Dr Plowman performs circa 70 medico legal reports a year and has 20 years experience in such reports for claimants and defence re: liability and causation in adult and childhood cancer.

Dr Plowman graduated from Guy's Hospital Medical School in 1974, having previously gained First Class Honours in both the Medical Sciences Tripos and the Natural Sciences Tripos at Cambridge University. He then completed his thesis at Cambridge University before joining St Bartholomew's Hospital, where he has been Head of Department since 1989.

Expert in prostate cancer treatment

Nick Plowman is a Harley Street based expert on the use of radiation therapy and chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer, with a special interest in improving cure rates in cancer, whilst reducing the side effects of therapy.

Modern computers and radiotherapy machines are used to mould the high dose of radiation to the tumour itself, minimising the risk of damage to the surrounding healthy organs and tissues and reducing any side effects to the bladder and bowel.

This treatment is suitable for patients in whom the cancer has not progressed beyond the capsule covering the prostate gland.

Private treatment

Dr Plowman is available for consultation at his rooms in Harley Street. He is able to offer the latest techniques in the management and treatment of cancer, with a special interest in:

• • • • • • • •

Prostate cancer Breast cancer Central nervous system cancers Paediatric cancers Urological cancers Cancers affecting the eye Thyroid and endocrine cancer Lung cancer

Dr Plowman is recognised as one of London's leading experts in the treatment of prostate cancer, using the most up-to-date techniques:

External beam radiotherapy

conformal

Seed implantation brachytherapy

A number of small, radioactive seeds are put into the prostate gland. Over a period of a few months, they deliver a localised high dose of radiation. The surrounding tissues only receive a very low dose, lessening the risk of damage. The seeds have faded away by the end of the treatment time and this therapy offers a low side effect option for the treatment of early prostate cancer.

Hormone therapy

Lowering the amount of testosterone in the body with medicines can reduce the chance of an early prostate cancer returning or can shrink or slow the growth of an advanced tumour that has spread beyond the capsule of the prostate. Treatment is dependent on the precise grade and stage of the cancer and Dr Plowman is able to offer experienced advice.

Key Published Papers • Overviews on breast and gastrointestinal cancer (modern management) • Optimal methods of treating prostate cancer • The complications of Cancer Management (Ed P.N.Plowman) • Stereotactically delivered Brain Radiation Therapy (Radiosurgery) and brain tumour therapies • Paediatric Oncology (Ed P.N.Plowman, CR Pinkerton)

Stereotactic radiotherapy

As well using the most modern standard radiotherapy machines, Dr Plowman is at the forefront of this new technology that uses a single targeted dose of radiation to treat tumours that were not otherwise killed by standard radiation therapy or were situated in dangerous positions.

The treatment is delivered using specially designed linear accelerator machines:

Gamma Knife

This is a safe, accurate and reliable state-of-theart machine that targets the affected cancer site only. There is no open surgery and the patient can be discharged within 24 hours. Because of its accuracy, the Gamma Knife is used for the treatment of tumours near the brain stem and optic nerve.

CyberKnife

This machine has a robotic arm that can deliver targeted high-dose radiation to tumours anywhere in the body, even parts that are moving such as the lung. Damage to the surrounding tissues is minimised and CyberKnife offers painless treatment for some tumours that were previously considered to be inoperable or untreatable.

Clinical interests

Dr Plowman's clinical interests include the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, brain tumours, endocrine cancer, urological cancer; cancers in children & young persons (chemotherapy & radiotherapy) and the use of stereotactic radiotherapy (CyberKnife And GammaKnife).

Dr Plowman's special interests are directed towards improving cure rates in cancer, whilst reducing the side effects of therapy. He is an expert on both radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

In medical oncology, his main contribution has been the demonstration of the importance of adrenal sex steroid production in both breast and prostate cancer and he pioneered therapies aimed at interrupting these pathways in both diseases that have now become standard treatment across the world.

Research interests

Reducing the toxicity of drug/chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer treatment.

P N Plowman MA MD FRCP FRCR Consultant Clinical Oncologist 14 Harmont House 20 Harley Street London W1G 9PH

T: 020 7631 1632 E:postmaster@pnplowman.demon.co.uk W:www.prostatecancertreatment.co.uk W:www.canceradvice.co.uk

Cardiology Expert Witness

Federation of

Forensic & Expert witnesses

Dr Toomas Sarev FRCP, FESC Consultant Cardiologist

Areas of Expertise: I am a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Cardiology Service Director at NNUH, Norwich. I cover all aspects of heartrelated problems in adults. I am mostly interested in ischaemic heart disease and coronary interventions. I work as an independent medico-legal expert and am particularly interested in cardiological issues related to clinical negligence and personal injuries..

I am a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Cardiology Service Director at NNUH, Norwich. I cover all aspects of heart-related problems in adults. I am mostly interested in ischaemic heart disease and coronary interventions. I work as an independent medico-legal expert and am particularly interested in cardiological issues related to clinical negligence and personal injuries.

The waiting time for my next medico-legal appointment is 1-2 weeks and report completion time is 3-6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the questions and issues. I keep myself up to date with CPR. To ensure the best practice as an expert, I have attended workshops arranged by Lynden Alexander and Giles Eyre via Professional Solutions Learning and Development at 12 Bloomsbury Square, London, a course of successful communication at experts’ meetings and preparing to give oral evidence in court and an advanced workshop in writing expert reports in Jan 2017. I have completed medico-legal expert training courses via specialistInfo.com at 218 Strand, London, led by the wellknown Jonathan Dingle and Judith Kelbie; the courtroom skills course and clinical negligence medico-legal course in November 2014. I also completed a refresher in medico-legal expert advanced training in September 2014.

I am a member of the Norfolk and Norwich Medico-Legal Society and The Medico-Legal Society of London. I subscribe to their journal and the Medical Law Review.

Kardiostar Ltd

6 The Ridings CRINGLEFORD Norfolk NR4 6UJ 07432 552056 medicolegal@kardiostar.com kardiostar.com

Dr Duncan S Dymond is a consultant cardiologist who has been undertaking expert witness and medico-legal work for more than 8 years completing 1-2 reports a week for personal injury and medical negligence cases.

He has also completed expert witness work for the General Medical Council, the Medical Defence Union and the Crown Prosecution Service as well as accepting private instructions directly from solicitors.

Dr Dymond is extensively published with more than 100 scientific articles to his name. He has been Consultant Cardiologist at St Bartholomews Hospital for 31 years, now holding the title of Consultant Emeritus, and is in practice in central London.

Currently Dr Duncan Dymond is actively involved in most aspects of adult cardiology. He sees patients with chest pains, shortness of breath, dizziness and collapse, palpitations etc. He has maintained his expertise in the use and interpretation of radioisotope imaging techniques in both diagnosing coronary artery disease and in the assessment of its prognosis. He is also widely experienced in the use of EBCT calcium scanning to assess future risk, and has an interest in the developing techniques of CT angiography and magnetic resonance imaging of the heart.

As far as procedures are concerned, his major expertise is in the field of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) which involves the use of stents to open blocked or narrowed arteries. Dr Duncan Dymond has been in this field since 1980 and in fact was among the first to use balloon technology in the UK. He specialises in complex cases such as multivessel disease, chronically blocked arteries, and narrowings in bypass grafts as a few examples.

His results, success and complication rates are produced each year as part of the NHS appraisal process.

Harley Cardiology Ltd

34 Circus Road St John's Wood London NW8 9SG 0207 079 4260 medicolegal@harleycardiology.com www.drduncandymond.com

Dr. Khalid Barakat MA MB BS MD FRCP(UK) PGCert MedSim

Consultant Cardiologist Dr Khalid Barakat achieved an MA in Physiological Sciences at Trinity College, Oxford and completed his MBBS and MD at the University of London. He has been practising as a Consultant Cardiologist since 2004, initially at Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, where he worked until 2016. He was instrumental in repatriating NHS cardiology services from London to a local setting, which was highly beneficial for the local patient population and was very well received.

In 2006 Dr Barakat set up a private cardiology practice – Windsor Cardiology - with his colleague Dr Stephen Rex. He offers outpatient clinics and interventional procedures to private patients in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and West London. Additionally, he was appointed Director of Cardiovascular Simulation at Bart’s Heart Centre in December 2016 and is the BCS National Lead for Simulation based Training. He is in the process of mapping simulation-based learning to the cardiology training curriculum.

Dr Barakat’s specialist areas of clinical practice are: invasive cardiology (coronary angiograms) | interventional cardiology (coronary angioplasty), coronary artery disease (acute coronary syndromes | unstable angina, angina and myocardial infarction) permanent pacemaker implantation and heart failure.

He has an active interest in teaching.

For more information please contact Contact Karen Holmes Practice Manager Windsor Cardiology LLP Opening Hours 8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday

www.windsorcardiology.com T: 01753 660845 | F: 01753 662849 | Email: enquiries@windsorcardiology.com

Dr Sam Firoozi MBBS (Hons), MRCP

Consultant Cardiologist

Consultant Cardiologist with expertise in: • Interventional Cardiology (angioplasty, stenting) • Coronary Artery Disease • General Cardiology and Hypertension.

He has experience in writing medico-legal reports including reports on clinical negligence.

Memberships:

• British Cardiovascular Intervention Soc. (BCIS); British Cardiovascular Soc. (BCS) • The Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses.

For further information please contact Dr Sam Firoozi:

Department of Cardiology St Georges Hospital SW17 0QT

M: 07803 345 438 E: emmastroud.medsec@gmail.com F: 0208 711 3573

Consultant Neurosurgeon & Spinal Surgeon Mr Matthias WR Radatz MD (Berlin), CCST (Neuro) (Berlin), FRCS (Eng)

Areas of Expertise:

I am a Consultant Neurosurgeon in a very busy tertiary unit and Teaching Hospital offering a regional, national and international service. I continue to offer an elective and on-call/emergency service.

I have medico-legal experience in: • Head injury.

• Spinal disorders: backpain, whiplash, degenerative and complex cases.

• Cerebrovascular disorders.

• General neurosurgery.

• Stereotactic radiosurgery.

• Medical negligence.

• Extensive medicolegal experience I have comprehensive medico-legal experience in personal injury and negligence claims including joint expert conferences and court attendance.

I have been lead clinician for over 5 years and programme director for neurosurgery. Member of the SAC and council of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS), ex-chair Stereotactic Radiosurgery CRG and currently president of the British Radiosurgery Society.

For further information Please Contact BMI Thornbury Hospital 312 Fulwood Road SHEFFIELD South Yorkshire S10 3BR

0114 255 1684 07985 221640 (Sec) 07881 943110 radatz@blueyonder.co.uk radatz.secretary@gmail.com

Dr Paul Sigston MBChB FRCA FRCP(Edin) FFICM

Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care

Dr Sigston is a consultant in both Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine. He was appointed to a consultant position in Tunbridge Wells in 1998. He works in the NHS and also the private sector locally.

He qualified from Edinburgh University in 1987 and underwent training in Medicine, Anaesthetics and Intensive Care in both adults and paediatric practice.

In addition to clinical practice, Dr Sigston has held a number of senior leadership positions including Medical Director and Responsible Officer and in addition sits as a Royal College Advisor on Consultant Interview Panels.

In his many years of senior medical leadership position, Dr Sigston has widespread experience of managing clinical negligence issues, civil claims and coroner’s court hearings. He is conversant with the workings of the legal system and the needs of various parties. He was heavily involved in the defence of a corporate manslaughter case involving the Trust: this case was successfully defended with a dismissal of the case by the judge (R v Dr Errol Cornish and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust).

Dr Sigston has completed specialist Expert witness training with Bond Solon.

M:07712 007 051 E: paul@sigston.co.uk E: paul.sigston@nhs.net W: www.sigston.co.uk Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells.

Kent TN2 4QJ

Training Bond Solon

Membership

General Medical Council, Royal College of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, European Society of Anaesthesia Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland.

The Federation of forensic and expert witnesses

Dr Clifford Piers Clifford graduated from Oxford University in 1984 with a first class degree before completing his medical training at St Mary’s Medical School, London in 1987. His cardiological training was predominantly at the Hammersmith Hospital, where he still works as an Interventional Cardiologist.

He was appointed as a Consultant Cardiologist to Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust in 1999. He is now the Clinical Lead for Cardiology, the Chairman of the Division of Medicine, and has developed highly successful angioplasty and investigative units which are unrivalled by other district hospitals. He has developed vast experience, skill and expertise in all areas of adult cardiology with a particular interest in coronary intervention, the modern treatment of hypertension, atrial fibrillation and the inherited cardiomyopathies.

Dr Piers Clifford BA (Oxon) 1st Class FRCP MD MBBS

Also in 1999, Dr. Clifford began his private practice at the Chiltern Hospital to further meet the needs of Buckinghamshire residents and to allow him to offer the very highest standard of personalised patient care. He now also offers consultations at the Shelburne Hospital in High Wycombe, HCA Chiswick, and HJE in St Johns Wood, London.

Dr. Clifford has three children and lives in central London. He plays competitive tennis, enjoys good food and fine wine, and likes to spend as much time as possible in the mountains. However, his sons tend to keep him on the touchline and his daughter in the clothes shops.

Support Staff Dr. Clifford’s secretary, Catherine Teasdel, is a vastly experienced medical secretary who has worked alongside him for the last 11 years. On the rare occasion when she is not available, a support secretary will always be on hand to answer your queries and provide access to your test results.

Cardiac Specialist

PIERS CLIFFORD CARDIAC SPECIALIST

Medico Legal

Contact

Dr. Clifford has extensive experience in providing medico legal reports and examinations in matters relating to the cardiovascular system. He aims to achieve a rapid turnaround, usually providing the report within a week of the request, and to provide a definitive opinion to assist with obtaining a quick and satisfactory resolution to each case.

Dr Clifford has produced medicolegal reports for medical negligence claims for the last 5 years, acting predominantly for the Claimant, and has adjudicated on cases deciding whether doctors are fit to practice. He performs medical assessments for fitness to fly and to race high performance vehicles.

As Clinical Lead for cardiology He is instrumental in developing protocols for safe patient care and has a particular interest in measuring quality of health care delivery. Dr Clifford has undertaken expert witness training with Bond Solon and has received the Cardiff University CUBS certificate.

Dr Cliffords research interest is in the molecular genetics of cardiovascular disease and he is Principal Investigator in 15 clinical trials including studies on coronary stenting, using novel technologies to reduce infarct size in heart attack, the modern treatment of atrial fibrillation and in cardiac rehabilitation. Dr Clifford has won National awards (PEN award for continuity of care, finalist for HSJ Value in Healthcare and an award for commercial research from Dame Sally Davies).

He is on the Council of the British Cardiovascular Society.

Contact Direct 01494 425 004 07879 440 929 info@piersclifford.co.uk www.piersclifford.co.uk

Mr Kulvinder Lall is one of the United Kingdom's leading cardiac surgeons. Qualifying in 1989 from the University of London he has trained in Cardiothoracic Surgery in London, Glasgow and Sydney. He was appointed to St Bartholomew's Hospital as one of the youngest cardiac surgeons in the UK aged 36.

As an NHS Surgeon he has performed in excess of 5,000 heart operations with outstanding results as measured by the Care Quality Commission and the Department of Health.

Mr Lall has been producing medico legal reports for the past five years in cases involving all aspects of cardiac and thoracic surgery. These reports include aspects relating to surgical care and those following trauma to the structures of the chest.

Mr Lall can act on behalf of either claimant or defendant or as a Single Joint Expert. Turn around time for reports is 20 working days or less depending on the complexity of the case.

Aortic Valve Replacement

For more information please contact

MR KULVINDER LALL

NHS Enquiries

T | +44 (0) 203 465 5149 E l cherrie.sharma@bartshealth.nhs.uk

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Private, Insurance, Overseas & Medico-Legal Enquiries T | 020 7234 2288 E | melanie.todd@medicaladminservices.co.uk

www.cardiothoracic-surgeon.co.uk/

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Dr Cooke provides a veterinary Expert Witness service on behalf of the defence, prosecution and as a SJE. He takes instructions from members of the public, veterinary and legal professionals as well as welfare and conservation organisations.

He produces detailed reports backed by 37 years in general practice and laboratory experience which are supported by contemporary peer reviewed sources.

He is confident at testing the veracity of other Expert's opinions and will undertake professional negligence cases.

His experience in Veterinary medicine and surgery relates to small pets - cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, birds and rodents as well as the exotic pet species and British wildlife.

His work with veterinary diagnostic laboratories includes forensic post mortem examinations and crime scene investigation, writing, training and lecturing.

Dr Stephen W. Cooke BVSc, MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Fee structure conforms to LAA restrictions across the board.

Memberships inc: MRCVS, The Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses.

Contact now to instruct Veterinary Advisors Ltd Tel: 07768 006935 71 - 75 Shelton Street Mobile: 07940 572823 Covent Garden Email: stephenwcooke@icloud.com London Website: www.veterinaryadvisors.co.uk WC2H 9JQ

DR RAPHAEL PERRY MEDICO-LEGAL EXPERT FRCP, DM, B.Med.Sci, BM BS

Consultant Cardiologist & Specialist in Coronary Intervention / Medical Director & Deputy Chief Executive

CONSULTANT CARDIOLOGIST AND EXPERT WITNESS Dr Raphael Perry has a wide experience of general and tertiary centre cardiology and cardiovascular disease.

Since his Consultant appointment in 1991 at the The Cardiothoracic Centre, Liverpool, he has undertaken a heavy clinical workload in his areas of interest.

One such area of interest is Interventional Cardiology in which he has been involved in over 8,000 cases.

Year after year he has performed the largest number of coronary interventions in an increasing variety of patient sub - groups.

In addition, he has until recently been heavily involved in the clinical development of Echocardiography.

As a consultant cardiologist, clinical lecturer in medicine and an associate medical director, Dr Perry has vast experience in his specialist field and as such is appointed on up to 60 cases per year as an expert witness.

His turnaround time from instruction to completion of a report, depending on the amount of documentation, is usually between 10 - 12 weeks.

He is willing to act as a single joint expert with his workload split 60% claimant, 20% defendant and 20% joint.

DR RAPHAEL PERRY

"I have wide experience of general and tertiary centre cardiology/cardiovascular disease.

My areas of sub-speciality at the regional centre are in ischaemic heart disease, coronary intervention, acute coronary/ intensive care and echocardiography.

In addition to patient care I have experience in managing training grade doctors in clinical research.

I have been actively engaged in medicolegal work for more than 20 years and have had specific training in the same.

I am well versed in the production of a wide range of medical reports, tribunals and court appearances."

Dr Perry has undergone medico legal training courses with APIL and Bond Solon and has CPD points in expert evidence.

Qualifications

Qualified at: Nottingham Qualifications: FRCP, DM, B.Med.Sci, BM BS

Memberships include:

Membership of Medico Legal organisations (including Registered Expert Witness:): Expert Witness, Your Witness, APIL, The Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses I am registered with the NPIA (National Policing Improvement agency) and regularly work for IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission)

Contact now to chat or instruct direct: Ms G Gowing (secretary) Tel: 0151 600 1399 Fax: 0151 600 1254 Mob: 07766 337 777 Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Thomas Drive, Broadgreen, Liverpool L14 3PE Email: raphael.perry@lhch.nhs.uk

www.cardiacspecialist.info

DR. KHALID MAHMOOD

Consultant Cardiologist & Expert Witness

Having undertaken the post of Consultant Cardiologist at Solihull Hospital, Heart of England NHS Trust for the past 8 years, since 2013 Dr. Khalid Mahmood has also offered his services as a MedicoLegal Expert Witness.

You only have to look at the extensive academic training Professor Mahmood has undertaken, leading to him achieving qualifications including Mb ChB, MRCP (UK), together with the wealth of practical experience on which he can draw, to appreciate that he has all the necessary credentials to provide a highly efficient, unbiased service as an Expert Witness.

In a recent interview Dr. Mahmood told us: “I have over eight years experience as a consultant cardiologist with a wide variety of clinical interests.

This has allowed me to gain knowledge and experience of many different clinical cases which allows me to provide critical review of cases where I am asked to act as an Expert Witness.I also have experience in general internal medicine which broadens my knowledge base and helps to review cases in more detail and with wider expertise.”

Dr. Mahmood has been requested to give evidence in as an Expert Witness in court cases on a number of occasions, including those listed below: •

A case which took place at a Coroners Court: Independent Expert Witness - Review of a case of in hospital mortality

•

A case for which Dr. Mahmood acted as an independent Expert Witness on behalf of the Crown Prosecution service regarding case of mortality linked to alleged medical negligence.

•

Dr. Mahmood acted as an independent Expert Witness: Medico-legal compensation injury claims - multiple.

•

Dr. Mahmood acted as an independent Expert Witness in a case which took place in Crown court- Case involving motorist involved in fatal car accident.

Dr Mahmood is involved in advanced cardiology training and teaching as evident in the fact that he has been the Educational lead for medical student teaching; undertaken a Regional role in SpR teaching/assessment, together with undertaking MRCP training and providing a contribution to core medical training for FY1 and FY2 trainees.

Also regularly attending international and national Seminars & Workshops, as part of his commitment to continually develop his knowledge-base.

As you would expect of such a consummate professional, Dr. Mahmood is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians, a Member of the Medical Defence Union and a Member of the British Medical Association.

If required, Professor Mahmood is happy to provide details of three referees.

TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS FOR AN EXPERT WITNESS CONTACT:

DR. KHALID MAHMOOD Tel: 07795460224 Email: khalidmahmood99@hotmail.com

Professor Saul Myerson

General Cardiologist & Expert Witness

Prof. Saul Myerson is a general cardiologist. His specialist areas involve diagnostic testing, particularly advanced cardiac imaging.

Prof. Myerson also holds an international reputation for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and is often consulted about diagnosing particularly difficult cases/diagnoses, and asked to identify the causative processes involved.

“These areas of expertise fit well with common medicolegal cases in cardiology, which often revolve around correct diagnosis, particularly differentiating normal from abnormal findings; causation and the likely time frame; and the appropriate actions followed by the medical team.” he explained in a recent interview.

Assessing future risk/prognosis and the suitability of patients for cardiac surgery (e.g. viability studies, and assessing the severity of valve disease) also form part of Prof. Myerson's practice; this is also very helpful for medico-legal work.

Mostly receiving direct instruction from lawyers; Prof.

Myerson has acted on behalf of both defence and prosecution in the Court of Law and is also happy acting as a single joint witness. His assessments and reports are always objective and focussed on best medical practice. However, most cases that Prof. Myerson has taken instruction on have avoided coming to court – detailed and objective reports allowing for an informed discussion between legal teams, so that a settlement can be reached, avoiding court costs.

Discussing the role of a single joint expert. Prof.

Myerson explained that: “The appointment of a single joint expert can add value to the judicial system. The Expert Witness will prepare a truthful, objective report and, in my own examples, detail how and which things were done well and which aspects were not managed so well and how these indifferences may have affected the outcome.”

“A fair and objective report for both sides leads to a wholly accepted expert opinion and can improve the chances of an agreement being made without the expense of attending court in most cases,” he concluded.

Professor. Myerson is a member of

• The Royal College Of Physicians • The European Society Of Cardiology • The British Cardiovascular Society • The British Society For Echocardiography • The Society For Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance • The British Society For Heart Valve Disease.

Case examples: “I have been an expert witness on several cases involving sports screening,” Prof. Myerson explained. “A robust and accurate approach is required for the cardiologist undertaking an assessment (usually as a result of an initial screening test being abnormal); a recent case also highlighted the importance of good communication and appropriate handling in avoiding a legal challenge.”

A professional footballer for a premier league club had an abnormal ECG but normal cardiac imaging. His likelihood of a cardiomyopathy was higher than the normal population but still low (<10%), and he was allowed to continue playing. However, Prof. Myerson identified that an appropriate consultation with him did not occur, and the abnormalities and potential risks were not discussed with him, denying him the opportunity to consider his options which included detraining for a period of time to see if the changes resolved. Unfortunately, the player suffered a cardiac arrest in his first professional game and, although he was resuscitated, he suffered significant neurological damage and required lifelong nursing care subsequently.

The family won a High Court case for compensation and ongoing care costs, despite the normal imaging tests, due to the club’s failure to implement an appropriate process for assessment, and the failure of communication denying the player the opportunity of making an informed choice.

Another recent case which Prof. Myerson was involved in concerned a patient with severe multi-organ failure (including liver and kidney failure) who had poor cardiac function.

Identifying whether the cardiac failure caused the liver and other organs to fail, or that the severe liver and kidney failure (and secondary sepsis) led to cardiac dysfunction was important - the cardiac failure might have been picked up during a visit by the patient’s GP ten days prior to admission when the patient was unwell.

In this case, the severity and type of liver failure was too great to have been secondary to the cardiac failure, and it was more likely that liver failure due to hepatitis was the primary cause – this would have been more difficult to identify until jaundice had occurred (after the GP had seen the patient), and the GP was found not to be negligent.

Asked about the importance of instructing an Expert Witness at the beginning of an investigation/ legal case, opposed to asking for an opinion at a later stage of the proceedings, Prof. Myerson explained: “Knowing whether you have a strong case / can defend a case is crucial to avoiding unnecessary legal work, and being able to focus on the important legal aspects. This requires a good understanding of the medical issues, and only an expert witness can provide that level of advice really, unless the legal team are particularly well informed in that specialist area. It can save much expense and effort if the correct path is identified at the start.”

Prof. Myerson states that “although an initial assessment from the bare details is possible, it is not as beneficial as an actual expert's opinion – this is surely a better option whilst remaining objective.”

For further information, please contact Prof. Saul Myerson

T:01865 222 770.

E:saul.myerson@cardiov.ox.ac.uk

Mr Neil Roberts MB ChB MRCS MD FRCS (C-Th)

Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon

M

r Neil Roberts is a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon practising in the NHS at Barts Heart Centre in the city of London. He also has a private practice based in Harley Street in London.

Mr Roberts entered the specialist register in 2011 and has been a consultant cardiac surgeon since February 2011. He is experienced in all aspects of adult cardiac surgery. He has also been the clinical governance lead in his department for the last 3 years, and has therefore extensive experience in incident reviews, complaint responses and negotiating the clinical governance systems within the NHS. Mr Roberts is trained in medicolegal and expert witness report writing through courses with Bond Solon and has been writing medicolegal reports for three years.

Mr Roberts accepts cases involving :

• Clinical Negligence report writing – aspects of breach of duty and causation • Personal Injury – aspects of current condition and prognosis

• • • •

His areas of interest and experience include:

Clinical governance, surgical safety standards, WHO checklist compliance Serious incidents and Datix incident investigations and process All aspects of adult cardiothoracic surgery Pre intervention decision making in cardiology and cardiac intervention – was the correct process followed, was the patient discussed in the appropriate MDT according to current best practice, were the international guidelines followed and alternatives discussed with the patient?

• Consent issues

Medicolegal report writing estimated turnaround time of less than 21 days, depending on the complexity of the case.

Terms and conditions are available on request.

Clinical Negligence report writing – aspects of breach of duty and cau

Mr Neil Roberts Alongside the extensive experience Mr Roberts has in writing medicolegal reports he is well versed in giving oral evidence and being cross examined in court.

Feedback from lawyers and barristers who regularly use Mr Robert’s expert services is very positive, often citing the speed with which Mr Roberts is able to write reports, and how he is able to explain complex medical issues in an easily understandable language, both in his reports and when giving oral evidence.

Should you wish to discuss a potential medico legal instruction or have any other questions please contact Mr Roberts on the private practice and medico legal details below.

Operations Performed • • • • • • • • • •

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery Aortic valve replacement TAVI Aortic root replacement Replacement of the ascending aorta Surgery for aortic dissection Mitral valve surgery Surgery for cardiac tumours eg left atrial myxoma Surgery for atrial fibrillation Closure of the left atrial appendage

Plus many others and combinations of the above

Mr Neil Roberts

Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon NHS practice Barts Heart Centre St Bartholemews Hospital London EC1A 7BE 0203 765 8689 Neil.roberts6@nhs.net Private Practice and Medicolegal 88 Harley Street London W1G 7HR 0207 034 8962 neil@mrneilroberts.com secretary@mrneilroberts.com

www.mrneilroberts.com

usation. Personal Injury – aspects of current condition and prognosis.

Professor Daniel

J M Keenan

Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon BSc(Hons), MB, BCh, FRCS, FEACTS.

Danny Keenan is a Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. He has a vast experience in heart and lung procedures. He has worked in various roles in the health service during his career. He led several important innovations in cardiac surgery, both within his hospital and nationally.

Professor Keenan has the distinction of chairing the first Clinical Reference Group in Cardiac Surgery for NHS England.

His experience encompasses a wide variety of professional activities. He is the Associate Medical Director to the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust dealing with appraisal and revalidation and has experience in dealing with doctors in difficulty. As Medical Director (part-time) to the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership in London, he runs the National Clinical Audit programme. He chairs, for NICE, the Indicator Advisory Committee.

He was seconded from the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust to the Healthcare Commission and the Care Quality Commission, serving as the National Advisor on Hospital Services.

•

Areas of Expertise include: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Cardiothoracic Surgery Cardiac Surgery Cardiothoracic Trauma Thoracic/Chest Trauma Fractured Ribs Flail Chest Heart Disease Heart Valve Surgery Thoracic Aortic Surgery Aneurysm Repair of the Thoracic Aorta Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Ischaemic Heart Disease Left Ventricular Aneurysm Mitral Regurgitation Aortic Stenosis

Memberships: • General Medical Council (Specialist Register 1382637) • Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons • Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland • Fellow, European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinical Forensic and Legal Medicine Section: The Royal Society of Medicine • The Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses

He has been a highly successful Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Manchester Heart Centre, based at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, for over 30 years and was Clinical Director of this large and successful unit in Central Manchester, from 1998 until 2002. He practised the full range of adult cardiac surgery and has been heavily involved in the management of thoracic (chest) trauma, managing closed and open injuries.

He is honorary Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery to the University of Manchester. Professor Keenan has also operated at The Alexandra Hospital Cheshire and carries out medicolegal work at The Beeches Consulting Centre, Manchester and in Central London.

His experience in dealing with medico-legal cases spans his surgical career. He has been involved in this area of activity, working both in the areas of personal injury but also in the areas of malpractice and negligence. He represents both claimants and defendants and has worked for individual practitioners and Trusts and has appeared as an Expert Witness.

With Rooms in Manchester and London, his coverage is National.

Internationally, he works in Singapore.

Please contact: Francesmary Hobbs francesmary.hobbs@icloud.com 07989 582668

Myles James Overton Taylor

Consultant Obstetrican & Gynaecologist BA (Oxon) FRCOG, PhD

Expert witness specialising in: • General Obstetrics • Gynaecology • Fetal Medicine

My particular areas of expertise include general obstetrics, fetal medicine, multiple pregnancy - including twin to twin transfusion syndrome, intrapartum care and general gynaecology.

I have been involved in medico legal work for over 10 years, producing medical reports for around 40 to 50 cases per year, mainly in cases involving clinical negligence.

The majority of my medico legal work is on behalf of claimants although I am willing to perform defence work.

Depending on the complexity of the case, I can usually produce reports within 3 - 6 months of instruction.

Nuffield Health Exeter, Wonford Road, Exeter, EX2 4UG Tel: 07790 070751 Fax: 01392 406605 Email: mylesjotaylor@gmail.com Website: www.mylestaylor.co.uk

Mr Philip Coleridge Smith

DM MA BM FRCS Emeritus Reader in Surgery, UCL Medical School

Areas of expertise • • • • • • •

Peripheral vascular disease Deep vein thrombosis Spider veins Thrombosis Varicose veins Venous insufficiency Venous ulcer

Mr Philip Coleridge Smith is one of London's leading vascular surgeons. Operating at the British Vein Institute he is an expert in the treatment of varicose veins. He lectures at University College London and has been the editor of the medical journals, ‘Phlebology’ and ‘The European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery’. He is currently President of the British Association of Sclerotherapists and is acknowledged as an international authority and expert in venous disease, including the management of vein problems using ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy and other modern methods of vein ablation.

Throughout his career he has treated several thousand patients using injection techniques.

T:0870 609 2389 E:p.coleridgesmith@adsum-healthcare.co.uk W:www.bvi.uk.com W:www.medical-expert-witness.co.uk

The British Vein Institute 24-28 The Broadway, Amersham HP7 0HP

PROFESSOR BRUCE BRAITHWAITE MChir MA MB FRCS FRCS (Gen Surg)

FOUNDER OF VEINCARE, CONSULTANT VASCULAR SURGEON & EXPERT WITNESS

Professor Braithwaite has been a teaching hospital Consultant Vascular and General surgeon since 2000. He has a wide range of expertise in arterial and venous surgery, including endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, and peripheral bypass surgery. He is the Secondary Care Specialist for an NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and was Chairman of a Hospital Clinical Governance Committee. He is a Founding Member and Director of Operations for a National Partnership of Clinicians, Alliance Health Group, for whom he set up the Governance policy.

He has been involved in national and international research projects in vascular disease and has published over 60 peer reviewed articles.

He has a particular interest in varicose veins, deep and superficial venous disease particularly the outcome of deep vein thrombosis. He runs a specialised clinic for patients, receiving referrals from around the UK and has promoted and pioneered some of the latest treatments for the condition.

He is an authority on arterial thrombosis, lower limb ischaemia, varicose vein disease, and the complications of diabetes, including amputations. He has experience in the management of vascular trauma.

He currently prepares over 30 reports per year for clients involved in trauma and medical negligence claims.

He is happy to be involved in either claimant or defendant activity and can see clients in London and the East Midlands.

PROFESSOR BRUCE BRAITHWAITE Please contact

T: 07967 636 769 (Secretary Dawn) T: 0800 170 7470 E: expert@bdb.org.uk

W: www.bdb.org.uk

SIMON FULFORD FRCS (Urol) CONSULTANT UROLOGICAL SURGEON & EXPERT WITNESS When it comes to medical negligence and personal injury claims it is vital for those in the legal sector to seek the independent, unbiased advice from a professional Surgeon. When it comes to court cases for compensation for Spinal Injury, Head Injury, pelvic fracture & Urological medical negligence cases, Simon Fulford FRCS (Urol) has become recognised as a leading provider of Expert Witness Reports in to the consequences of such injuries on bladder, bowel and sexual function for Barristers and Lawyers on both sides of the case, as well as for law enforcement agencies.

Simon qualified as Bachelor of medicine and surgery from London University in 1987 and he trained in general surgery becoming a fellow of the English royal college of surgeons in 1992. He then trained in Urology and gained his FRCS(urol) in 1999. During this training he worked in numerous Urology units around the country and also in the Princess Royal spinal injury centre in Sheffield. he has been a consultant at James Cokk University Hospital, Middlesbrough for the past 18 years and has a wealth of experience in many aspects of Urology as he explained in a recent interview: “I am one of ten consultants in a very busy department of Urology serving a population in the Tees Valley of over a million.

I am also Consultant Urologist to the regional spinal injuries unit based at James Cook University Hospital which provides acute and long term care to patients with spinal cord injury from the whole of the North of England. In addition I also treat NHS and private patients at BMI Woodlands Hospital Darlington and run a busy Medico-legal practice.

My primary interest within Urology is the care of the Neuropathic bladder in patients with spinal cord injuries or neurological disease. I see and manage large numbers of patients with spinal cord injury, Cauda Equina Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and many other neurological conditions

I regularly perform urodynamic investigations on such patients and offer a full range of management options ranging from ongoing surveillance to major urinary tract reconstructive procedures.

In addition I have a major role supporting Urological colleagues assisting with cancer surgery by creating orthotopic neobladders following cystectomy for bladder cancer. I am also regularly involved in pelvic exenterations for gynaecological cancers and caesarean sections in patients with previous Urological surgery or renal transplants. I also manage many urinary tract injuries and fistulae referred from across the North East.

A great deal of Simon’s medico legal work involves patients with Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES). The Cauda Equina is a bundle of nerves that lie within the spinal canal below the termination of the spinal cord from the level of the first or second Lumbar Vertebra to the coccyx. It is vulnerable to injury by compression.

Most commonly this will be caused by a prolapsed inter vertebral disc but can also be the result of spinal fracture, tumours of the spine, congenital or degenerative spinal conditions or complications of procedures such as lumbar puncture or spinal anaesthetic.

For Further Information Please Contact: Simon Fulford Frcs (Urol) 07855312901 Simonfulford@Nhs.net

CES is the combination of low back pain, sciatica, saddle anaesthesia (loss of sensation around the anus and over the buttocks), motor weakness in the leg(s) combined with bladder and bowel disturbance (retention and / or incontinence) and loss of sexual function.

Forming part of the Cauda Equina, the Sacral nerves supply the bladder, bowel, urethral sphincter, anal sphincter and the sexual organs. All of which can be effected by CES. Patients with established CES should be referred to a Urologist with an interest in Neuro Urology to be assessed and helped with their pelvic organ dysfunction.

Unfortunately many cases of CES result in litigation for alleged negligence in relation to diagnosis or treatment.

It is important that in these cases expert opinion from a Urologist with an interest in Neuro Urology in regard to pelvic organ dysfunction is sought in order to ensure appropriate assessment of ongoing disability, treatment and prognosis.

In a similar way spinal cord injury inevitably affects pelvic organ function that requires highly specialised management and is of course highly relevant to a personal injury compensation case.

Pelvic organ function can also be adversely affected by other injuries including pelvic fractures and head injuries and Simon believes that the expert reports ha has prepared in such cases have been important in reaching appropriate settlement.

On his medico legal work, Simon had this to say: “I have been preparing expert witness reports since shortly after appointment and have attended training courses in medico legal report writing. Having appeared in court as an expert witness for both claimant and defendant, as well as receiving joint instructions, I currently receive instructions for approximately ten cases per month.

The cases I have reported on include spinal injury compensation claims, accidental injury compensation claims, head injury compensation claims, along with urological medical negligence cases and criminal injury cases. ”As you would expect from such a dedicated professional, Simon is committed to research and development as a means of introducing new techniques: “I have run audits on several new techniques and procedures which include artificial sphincter insertion, BoTox injection and implantation of Invance and Advance male slings.

These results have been presented at local, national and international meetings and in some cases published.

Within Urology we have recently become aware of a new syndrome called Ketamine Induced Cystitis. This is an exciting research opportunity as understanding it may well improve our understanding and management of other painful bladder syndromes.

I have supervised several clinical research fellows working between York University and JCUH and we are working with other urologists, epidemiologists, public health doctors, drug abuse experts and basic scientists to develop a comprehensive study of these patients.”

ROBYN J.S. WEBBER MD FRCSEd (Urol)

Consultant Urological Surgeon & Expert Witness in Urological Cases Having qualified from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand in 1987, Robyn J.S. Webber emigrated to the UK in 1989, where she undertook further training obtaining the FRCS(Urology) in 1998. She was appointed as a consultant urological surgeon at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride in 2000, and in 2005 Robyn moved to Fife and is now based at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. She also works in the NHS hospitals in Dunfermline and St Andrews. She is currently Clinical Lead for Urology for NHS Fife.

Robyn added: "I have had a particular interest in medical education and training, and during my time at Hairmyres Hospital was Associate Director of Medical Education. Currently I am an examiner the FRCS(Urol) examination, leader of the oral question writing group for the FRCS(Urol) and an assessor for the MRCS examination. I am also a Regional Surgical Advisor for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Having worked for a variety of medical publications in the past 20years, Robyn is able to draw on her expertise in medical journalism and editing in her present position as Deputy Editor of Surgeons News. She is a former editor of Urology News, former editor of SN Global, and a former member of the web editorial team for BJU International.

Throughout her career Robyn has taken an active part in the activities of the Royal Society of Medicine; currently being a Council Member for the RSM Section of Urology.

In acting as a Expert Witness for investigations Robyn is required to give her professional opinion on: All aspects of urological surgery, urological malignancy, delayed diagnosis of urological conditions, urinary incontinence, complications of TVT/TOT mesh surgery, clinical negligence, informed consent and personal injury including genito urinary tract injury, renal and pelvic trauma and erectile dysfunction.

Writing approximately 50 reports as an Expert Witness per year, Robyn is equally well versed in giving evidence in court.

In addition to having undertaken medico-legal work for the past 11 years, Robyn has also been a Clinical Advisor to both the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman, and an independent Clinical Advisor to the NHS.

"Please note that I can only undertake to write a report on the instruction of a solicitor or other competent body," Robyn explained, " If you require a urologist expert report, and think I may be able to help you, please ask your solicitor to contact me."

T: 07915 423924 F: 448701249975 E: robynwebber@nhs.net

CASE STUDY No.1: CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME: A 30 year old woman with a long history of back pain and “sciatica” attends her GP complaining of worsening of pain in her lower back and tingling in her buttocks. Her GP increases her analgesia prescription. Two days later she attends her local Accident and Emergency Department. Her pain has worsening, and she describes feeling numb over her buttocks and inner thighs, and has difficulty in passing urine. She also complains of constipation.

Her constipation is attributed as a side effect of her analgesia, her medication is changed again, and she is discharged. She returns to hospital the following day, in retention of urine. She is catheterized, and has over a litre of urine in her bladder.

Neurological examination reveals loss of sensation over the buttocks and inner thighs, and an emergency MRI scan of her spine is requested.

This demonstrates a large central disc prolapse at L4/L5 and she undergoes an urgent decompression. Post operatively her residual symptoms include numb ‘patches’ over her buttocks, and continuing difficulty with both urination and defecation.

Her symptoms vary, at times she has difficulty in passing urine and may be constipated, on other days she experiences episodes of urinary and fecal incontinence. These symptoms do not improve. She becomes housebound, leading to a loss of her income, and her embarrassment and distress over her bladder and bowel symptoms contribute the breakdown of her long term relationship.

CASE STUDY NO.2: CONSEQUENCES OF A MALE PELVIC FRACTURE A 25 year old man sustained a fractured pelvis following a fall from a motorcycle. He also sustained a partial rupture of his urethra, and has suffered from erectile dysfunction since the time of the accident. Erectile dysfunction occurs due to damage to the nerve and blood supply in the penis following the accident. Although he may have some spontaneous improvement, he is unlikely to regain full erectile function and will require treatment as long as he wishes to remain sexually active.

His urethral trauma places him at risk of subsequently developing a urethral stricture. He developed such a stricture 18 months later, with symptoms of an increasingly poor urinary flow. He undergoes an optical urethrotomy (a procedure performed using a special ‘telescope’ to divide the stricture).

Within months the stricture recurs, and he elects to undergo a urethroplasty, a larger open operation, which is curative, but places him at risk of complications including urinary incontinence, which may be permanent in some patients.

W: www.privatehealth.co.uk/patientadvice/legal-services/

MR. SUDHANSHU CHITALE Consultant Urological Surgeon & Expert Witness

Whether acting on behalf of the plaintiff or defendant, when dealing with cases of medical malpractice the Physician acting as an Expert Witness, is one of the most important figures in malpractice litigation.

Specialising in Urology, Sexual Medicine, Andrology, Uro-oncology, Paediatric Urology, Female Urology, Emergency Urology and Endourology: Consultant Urological Surgeon Mr. Sudhanshu Chitale is able to draw on his considerable academic and practical training, which led to him achieving a Masters in General Surgery (MS), Diploma in Urology, Diplomate National Board : DNB-Urology, Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Urology (FRCS-Urol), Fellowship of the European Board of Urology (FEBU), together with his extensive surgical experience covering a wide range of areas including: Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPH); TURP / Bladder Cancer: TURBT; Diagnostic Cystoscopy; PSA Test and Advice; Cystitis/UTI; Kidney Stones / Ureteric stones: lasertripsy / ureteroscopic extraction, Testicular Lump / Pain, post –vasectomy complications , Genitourinary Trauma; is able to provide an independent, professional service as an Expert Witness.

Depending upon the case in question, Mr. Chitale is also able to utilise his expertise in Andrology when acting as an Expert Witness, covering the following issues: • • • • • • • • •

Male sexual Dysfunction (MSD): Peyronie's Disease Premature Ejaculation / Erectile dysfunction Male Infertility Vasectomy and Vasectomy Reversal Hypogonadism and Testosterone therapy Genital cancers (Testis / Penis), scrotal lumps Prostate / BPH and all prostatic diseases Adult / Paediatric Circumcision As well as offering specialist advice /services in the outpatient / day case / inpatient settings, Mr Chitale remains available for addressing any emergency or worrisome situations / episodes

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Haematuria (Blood in the Urine) Haemospermia (Blood in the Semen) Acute Painful testis Testicular trauma Penile trauma / fracture sustained during intercourse Paraphimosis (Foreskin rolled back and stuck) Finding of worrisome lump in the testis: fear of cancer Finding of a raised / elevated PSA blood test reading on routine check Acute stoppage of urine (Urinary retention) Urinary Tract infections in men and women Blocked / painful kidney due to stone disease Genito-urinary Trauma inc intra-operative urinary tract injuries to the ureter / bladder Catheter related complications / suprapubic cystostomy insertion related complications

Having completed the Bond Solon Course on Medico-Legal Report Writing, Mr. Chitale has been on the Expert Witness Directory since October 2013, and is extremely knowledgeable in writing Medico-Legal Reports, as he explained: “I have also compiled several expert witness reports and overview reports on breach of duty and causation / prognosis both for defendants and claimants.

Mr. Chitale also successfully completed the Expert Witness Course arranged by MPS/BAUS at the RCSE in 2014, as well as having recently undertaken Courtroom Skills training and Cross Examination Training at Bond Solon in January this year.

As part of his continual commitment to research and development, Mr. Chitale has been involved in a number of research projects for which he has been the Principal Investigator (PI).

Having led the first ever Prospective Randomised Controlled double blind Trial of ESWT vs sham therapy for Peyronie’s disease (published in BJU Int. in Dec 2009), Mr. Chitale had the honour to be chosen as a co-investigator for two Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) in Urology and contributed significantly to patient selection and recruitment, as well as help bring the studies to completion.

The following two trials have been published in peer-reviewed journals.

• •

A prospective randomised single blind comparison of ureteric stents composed of firm and soft polymer: (Multi-centre trial: Norwich, Wakefield, Bristol UK) A multi-centre randomised controlled study to compare the impact of different ureteral stent lengths on patients' quality of life using a validated questionnaire: (Multi-centre trial: Norwich, Wakefield, Bristol UK).

Mr. Chitale has also conducted and published outcomes of several Clinical Audits, one of which has had significant impact on current clinical practice; published in the Journal of sexual Medicine (JSM), this Audit highlighted the link / relationship between Lower Urinary tract Symptoms (LUTS) and Erectile Dysfunction (ED).

The high esteem in which Mr. Chitale’s expertise is held within the profession is highlighted by the fact that he holds a post of Honorary Senior Lecturer at the UCL Medical School, London and has been proud recipient of The Top Teacher Award for 2013-14 (by popular student vote when 1100 voted) and Excellence in Medical Education Award in 2015/16.

As you would expect from such a consummate professional Mr. Chitale is a Member of a number of leading organisations including: British Association of Urological Surgeons; British Medical Association; American Urological Association and European Association of Urology.

All of the above signify that Mr. Chitale has all the necessary credentials to offer a highly professional service as an Expert Witness; including the preparation of Medico-Legal Reports and appearing in Court, in negligence cases relating to cases involving his specialist areas of expertise.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Mr Sudhanshu Chitale Private Urology London 116, Harley Street, London W1G 7JL Tel: 07979 143368 Secretary: urologysecretary.sc@gmail.com Email: chitalenorwich@aol.com Website: www.privateurologylondon.co.uk

Mr John H Scurr

Vascular Expert Witness Reports

John Scurr Medico Legal

Mr John H Scurr

Consultant General and Vascular Surgeon Senior Lecturer

Whilst the majority of clinical interventions result in a very satisfactory outcome, a few cases do not. In the majority of cases where a patient is dissatisfied the reason for this dissatisfaction may simply be a failure to understand the procedure or the lack of appropriate advice. Very few people start a medico- legal claim with the sole purpose of obtaining large sums of money.

It has been possible to identify patients with a significant claim and in some cases claims where the patient has suffered a life altering experience.

The first step in conducting a medico-legal case may be to obtain advice from a solicitor. Many solicitors are now experts in this area and will know who to instruct.

We are approached on a regular basis by people who are concerned about the validity of a claim and we are in a position to advise both on the validity of the claim and on the solicitor who can manage the case.

We are in a position to provide a simple case analysis which will identify the merits of the case and point a solicitor in the right direction. More detailed reports can be provided which are suitable for solicitors issuing proceedings.

John Scurr has had considerable experience in the preparation of all forms of reports, both clinical negligence and personal injury. He has appeared in Court on many occasions and many cases have been seen as highly successful. In some instances a successful case may not involve the Court at all but will involve a satisfactory resolution at an early stage.

John Scurr trained as a mediator and has considerable expertise in the preparation of Medico Legal reports both in the field of clinical negligence and personal injury.

MBBS (Hons), BSc (Hons 1st Class) FRCS Lister Hospital Chelsea Bridge Road London SW1W 8RH Unit 509/510 Q House 76 Furze Road Sandyford Dublin 18 Ireland Area of work: United Kingdom & Ireland 020 7259 0692 & 00 353 1 293 7863 annemarie@jhsgroup.ie margaret@medicolegalchambers.ie.

For Medico-Legal issues please contact us initially on +353 1 2937863 and margaret@medicolegalchambers.ie.

John Scurr continues to provide a clinical service. He works closely with Mr Philip Coleridge Smith (another of our Federation members and expert witness) re the management of varicose veins.

Federation of

Forensic & Expert witnesses

Mr Laszlo Papp

MD, PhD, EBSQ-Vasc (2003) Consultant in Vascular Surgery

Areas of Expertise:

My clinical expertise including day-to-day patient care

• operating lists, arterial and venous surgery • Aortic aneurysm surgery • Carotid artery surgery • Vascular access surgery (dialysis) • Under and postgraduate teaching.

Currently based in North Wales with a number of notable achievements, including winning the right to stage the 2013 ESVS annual meeting.

Mr Laszlo Papp

MD, PhD, EBSQ-Vasc (2003) Consultant in Vascular Surgery 01248 384303 pl1963@hotmail.com

w

Mr Pau

BSc(Hons), MBBS, MRCS

Consultant in Vascular He is responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of the vascular practice across the acute hospitals within Barts Health NHS Trust (The Royal London Hospital, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Whipps Cross Hospital, Newham University Hospital). Also Clinical Lead, Vascular Surgery, Barts Health NHS Trust, April 2013 – present and, Clinical Director, North East London AAA Screening Programme, September 2012 - present. He was appointed to a General surgery NTN (LDN/021/023/N) in the NE Thames region in 4/2001.

Mr Flora has undertaken Expert Witness training and is on panel as an expert for The Medico-Legal Experts Practice (TMLEP).

Mr Flora has expertise in the follow

• Open Vascular/Endovascular surgery and hybrid techniques to treat vascular disea • Aortic Aneurysms (Thoracic, infrarenal) • Peripheral aneurysms (Femoral, Popliteal, visceral) • Peripheral arterial disease • Varicose veins • Carotid disease • Thoracic outlet syndrome • Popliteal entrapment syndrome • AV malformations • Sympathectomy: Cardiac and for Hyperhidrosis • Removal of complex neck tumours with ENT or Maxillo-facial surgeons, where carotid reconstru • General/Laparoscopic surgery • Hernia repair • Appendicectomy • Cholecystectomy • Trauma • Barostim Therapy: Performed the first Barostim implant surgery in the UK on two patients at the Ro This is a new treatment for patients with resistant hypertension for whom no current treatm • Cardiac Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy • Google Glass to perform vascular surgery. His team was the first to perform an Open AAA and Car procedures using this technology to further the teaching and training experience • CALM study: Use of Carotid stent to treat resistant hypertension

ul Flora

S, FRCS(GenSurg), MSc

r and General Surgery He aims to provide timely, clear independent reports to the medical profession on the back of 10 years of experience as a consultant surgeon. He fully understands the requirements of instructing solicitors, in particular the restricted timescales for civil litigation, the limitation of expertise, and the absolute need for independent, balanced consideration.

Mr Flora is happy to take instruction from claimant and defendant as well as act as a single joint expert.

He aims to complete the report within 4 weeks of seeing clients Fees and a terms and conditions sheet can be provided on request.

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oyal London Hospital. ment works.

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Memberships: The Royal College of Surgeons of England, Member of International Society of Endovascular Specialists (ISES), Vascular Society, Association of laparoscopic surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland.

The Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses member 2019.

Mr Paul Flora

Consultant in Vascular and General Surgery 116 Harley Street London W1G 7JL Contact: Eli Alfaro Tel: 07340 770730 (Eli Alfaro) Mobile: 07711 670623 Email: paulflora@me.com Alternate Email: thesurgeonslih@gmail.com

Dr Robert Marcus MB, FRCP, FRCPath

Consultant Haematologist Dr Robert Marcus, MA, FRCP, FRCPath is Consultant Haematologist at Kings College Hospital London. He qualified in Medicine from University College Hospital Medical School in London in 1977 and specialised in haematology at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School and the Royal Free Hospital. Prior to joining King’s in 2008, Dr Marcus was Consultant Haematologist in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for 20 years where he established the bone marrow transplant unit and developed a particular interest in lymphoma and related disorders.

Dr Marcus’ research interests include the development of novel therapies for lymphoma, and has been a Chief investigator in a large number of practice changing studies. Recently he has developed further expertise in the management of Cerebral Lymphoma and Lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with HIV and after organ transplantation Dr Marcus was until recently the chairman of the NCRI low-grade lymphoma working party designing new studies in this field and has been examiner for the Royal College of Pathologists.

Dr Robert Marcus Consultant Haematologist

EXPERT WITNESS SUBJECTS COVERED INCLUDE Haematological malignancy.

Leukaemia.

Myeloma.

Hodgkin's disease.

Bone marrow transplantation.

Peripheral blood stem call transplantation.

Stem cell and bone marrow transplantation laboratory and clinical aspect.

He is medical advisor to the Lymphoma Association, and Vice President of Leukaemia Care Dr Marcus has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts and reviews, including national guidelines on follicular, cerebral and post transplant lymphoma He has co-edited 4 books , including new text books on Multiple Myeloma and Lymphoma, published in 2013 by Cambridge University Press Special interests Haematooncology, with a special interest in Lymphoma Hodgkins Disease and other lymphoproliferative disorders of blood and bone marrow

Special interests

Kings College Hospital Department of Haematology Denmark Hill LONDON SE5 9RS

Haemato-oncology, with a special interest in Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease and other lymphoproliferative disorders of blood and bone marrow. He is also helping to establish a joint Haemochromatosis clinic at London Bridge.

020 7009 4271 | 07702 591767 | marcus.re@gmail.com | office@robertmarcusconsultancy.co.uk

Introducing MLAS Our New Members Of The Federation Of Forensic & Expert Witnesses Medical & Legal Admin Services (MLAS) is committed to providing high quality, maximum efficiency and excellent service to our customers.

We pride ourselves on our innovation and willingness to go the extra mile. Our primary focus is to enable our customers to achieve their goals. We do this by improving efficiency and ensuring quality. At MLAS we provide a wide range of administrative services and we are able to tailor these to suit the specific needs of all our customers.

At MLAS we understand the importance of detail with any instruction received and our primary focus is meeting the instructing parties’ expectations as efficiently as possible, ensuring the highest quality of service.

We are the instructing parties first point of contact with new instructions or enquires, we ensure that you are kept up to date throughout the report process, allowing our expert to deal with the case.

How we work for you • • • • • • • • •

We assign two administration professionals to each expert case to ensure optimum service Our administrators have access to the expert’s diary to book in urgent appointments We will chase any document or information you require We manage the expert’s administration, calendar schedules and logistics, so we are best placed to give you the information you require instantly We will update you regularly as to what stage the report process is at We will notify you if there are any additional documents required or missing Our administrators are always available by telephone or email We do not charge you for our services, our contractual relationship is with our experts There are no hidden costs!

Contact us now for more information or to speak with one of our dedicated team.

0114 245 5423 enquiries@mlas.co.uk www.mlas.co.uk

Our Experts are amongst the most accomplished medical professionals in the UK PAIN MANAGEMENT Dr Mark Alexander-Williams, Consultant Anaesthetist Specialising in Pain Medicine Dr Alexander-Williams r is happy to write medico legal reports for Claimants, Defendants or joint Alexander-Williams has been instructions. Dr Alexande carrying out this work for five years and up until ecently fitted this work around a recently a busy clinical workload, this work is now performed in pre-booked sessions.

Dr Neal Edwards, ds, Medico Legal Expert in Musculoskeletal Disease, Pain Management and Anaesthesia Dr Edwards ds has been preparing Medical Reports specialising in Musculoskeletal Conditions and Pain Management since January 2000 and cur currently prepares an average of 40 reports per month. Dr Edwards attends court if and when Edwa equi required.

Dr Edwards has also been involved with Medical Negligence cases in both Pain Management and Anaesthesia.

Dr Dimitriy Leschinskiy, Leschinski Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia Dr Leschinskiy is a full time Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia. His special interests e musculoskeletal and are post-traumatic pain and neuropathic pain conditions. He is particularly interested in issues estoration in pain patients and the of functional restoration role of opioids in non-malignant pain.

Dr Mark Miller, r Consultant in Pain Management, Medico Legal Practitioner Dr Miller has been writing medico legal reports eports in pain management since 2000. He writes on average 30 per month. Dr Miller has extensive experience in both claimant and defendant work and has done a large number of joint reports. eports. He has experience in clinical negligence work.

NURSING/MIDWIFERY Ms Lynda ynda Lee, Medico legal Expert in Nursing and Ca Care Ms L Lynda ynda Lee can act as an expert witness, including the preparation reparation of care ca needs reports eports and appearing in court, in all cases relating elating to nursing care. ca Her reports care eports for palliative ca include those suffering with mesothelioma, cancer and other terminal conditions. As well as quantum reports, eports, she accepts instructions to produce reports on liability,, medical negligence and loss of services and also undertakes ofessionals allied to assessments alongside professionals medicine to produce oduce a multi-professional report.

Her reports are e split 50:50 between claimant and defendant in both liability and quantum cases.

Ms Lee has gained accredited Expert Witness ough Cardiff f University/Bond Solon. status through

Our Experts are amongst the most accomplished medical professionals in the UK UROGYNAECOLOGY/OBSTETRICS

NEUROSURGERY/SPINAL SURGERY

Dr Wael Agur, Urogynaecologist Dr Agur’s interest is in clinical negligence and product liability case work in relation to transvaginal implants (mesh and graft) for incontinence and prolapse. He also provides clinical negligence reports in general obstetrics and gynaecology.

Dr Agur attended and gave evidence at court proceedings in Australia as one of the world-renowned experts and has recently appeared on the BBC Panorama programme focusing on transvaginal mesh implants.

Mr Debapriya Bhattacharyya, Consultant in Neurosurgery and Spinal Surgery Mr Bhattacharyya has been preparing Medical Reports as an expert in neurosurgery since 2007. Mr Bhattacharyya specialises in medical negligence, personal injury and compensation cases in general neurosurgery and cases related to his areas of special interest.

Mr Mohamed Riad Consultant Urogynaecologist Mr Mohamed Riad is a Consultant Urogynaecologist as well as a General Gynaecologist. Mr Riad is the RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) College Tutor at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust providing oversight to training of doctors aspiring to become specialists in the field. In addition, he is accredited to provide training to doctors wishing to do the advanced training skill module in Urogynaecology. Mr Riad has experience in writing medico legal reports on transvaginal implants (mesh and graft) for incontinence and prolapse. He also provides clinical negligence reports in general obstetrics and gynaecology.

Mr Henry Budd, Spinal Surgery Mr Budd is a full time Consultant Spinal Surgeon with Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. He is particularly interested in the degenerative spine including cervical, thoracic and lumbarsacral pathology.

He is on the Specialist Register for Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery.

Mr Mark Prempeh, Spinal Surgeon Mr Prempeh is a Consultant Spinal Surgeon with Ipswich NHS Trust and Mid Essex Hospital Trust. His special interest includes degenerative spine disease, anterior lumbar surgery, spinal infections and minimal invasive (keyhole) surgery. Mr Prempeh is on the Specialist Register for Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery.

MEDICAL & LEGAL ADMIN SERVICES OUR ETHOS

Perfection is our goal. We offer an excellent service, employ high quality professionals with the correct attitude and experience to ensure we excel in the work that we do for the expert. Our culture is one of honesty, support and respect.

We live our culture and we encourage our experts to become part of that way of life too.

At MLAS we pride ourselves on providing the most efficient service to our experts. We appreciate that all our experts have varied working schedules and commitments. Our administrators cater to this when they work for you, and to ensure your administration work is completed to the highest standard.

Our primary focus for you as a medico legal expert is: 1. To maximise the efficiency of your practice 2. Grow or consolidate your business in line with your needs Maximise Efficiency

Business Growth And Consolidation

We will manage all of your communication and administration

Promote you to established legal representatives when cases arise

You will have two administrators assigned to you

Continuously raise and improve your profile in the legal sector

We will manage your diary and logistics to save you time

We will promote you on our website

We will transcribe your dictation and proof read your documents on request

You will have an active Business Relationship Manager promoting your fields of expertise

At MLAS we have a strong working relationship with our experts, this includes trust and working to the highest level to get the best results for all parties.

If you require any information, please contact our office on the details below to discuss further.

Contact us now for more information: enquiries@mlas.co.uk 0114 2455423 @MedLegAdmin https://www.linkedin.com/company/mlas/

www.mlas.co.uk

MLAS SERVICES FOR EXPERTS

We offer an excellent and comprehensive service covering all aspects of administration from external communication and logistics through to finance management.

COMMUNICATION • • • • • •

Manage all enquiries and instructions from Insurance Companies and Solicitors Be main point of contact between solicitor and expert Resolve administrative enquiries and prepare written responses Answer, screen and transfer all inbound phone calls Supplementary report management Liaise with appropriate customers to organise and facilitate joint discussions

LOGISTICS • • • • • • •

Agree expert’s terms of engagement and confirm fees Manage expert’s diaries Confirm appointments in writing with customer and clients Organise suitable travel and/or accommodation for experts to examine clients where necessary Monitor medical records and ensure these are available to the expert prior to meeting with the client Minimise/manage DNA’s through efficient organisational processes Co-ordinate conferences with counsel and attendance in court

ADMINISTRATION • • • • • • • •

Typing up of medical reports provided in the form of dictation Proof read medical reports before onward distribution Maintain and secure correspondence, records and documents relating to the clients Carrying out general clerical duties to include filing, typing and photocopying Maintain internal computer records and filing systems Make sure all reports are prepared and submitted in a timely manner to meet customer deadlines Paperless office available through specialist scanning service Dedicated and secure electronic storage of all medical records

FINANCE • • • • • •

Raising invoices using an agreed finance package Chasing payments and providing statements Maintaining detailed record of payments Regular updates from our finance team Regular upkeep and monitoring of management accounts Regular liaison with experts’ accountants updating VAT and income

MARKETING & PROMOTIONS • • • •

Marketing at the Bond Solon annual conference and other national events Feature on our Website Continuously raise experts’ profile in the legal sector Dedicated Business Relationship Manager, marketing and promoting expert

Our Experts Mr Martin Knight Consultant Endoscopic Spine Surgeon

We are delighted to announce that Medical and Legal Administration Services (MLAS) have partnered with Mr Martin Knight Consultant Endoscopic Spine Surgeon and Medico Legal Expert in Spinal and Referred Pain to deliver his logistical support.

Mr Knight trained in London and is an internationally acknowledged leader in Endoscopic Aware State Minimal Invasive Lumbar Spine Surgery (EMISS).

Mr Knight has experience with Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence claims for both Defendant and Claimant with the focus on unbiased assessment for the court. He has unique experience of aware state endoscopic surgery which serves to define the real-time source of spinal pain.

Mr Knight will be able to offer Claimant’s an appointment within 2-4 weeks of instruction with an expected turnaround time for completed reports within 4-6 weeks. Reports can be completed within a shorter time frame dependent on urgency.

Experts: To work with MLAS contact our Business Relationship Manager Andrew Kwame: Telephone:07562 717854 Email: To giveAndrewOsei-Kwame@mlas.co.uk instruction please contact:

Please add Mr Knight’s details to your expert database and contact MLAS using the details below for any work you may wish him to undertake.

Medico Legal Expert in Spinal and Referred pain

Telephone: 0114 2455423 Solicitors/Insurers: Email: enquiries@mlas.co.uk To give instruction please contact: Or visit www.mlas.co.uk.

Telephone: 0114 2455423

Mr Knight is able to see clients in: Harley Street Medical Centre (UME) 27 Harley Street London

Our Experts Mr Mark Prempeh Consultant Spinal Surgeon

We are delighted to announce that Medical and Legal Administration Services (MLAS) have partnered with Mr Mark Prempeh a Medico Legal Expert in Spinal Surgery, to deliver his logistical support.

Mr Mark Prempeh is a Consultant Spinal Surgeon with Ipswich NHS Trust and Mid Essex Hospital Trust. His special interest includes degenerative spine disease, anterior lumbar surgery, spinal infections and minimal invasive (keyhole) surgery. He is fully registered with the General Medical Council and on the Specialist Register for Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery.

Mr Prempeh will be able to offer Claimant’s an appointment within 2 to 4 weeks of instruction with an expected turnaround time for completed reports within 4-6 weeks.

Reports can be completed within a shorter time frame dependent on urgency.

Please add Mr Prempeh’s details to your expert database and contact MLAS using the details below for any work you may wish him to undertake.

Experts: To work with MLAS contact our Business Relationship Manager Andrew Kwame: Telephone:07562 717854 Mr Prempeh Email: AndrewOsei-Kwame@mlas.co.uk

Medico Legal Expert in Spinal and Referred Pain is able to see clients in: • Cambridge • Peterborough • Chelmsford • Ipswich • Kings Lynn

Solicitors/Insurers: To give Should instruction you please require contact: any further information or are interested in instructing Mr Prempeh Telephone: 0114 2455423 please do not hesitate to contact Paula at: Email: enquiries@mlas.co.uk

paulajames@mlas.co.uk, telephone – 0114 2455423 or visit www.mlas.co.uk

Our Experts Dr Andrew Logan Pain Management Expert

We would like to make you aware that MLAS are now partnering with medico legal expert Dr Andrew Logan, a Pain Management Expert and he is available to take instruction.

Dr Logan’s specialist medico legal areas are: • All aspects of adult pain relief

Dr Andrew Logan is a Consultant in Pain Management with a specific interest in all aspects of adult pain relief and/or rehabilitation from painful conditions. Dr Logan covers a population of approximately 350,000 in the NHS and also engages in private practice and medico legal work at the Grosvenor Nuffield Hospital. Dr Logan has been engaged in medico legal work related to pain management since 1996 and has developed a specialist interest in this over the past 5 years. Dr Logan has written many reports usually for claimant’s in personal injury cases but has more recently been involved with defendant related cases particularly in clinical negligence as well as personal injury.

Dr Logan can offer Claimant’s an appointment within 2 to 4 weeks of instruction with an expected turnaround time for completed reports within 4 -6 weeks. Reports can be completed within a shorter time frame dependent on urgency.

Experts: Please add Dr Logan’s details to your expert database and contact MLAS To work with MLAS our below for any work you may wish him to undertake. using contact the details Business Relationship Manager Andrew Kwame: Telephone:07562 717854 Email: AndrewOsei-Kwame@mlas.co.uk

Medico Legal Expert in Spinal and Referred Pain Dr Logan conducts appointments in:

Solicitors/Insurers: • Chester • contact: Cheshire • The Wirral • Liverpool • London To give instruction please Telephone: 0114 2455423 Should you require any further information or are interested in instructing Dr Logan Email: enquiries@mlas.co.uk please do not hesitate to contact Paula at:

paulajames@mlas.co.uk, telephone – 0114 2455423 or visit www.mlas.co.uk

Medical & Legal Admin Services • Medical & Legal Admin Services (MLAS) is committed to providing high quality, maximum efficiency and the best medico legal expertise to both claimant and defendant solicitors.

• We deliver the logistical support for some of the most accomplished medical experts in the UK. • We ensure that reports are of the highest quality and deadlines are always met.

• If you are a solicitor or insurer and need to secure the services of a medico legal expert look no further.

• We provide expertise in a variety of case types including but not restricted to; Persistent Pain, Spinal Injury, Oncology, Obstetric Emergencies, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics and Neurodegenerative Conditions.

Services for Experts - We offer an excellent and comprehensive logistics service, that includes managing all communications, travel and diary meetings, administration, finance, marketing and promotion.

Contact us to consolidate or grow your Medico Legal practice.

Become a Mentor – We will work with Medico legal experts with a mature practice who can help to develop the next generation of medico legal experts, whilst still growing their own practice and increasing their own revenue.

Email: enquiries@mlas.co.uk Telephone: 0114 2455423 Twitter:@MedLegAdmin Web: www.linkedin.com/company/mlas - Medical & Legal Admin Services: Registered address: Haywood House, Hydra Business Park, Nether Lane, Sheffield, S35 9ZX.

Experts: To work with MLAS contact our Business Relationship Manager Andrew Kwame: Telephone:07562 717854 Email: AndrewOsei-Kwame@mlas.co.uk Solicitors/Insurers: To give instruction please contact: Telephone: 0114 2455423 Email: enquiries@mlas.co.uk

ive e ec py r to y co e er terl h r ick Qua l C se free a e pl our

Mr Fortune Iwuagwu

Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgeon.

On finishing his basic surgical training, Mr Iwuagwu embarked on training in all aspects of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery in various internationally recognised units in the country including Billericay (now Chelmsford), Manchester, Nottingham and Bristol.

He furthered his training in his chosen subspecialty (Hand Surgery) as the British Society of Surgery of the Hand Fellow in the highly reputable Hand Unit in Chelmsford.

He later undertook a Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship in the world recognised Kleinert and Kutz Hand Surgery Centre, Louisville , Kentucky USA where he trained under Dr Harold Kleinert recognised as one of the fathers and pioneers of modern hand surgery.

Mr Iwuagwu was appointed a Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgeon at the St Andrews Centre for Plastic Surgery and Burns, Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford and the Whipps Cross University Hospital, London in 2002. St Andrew’s centre is the regional centre for plastic surgery and has one of the busiest hand trauma units in the country dealing with all aspect of hand trauma and post trauma sequelae.

His main interests are: * Hand trauma * Post hand trauma reconstruction * Breast reconstruction and scars

Special Medicolegal Interests: * * * * *

Scars Burn scars Hand injuries Soft tissue reconstruction Cosmetic surgery

He also performs a significant amount of general plastic surgery.

Qualifications MBBS University of Nigeria 1986 MSc University College London 1996 FRCS Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 1993 FRCS Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow 1993 FRCS (Plast Surgery) Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 2000

Medico-legal Experience: Mr Iwuagwu has been preparing medico-legal reports for medico-legal agencies and solicitors for more than 14 years. He prepares approximately 100 medical reports a year. The distribution is approximately claimant (80%) to defendant (20%). From instruction to completion of report is approximately three weeks if the client and medical records are available for examination/review.

Mr Iwuagwu has undertaken specialist expert witness training.

Mr Iwuagwu has attended the Bond Solon course - Excellence in Report writing Written Evidence in June 2011 and, the Premex annual Clinical Negligence seminar in June 2016.

Essex, London and Nationwide

Membership * * * * * *

British Society for Surgery of the Hand, British Association of Plastic,Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, Expert Witness Institute, Society of Expert witnesses, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), The Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses

Please contact Lisa for further information T: 01277 219752 | M: 07508 824858 | F:01277 219752 Email: austingracesuk@aol.com | Website: www.austingraces.com

Mr Richard Matthews MBBS(London) FRCS(Eng) FRCS(Edin) MAE Expert Witness in Burns and Reconstructive Plastic and Hand Surgery

Mr Richard Matthews is a highly experienced Expert Witness in Burns and Reconstructive Plastic and Hand Surgery. In 2019 he received the Federation of Forensic & Expert Witnesses Award for Consultant Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Witness Services for a lifetime of commitment in this field, to both his patients and to the expert witness industry.

After qualifying as a Doctor at St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in London, Mr Matthews trained widely in General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Urology and Paediatric Surgery before commencing his career in Plastic Surgery. This included two years as Burns Research Fellow at the renowned Queen Victoria Hospital and Blond-McIndoe Research Centre at East Grinstead.

In 1985 he was European Travelling Scholar of The British Association of Plastic Surgeons and was appointed Consultant Plastic Surgeon in the National Health Service for Coventry & Warwickshire in 1986.

From 1986-2006, when, as Head of the Unit, he effected its transfer to the new University Hospital of Coventry & Warwickshire, he radically modernised and expanded the Plastic Surgery Unit, introducing cutting-edge techniques, including sophisticated microsurgery, and improving the service for a wide range of congenital and acquired conditions. He also drove up standards in the management of a wide range of trauma, including acute soft tissue injuries to the Hand, the Face and Upper and Lower Limbs.

He was the first Chair of the Arden Skin Cancer Site Specific Group of the Arden Cancer Network and has served, in turn, as West Midlands Regional Chair for Burns & Plastic Surgery, Regional Specialty Advisor to the Royal College of Surgeons and both Clinical and Medical Director within the NHS. Mr Matthews has over 30 years’ experience as an Expert Witness in his specialist field, preparing on average 60 Personal Injury Medical Reports a year, 65% instructed by the Claimant’s solicitor, 30% by the Defendant’s solicitor and 5% as a Single Joint Expert.

Mr Matthews keeps up to date by attending (remotely through the pandemic) Professional Association Meetings and other CPD events/webinars, as well as reading relevant Journals, and the ‘Your Witness’ newsletter of the UK Register of Expert Witnesses and online articles. His election to The Academy of Experts recognised his wealth of experience and expertise.

Outside of work Mr Matthews paints, ‘makes things’ and plays tennis and golf. He is a keen skier and, since vaccines became available, has become a committed volunteer vaccinator

You can instruct Mr Matthews by contacting Sally Bates: The Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital Old Milverton Lane, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6RW Tel.: 01926 436341 : Fax: 01926 422659 Sally.Bates@nuffieldhealth.com : www.richardmatthewsmedicolegal.uk

Member of the Academy of Experts and founder Member and former President of the Warwickshire Medicolegal Society, Mr Matthews has great experience in preparing comprehensive Medical Reports for Clients who have suffered Personal Injury within his fields of expertise (see below).

Personal Injury Issues associated with Hand and Upper Limb:

Soft tissue injuries Skin loss and scarring Cut tendons, cut nerves Partial or total loss of finger(s) &/or thumb Sensory change or loss Loss of movement &/or power

Face:

Soft tissue injuries Skin loss and scarring Altered/lost feeling &/or movement

Trunk and Lower Limbs/Legs:

Professional Memberships, Fellowships & Registrations The Academy of Experts UK Register of Expert Witnesses The Federation of Forensic & Expert Witnesses British Association of Plastic, & Aesthetic Surgeons

Soft tissue injuries Skin loss and scarring Cut tendons, cut nerves Partial or total loss of toe(s) Sensory change or loss

British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH)

Burns, Scalds & Thermal Injuries

British Burn Association (BBA)

Scarring

Royal College of Surgeons of England

Repair:

Skin Grafts, Flaps, Tissue Expansion

(BAPRAS)

Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh General Medical Council (GMC) Specialty Register for Plastic Surgery Professional Indemnity: Incision Indemnity

Mr Brent Tanner has worked as a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon since 1984. First and foremost his work has been at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead where he was Director of the McIndoe Burns Unit. For the last ten years he has solely devoted his time to cosmetic surgery.

Instructions undertaken on behalf of either claimant or defendent or as a single joint expert in cases relating to plastic and reconstructive surgery, including burns and scars and cosmetic surgery.

2019

Federation of Federation of

Expert witnesses sic Forensic & Expert&witnesses 01892 740044 | brenttanner@brenttanner.co.uk | www.brenttanner.co.uk

Dr Michael Bone

BSc (Hons) MB DCH FRCP

Consultant Physician

Dr Michael Bone has been a Consultant Physician (General Internal, Respiratory and Clinical Allergy) for over 30 years and still provides supervision of acute unselected medical intake at one of England's consistently top performing NHS Trust Hospitals.

Over the years he has acted as clinical lead in asthma and COPD, lung cancer, tuberculosis and interstitial lung diseases and critical care medicine. He ran a pleural diseases service, initiating medical thoracoscopy in 1985 and inaugurated a joint rheumatological lung clinic in the early 1990's. With early training in paediatrics and immunology, he ran a joint allergy and asthma service for 16 years and remains an active member of the northern paediatric allergy group.

Dr Bone has been engaged in medico-legal assessments and reporting since 1982.

He has had extensive experience with occupational asthma and hypersensitivity reactions, such as farmers lung and industrial dust diseases, from his time at the MRC pneumoconiosis unit in South Wales and later in the Midlands. Over the last 18 years in the North East he has acquired extensive experience with asbestos related lung diseases.

Tel: 07545 587004 Email: rhonda_bone@hotmail.com Dr Michael Bone, M B Consulting Ltd, Spire Hospital, Picktree Lane, Washington, Tyne & Wear NE38 9JZ

Hand & Wrist Surgery by Stephen Lips

Stephen is an Orthopaedic Upper Limb Surgeon with a specialist interest in hand and wrist surgery, training and working within the Mersey deanery having merited an honours degree at Liverpool Medical School.

The majority of his orthopaedic surgical experience involves upper limb surgery, having finalised his training with one of the few nationally recognised advanced training post fellowships in hand/wrist surgery and successfully completing the British diploma in hand surgery.

His surgical practice includes traumatic injuries to the upper limb and elective hand/wrist surgery including nerve disorders.

Mr Stephen Lipscombe | BSc, MBChB, FRCS, DipH 01925 598217 | stephen.lipscombe@consultantcare

scombe

HS | Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon e.com | www.privatehandsurgeon.co.uk

Mr Martin Heaton BMedSci, BM BS, MD, FRCS, FRCS (Plast)

Consultant in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Mr Martin Heaton, MD FRCS, FRCS(PLAST), Consultant Plastic Surgeon. Mr Heaton undertakes the full range of expert advice from second opinions to formal medicolegal reports including Medical Negligence, Personal Injury and Causation and Prognosis Reports.

Mr Heaton has been instructed by both claimant and defendant solicitors, is a recognised expert witness for the General Medical Council and provides opinions and reports for the Welsh, Scottish and English Public Health Service Ombudsmen.

Mr Heaton is able to offer opinions on General Plastic Surgery, including scars, outcomes following repair, acute hand surgery and trauma etc as well as in his specialist fields of skin cancer, reconstruction and head and neck surgery.

With nine years’ experience as a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Mr Heaton has a wealth of experience when dealing with contentious matters.

Having graduated from The University of Nottingham Medical School in 1992, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1996 and subsequently obtained a doctorate (MD) from the University of Sheffield for research into reconstructed skin.

Mr Heaton passed the Intercollegiate Specialty Board examination in 2006 and was added to the GMC specialist register in the specialty of plastic surgery in 2008. A consultant appointment at the Leicester Royal Infirmary followed in January 2009 with a specialist interest in breast reconstruction.

Since July 2010 Mr Heaton has been a consultant plastic surgeon at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation NHS Trust.

• Areas of expertise: • Assessment and management of scars and complex wounds.

• Reconstruction of post-traumatic and post treatment tissue defects of all parts of the body using the full range of plastic surgery techniques including microsurgery.

• Management of head and neck and skin cancer.

Scope of Practice:

Mr Heaton works entirely within the NHS. He has considerable experience of head, neck and skin cancer, reconstruction of posttraumatic and post-treatment defects of all parts of the body using the full range of plastic surgery techniques including microsurgery.

Mr Heaton is able to advise on those aspects of aesthetic surgery that until recently were available on the NHS. This includes breast augmentation, breast reduction, abdominoplasty, liposuction and fat transfer.

Presentations:

I have presented, chaired sessions and been invited faculty at a variety of plastic surgery, head and neck and skin cancer meetings.

Expert Witness Experience:

Mr Heaton has attended the Bond Solon ‘Excellence in Report Writing, course. Mr Heaton has prepared Personal Injury and Causation and Prognosis Reports for both claimant and defence solicitors. Mr Heaton is an approved expert witness for the General Medical Council (4 – 5 expert witness reports per annum) and regularly prepares reports for the Scottish Public Health Service Ombudsman and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (10 – 15 cases per annum).

Mr Heaton is a member of the National Expert Witness Association and The Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses.

Contact Details 01603 288543 07946 486857 mjheaton@doctors.org.uk martin.heaton@nnuh.nhs.uk Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Dept of Plastic Surgery Colney Lane NORWICH

Mr Mike Perry FRCS, FDSRCS, FRCS(OMFS), BSc

Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon & Facial Plastic Surgeon

(London)

Mr Perry is a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who is on the GMC Specialist list in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and registered with both the GMC and GDC. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Previously listed in The Times Magazine as one of the country’s 50 top surgeons.

Mr Perry has extensive experience in the management of diseases of the face, jaws and mouth, (Oral and Maxillofacial surgery and Oral surgery). He is qualified in both medicine and dentistry and trained as a surgeon before specialising in surgery of the head and neck. He has particular expertise in the management of craniofacial trauma, facial deformity and skin cancer and is the clinical lead in facial trauma at both the Regional Maxillofacial unit and Major Trauma Centre, serving the North west of London.

He also sees and treats diseases of the mouth, temporomandibular joint, salivary glands and teeth. He is an enthusiastic teacher and has taken on various educational roles over the years (nationally and internationally), including the conception and design of several trauma related course, some one of which have been held at the Royal College of Surgeons and Royal Society of Medicine. He has published extensively in this field, including several text books.

MEDICOLEGAL PRACTICE

Mr Perry has considerable experience in both clinical negligence and personal injuries and regularly provides reports for several large national law firms.

Clinical negligence

These include:

(both for Claimant and Defendant)

Personal injury reports

(Injuries to the face, nose, jaws, teeth, orbits and jaw joints, including facial lacerations).

All reports are detailed, comprehensive and non biased, and can address specific issues if requested.

Rapid turn around (often within 3-5 days once all information received). Also available to provide desk top reviews and formal / informal preliminary analysis of any potential claims (non disclosure reports or telephone discussion). Will consider pro bono analysis of simple (quick) cases.

Mr Perry specialises in the following areas: Facial injuries Post traumatic craniofacial deformity ( Fracture and scars) Serious infections to the teeth and supporting bones Skin cancer /Oral disease

Reports available

Personal injuries to the face and teeth Clinical negligence (claimant or defendant ) Missed diagnosis Failure to treat Consent issues Breach of duty / causation / condition and prognosis Desktop / Claimant examination reports Very quick turnaround Northwick Park Hospital Department of Maxillofacial Surgery Watford Road London HA1 3UJ

020 8869 3141 020 8235 4282 michaelperry@nhs.net www.facialsurgery.center

Dr Anjani Prasad BSc (Hons), MBChB, FRCP

Consultant Respiratory & General Physician

Expert Witness in Respiratory Diseases

Areas include:

• • • • • • • •

Respiratory diseases.

Asthma and occupational asthma.

COPD. Asbestos related lung disease.

Road traffic related breathing problems.

Lung functions including spirometry.

Interstitial lung disease.

Pulmonary embolism.

For further information please contact Dr Anjani Prasad

0330 053 8151 admin@liberatehealthcare.co.uk. www.liberatehealthcare.co.uk

Allan R Thom

LLM (Medical Law), BDS, FDS (Eng & Edin), D'Orth, M'Orth (Eng), MFGDP, MEWI.

Consultant Orthodontist

• Dental negligence • Orthodontic negligence • Personal injury • Dental trauma • Cleft lip & palate Allan Thom was an accredited teacher at the University of London and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Guy's Hospital. He is experienced in all aspects of orthodontic treatment, orthodontic surgery, cleft lip and palate, facial deformity and dental trauma.

Allan has lectured and taught internationally.

He has co-authored and edited orthodontic books.

He is the President of the World Federation of Orthodontists and a past President of both the British Orthodontic Society and the European Federation of Orthodontists.

Disclosure and Barring Service checked for minors Allan Thom is trained in report writing and cross examination. LLM (Medical Law and Ethics).

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T: 01892 528915 | M: 07808 596119 | E: arthom@hotmail.co.uk

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Mr Imran Liaquat MBChB, BSc, MedSci, FRCSEd (Neuro.Surg) Med

Consultant Neurosurgeon I have been a Consultant Neurosurgeon for 5 years and have a long established track record in head injury/ traumatic brain injury management and research. Roughly 50% of my workload is with management of spinal problems such as back pain, neck pain, sciatica and arm pain (brachalgia).

In addition, I am the clinical lead for adult neuro-oncology/brain tumours and the National Lead for the Scottish Neuro-oncology Network. I am an active member of the Scottish Adult Brain Injury Network (SABIN) and responsible for reconfiguring the rehabilitation of mild to moderate head injury patients.

Areas include: • Head injury and neurotrauma.

• Back and neck injury.

• Sciatica and radiculopathy.

• Leg pain and arm pain.

• Spinal injury.

• Spinal injuries.

• Neuro-oncology and brain tumours.

• Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES).

• General neurosurgery.

07812 010633 07380 273655 (PA) imranliaquat@nhs.net www.scottishneurosurgeons.co.uk

Spire Murrayfield Hospital Contact Address: 122 Corstorphine Road EDINBURGH

Dr Russell Keenan MB ChB, PhD, MRCP, MRCPath

MB ChB, PhD, MRCP, MRCPath

Consultant Paediatric Haematologist A Consultant Paediatric Haematologist with over twenty years experience, Dr Russell Keenan can act as an expert witness, including the preparation of medicolegal reports and appearing in court, in child protection cases, clinical negligence cases and relating to all aspects of paediatric haematology.

His specialist areas of expertise include: • Haemophilias and other bleeding disorders.

• Thrombophilias.

• Haemoglobinopathies.

• Thalassaemias.

• Sickle cell disease.

• Benign haematological disease.

• Malignant haematology.

• Leukaemia.

• Transfusion medicine.

Dr Keenan's reports have covered cases of medical negligence relating to paediatric haematology and child protection in relation to the presence or absence of a bleeding disorder.

He has experience of working with barristers and being cross examined in court. He keeps his reports relatively short, focused on the legal instructions, with all scientific and medical language and the basis of any opinions explained and referenced as required.

Dr Keenan can take instructions on behalf of either claimant or defendant.

Alder Hey Children's Hospital | Eaton Road | West Derby | Liverpool | L12 2AP 07753 807611 | russelldavidkeenan@gmail.com

2019 winner T Specialist Training p AWARD FOR Total Train Ltd

Award for Specialist Training provider of the year 2019-2020 It gives us great pleasure to announce that the Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses has announced this years Independent Awards and has profiled one of its members and her training company Total Train for their outstanding work with in their chosen specialty in this case Joanne Caffrey a dedicated training expert witness based in Cumbria but covering the whole of the UK Total Train provides expert witness work and is supported via the specialist training to try to develop organisations to prevent the legal cases occurring.

Their multi disciplinary team combines the legal, therapeutic and medical models to deliver a holistic approach suitable for police, prison, security, mental health, education and all care sectors.

This is for the hard work and development of services given to the field of training and prevention methods provided to their clients and to the training and expert witness industry.

The Awards are independent to the Federation and are designed to raise the profile and highlight in our opinion the best experts in their given fields of expertise .

The Federation hope to bring this to the attention of the lawyers and barristers that follow them on linked in and who visit their site and read their E-mag that can be viewed at https://www.forensicandexpertwitness.co.uk

You can Instruct Joanne and Total Train now:

Joanne with her award

TotalTrain Helm Bar, Melmerby, Penrith, CA101HF 07528 800 720 joanne_caffrey@sky.com www.totaltrain.co.uk

Forensic & Expert witnesses

Federation of

Award

Federation of

2019

Total Train ltd provider of the year.

The Award winning training includes: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Managing Challenging Behaviour Minimising Use Of Force Physical Intervention & Restraint Safe Use Of Restraint Equipment Safe Use Of Isolation And 'Calming' Rooms Person Centred Behaviour Management Plans Stop, Search And Confiscate Managing Ligature Risks - Preventing Death By Hanging Mental Health First Aid Managing Suicide And Self Harm Safer Custody Tactical Communications Safer Management And Administration Of Medication Personal And Intimate Care Sensory Integration Restraint Specific First Aid And Medical Emergencies Working With Aces (Adverse Childhood Experiences)

• Safeguarding Joanne Caffrey and Total Train are happy to assist with any of the above.

Along with her awards for: 2018 winner Forensic & Expert Witness Award Outstanding Legal Services to Safer Custody 2019 winner Total Train ltd Specialist Training provider of the year.

Joanne was awarded the 2012 British Excellence Award from the British Association of Women in Policing.

This was heavily biased by her design and delivery of the initial Safer Detention and Handling of Persons in Custody programme.

Award winning training, consultancy and expert witness service.

Joanne Caffrey is available to speak at your conference

Please contact Joanne for further information: 07528 800 720 joanne_caffrey@sky.com www.joannecaffreyexpert. com Or totaltrain@sky.com www.totaltrain.co.uk Helm Bar Melmerby Penrith CA10 1HF

Safeguarding vulnerable people through health, safety and care.

Dr Alfred White MD MBBS LRCP MRCS DPM FRCPsych Consultant Psychiatrist r Alfred White has over 35 years' experience acting as an expert witness including extensive court experience. He undertakes approximately 200 cases per year, taking instructions on behalf of both claimant and defendant and as a Single Joint Expert.

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Dr White prepares reports on most aspects of psychiatry (excluding learning disability and child psychiatry) but specialises in:

• Trauma (personal injury) • Medical Negligence • Employment issues • Brain injury • Medically unexplained symptoms • Liaison Psychiatry (Hospital Conditions) His interest in trauma began with a research project in burns and other accidents (MD 1981) followed by research on the Birmingham pub bombings. His wide ranging experience also includes eating disorders, brain injury rehabilitation and liaison psychiatry.

Dr White is an examiner for the royal college of psychiatrists.

Dr Alfred White MD MBBS LRCP MRCS DPM FRCPsych Consultant Psychiatrist 17 Portland Road Edgbaston B16 9HN T: 0121 454 2217 07985 882 603 F: 0121 454 2217

Dr. George Stein

DCH M.Phil MRCP FRCPsych

Consultant Psychiatrist T: 0208 462 7722 E:georgestein86@gmail.com W:www.drsteinlegalreports.co.uk Dr Stein qualified in medicine from University College Hospital and worked for a few years in general medicine obtaining his MRCP before going on to train as a psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital obtaining the MRCPsych in 1976. His principal consultant appointment was in Bromley starting in 1982 where he also ran the mother and baby unit for 15 years. He worked for 25 years as an NHS consultant in Bromley and then did a short spell in the Gordon Hospital in London and worked for 2 years in Guildford He has and diagnosed and treated the full spectrum of psychiatric disorders whilst working in the NHS and. He has always worked in private practice where more neurotic and stress disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder feature more prominently.

He has a long association with the British Journal of Psychiatry and worked as an assistant editor for a number of years and co-edited both editions (1998 and 2007) of College Seminars in Adult General Psychiatry the National text book published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He has published research on post natal illnesses, lithium, personality disorders and a variety of other topics.

Medico-legal work In recent years Dr Stein has specialized in medico-legal work as well as private practice. He sees about 60 to 80 cases per year and gives evidence in court around 10-15 times per year. There are two main areas of interest. First he has specialized in personal injury cases. They take the form of traffic accidents, work accidents, and injuries as a consequence of medical treatment where psychiatric problems can sometimes follow on. In these cases teasing out precisely how much of the psychiatry actually relates to the injury itself and how much to other pre existing issues represents the core of the problem and he conducts a detailed and in depth analysis of each case. In personal injury cases he has worked for both the claimant (60%) and defendant(40%) but in most other types of case the more recent pattern has been to be commissioned as mainly as a single joint expert ( SJE).

The second main area of expertise is in the realms of Child Protection. Mothers who are in care proceedings often have psychiatric disorder and the courts require an unbiased assessment of its relevance to the childcare and any associated risks there might be for the child. Such assessments are complicated and entail making a detailed adult psychiatric assessment of the mother as well as an understanding of the social circumstances leading to the removal of the child, and these cases will often come with several large files. He has completed around 140 assessments of this type and been to court on more than 30 occasions as an expert witness on the psychiatry involved in child protection cases and judges have sometimes commended the detail and quality of these reports. He has a good understanding of the social services and legal issues as well as the psychiatry involved in these cases.

Areas covered have been in the family courts ( Child protection cases and contact cases); criminal courts ( psychiatric assessment individuals with a wide variety of offences) Civil courts ( mainly personal injury post traumatic stress disorder; other personal injury; somatisation ;psychiatric aspects of obstetrics and employment issues) He also covers assessments for the whole gamut of adult general psychiatry including some forensic psychiatry and is able to visit prisons as and when this is required.

General Medical Council No 1278286 | Royal College of Psychiatrists Membership No 3990

Dr Lars Davidsson MRCPsych,MEWI, Accredited Mediator (LSM).

Medico legal work.

with Dr Lars Davidsson Lars Davidsson is a Consultant of almost 30 years standing, who for the last ten years, on a regular basis, has provided more than 2,000 medico legal reports. Lars attends the Courts as an expert witness on a regular basis.

With almost 10 years’ experience from his local Criminal Justice Mental Health Team, Lars has a special interest in anxiety and trauma (including road traffic accidents). However, over the last years Lars has written an increasing amount of reports for the employment tribunals.

Lars attends most Courts including the Magistrates Court, Crown Court, County Courts (mainly family matters) as well as Military Tribunals. He also attends professional hearings as an expert witness for GDC, NMC and GOC. and has also been instructed by a number of reputable solicitor firms including Mills and Reeves, Keeble Hawson, Government Legal Department etc.

Clients can usually be seen within two weeks after having received instructions. The reports are usually provided after another two weeks, provided all the necessary paperwork is available. Clients can be seen in Lars' office at Southend on Sea, Essex or in his consulting room at Suite 4, 7 Harley Street, London.

Areas of expertise include Adult ADHD, Anger Management, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Complex Phobias, Depression and recurrent Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Stress and Worry, Low Self Esteem and more.

Fees are based on an hourly rate for all time spent on the case.

This fee is flexible depending upon the amount of credit needed.

For an informal discussion please call 01702 464 099 / 07969 181936 or email Lars Davidsson directly lars.davidsson@angloeuropeanclinic.co.uk

Our practice clinics Anglo European Clinic Prittlewell House 30 East Street, Southend, Essex, SS2 6LH Anglo European Clinic Suite 4, 7 Harley Street, London, W1G 9QY

Dr Lucinda Cockayne

Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Cockayne currently works part time as a Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry for NHS Lothian, having recently retired from her full time post. She has a wealth of experience working in General Adult Psychiatry, and Substance Misuse. She was Lead Clinician for the Fife Substance Misuse Services prior to her retirement.

Her work in treating drug and alcohol misuse and dependence was based in both community and inpatient settings. The scope of her work has also included liaison psychiatry and Perinatal psychiatry.

Dr Cockayne is a Designated Medical Practitioner for the Mental Welfare (Scotland) Commission (MWC). She prepares reports for the Nursing and Midwifery council on fitness to practice, and has taken similar instructions from the GMC and RPS. She has worked on a range of matters including medical negligence, personal injury, criminal cases and assessments for guardianship.

She has also been instructed by the Forces to provide assessments of the mental health of veterans.

Her specialist interests include: • Treatment Of Opioid And Alcohol Dependence • Use Of Opioid Antagonists • Detoxification • Adhd, Add And Management Of Dual Diagnosis.

• General adult psychiatry, liaison psychiatry, guardianship issued For further information please contact Dr Cockayne by e mail - pr4ultd@gmail.com

Dr Naresh Buttan MBBS, DPH, DPM, DNB (Psy), CESR,Sec 12 (2) AC

Consultant Psychiatrist Tenacity Consulting Service Ltd PO Box 295, Glenfield Road, PLYMOUTH Devon PL5 9DB www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants

Areas of Expertise:

I specialise in general adult psychiatry and have been working a consultant in NHS since February 2008. I previously worked in Australia and India as a Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director since 2001.

My special interest areas are in transcultural psychiatry, asylum seekers and refugees’ mental health, impact of war, trauma and physical, emotional and sexual abuse on mental health, bullying and harassment at work and impact on mental health.

Also specialise in diagnosing and treating common and severe mental disorders such as: • ADHD. • Schizophrenia and psychoses including drug induced psychosis.

• Depression, bipolar mood disorders.

• Anxiety spectrum disorders including GAD, phobias, OCD and PTSD. • Dissociative conversion disorders.

• Eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

• Psychosexual disorders such as erectile dysfunction and impotency.

• Self-harming or suicidal behaviours.

• Personality disorders.

• Alcohol and drugs dependence.

Areas of Expertise: I’ve been working as a full time substantive Consultant Psychiatrist in NHS since Feb’08.

Previously, I worked as a Consultant, Clinical Director and Deputy Medical Superintendent in various hospitals in India & Australia since 2001.

I also specialise in using psycho-pharmacological (antidepressants, anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers) and psychotherapeutic treatments including CBT for mental illnesses.

I have provided Medicolegal Expert Witness Psychiatric Reports for over 50 cases to various legal firms and other organizations with high success rates. I’m able to see clients at mutually convenient places and times and provide time efficient high quality expert reports”.

I currently work in NHS contracted organization and also see patients privately at Harley Therapy Ltd, London and Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital by appointments in my private time. For medico-legal cases, please contact me by phone or email to arrange appointments.

Dr Pravir Sharma

FRCPsych DPM MSc MBBS Consultant Psychiatrist • 0121 227 0785 • 0121 227 0786 • 07747 563631 •info@privatepsychiatristbirmingham.co.uk • www.privatepsychiatristbirmingham.co.uk Dr Pravir Sharma specialises in mental health disorders in the elderly although he also has extensive experience of general adult psychiatry. He is experienced in assessing memory problems comprehensively and in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and difficult behaviours associated with it and other dementias.

He also has a special interest in treatment resistant anxiety and depressive illnesses.

Dr Sharma can act as an expert witness, including the preparation of medico legal reports and appearing in court, in personal injury and clinical negligence cases relating to these areas of expertise. He can prepare medico legal reports for road traffic accidents and other accidents in the work place as well as reports for employment tribunals.

Mental capacity: Dr Sharma has extensive experience of assessing capacity in complex cases where mental illness or memory disorders affect the person. He has prepared reports for the court of protection on matters concerning mental capacity, lasting power of attorney, testamentary capacity, capacity to make decisions concerning money affairs and care arrangements, and fitness to stand trial or follow court proceedings. He has extensive experience of the use of the Mental Health Act and is Section 12(2) approved.

Clinical negligence: Dr Sharma has experience of producing causation and condition reports in clinical negligence cases with respect to psychological injury and psychiatric illness. He does not take on paediatric cases involving children below 18 years of age and does not see clients for criminal court reports or forensic cases.

Dr Sharma can act on behalf of either claimant or defendant or as a Single Joint Expert. He is able to offer quick appointments and usually provides reports within 2-4 weeks of assessment.

Dr Sharma has consulting suites at: • Spire Little Aston Hospital, Little Aston Birmingham B74 3UP • Sutton Medical Consulting (Ashfurlong Surgery) 233, Tamworth Road, • Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham B75 6DX He can also see clients for medico legal report assessment at their homes.

Dr Sharma offers home visits for patients in the Midlands who are unable to travel.

Q/A Dr Sohom Das h

Wit

Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist Expert Witness How did you become an expert witness?

I was fortunate enough to undergo forensic psychiatry training, as opposed to general psychiatry. Criminal Court report writing is our bread and butter, and I was encouraged as a Specialist Registrar to take on as many cases as I could. I was also fortunate enough to work for some encouraging consultants, who taught me and critiqued my work thoroughly; this allowed me to absorb the relevant legal knowledge and sharpen my medico-legal skills. From my very first case, I developed a passion for this work and knew it would be my area of expertise. I then attended multiple renowned courses, seminars and conferences, over a couple of years, before branching out into any other medico-legal opportunities I could find; from Civil Court Work, to Family Law to Coroner’s Cases, to Employment tribunals.

What has been your most challenging expert witness types of cases?

For Civil cases, it is when there already is a longterm or complex psychiatric history. It takes skill and patience to sift through the medical records and pull out symptoms that existed before the trauma or clinical negligence and differentiate them from symptoms that have surfaced after this event.

For Criminal cases, it is when I feel the Defendant is not fully cooperating or is exaggerating or fabricating symptoms (e.g. in the hope that they may be found unfit to plead to subvert the system). Again, it takes skill and patience, but also persistence in questioning to reveal the real truth.

I know that you deal with a range of cases, but can you specify a common case that you tend to deal with on a regular basis?

My specific area of interest is high value claims related to trauma; whether it be clinical negligence, personal injury or historical sexual assault. I feel there is an honour in fighting the corner of those that have been wronged and psychiatrically harmed by others. I have developed skills in extracting the relevant symptoms and formulating the right diagnoses.

What is your average turnaround time for a report?

I am in a unique position of working for the NHS for 2 days per week (in two Criminal Court Liaison and Diversion schemes). This means I can dedicate a minimum of three days a week for my medico-legal practice, Sigma Delta Psychiatry Expertise.

Generally, I am able to turn around reports relatively quickly; usually within a week or two of being instructed. I am also able to turn reports around rapidly if needed. On one occasion, when there was an extremely urgent deadline for a deportation case, I was instructed one evening, and managed to assess the client in an Immigration Centre forty miles away and finish a full medicolegal report the next day.

Dr Sohom Das (MBChB, BSc, MSc, MRCPsych) Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist

Expert Witness (Section 12 Approved)

How often would you say your critical analysis the game changer in a claim?

I actively obtain feedback for my reports for my Continued Professional Development.

This is from peers (I am the co-founder of the North London Medicolegal Forum, where a group of expert psychiatrists regularly critique each others’ reports). It is also from judges and solicitors. For every piece of feedback I’ve been given, I’ve been told that my evidence (particularly on the psychiatric consequences of clinical negligence or personal injury) has been critical in gaining a sizeable compensation for the client. I do not take on work that I do not think will have a favourable outcome.

What do you feel is key to being an effective expert witness?

Decisiveness. In my view, the actual science behind extracting information from the notes and assessing a patient is relatively straight forward, especially after some experience (I have authored several hundred in my career). In my view, the most impotent and helpful quality of an expert is being decisive about opinions. This might involve taking a risk on making a definitive decision. However, in my opinion, although sitting on the fence might feel safer, it is not helpful for the Court, the client or the profession.

What makes you the go to expert witness in your specific field?

I have actively been honing my skills to get the right balance of writing very detailed reports that can withstand crossexamination yet are not over-burdened with irrelevant facts.

This comes from having written several hundred court reports in my career, actively obtaining feedback from my reports and critiquing other expert psychiatrists’ reports regularly, as well as having them critique mine.

I am able to turn reports around quickly as I dedicate a minimum of three days a week for my medico-legal practice.

I also believe I am very strong under crossexamination. In fact, contrary to most of my colleagues, I very much enjoy this aspect of my work. I feel it is a cognitive challenge. I am able to think quickly on my feet and find the process of my opinions being contested to be quite exhilarating.

Is there any aspect of expert witness that you feel would surprise someone who was considering adding this to their CV? Whilst the majority of solicitors are a pleasure to work with, some can be difficult (as can some other experts!). In my career, I have experienced solicitors who have been very pushy (as they are clearly hoping for a certain opinion) and do not seem to appreciate than an expert witness has to be neutral and objective. Obviously, this will impact my willingness to work with them in future cases.

In addition, many new experts might not appreciate how volumous the medical notes can be in some cases; sometimes several thousand pages. This obviously takes significant time to analyse.

Please contact me to discuss potential work. enquiries@sigmadeltapsych.co.uk | sohom.das@nhs.net

Dr Sohom Das MBChB, MRCPsych, BSc, MSc Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist

Looking for a medico-legal expert?

Dr Sohom Das has extensive experience in undertaking medicolegal assessments. He regularly prepares high-quality reports on a number of psychiatric issues for a variety of courts, including the Criminal Court, Civil Court, Immigration Tribunals and Mental Health Review Tribunals, and has authored in excess of 500 reports in his career.

His specialist areas of expertise include: Civil court work • • • • • •

High value and complex personal injury cases High value and complex clinical negligence cases - including Breach of Duty, Causation, and Prognosis and Condition Historical sexual abuse Psychiatric consequences of a wide range of incidents and accidents - including post-traumatic stress disorder, issues at work and physical disability Recommendations for psychiatric treatment AvMA approved expert

Criminal court work • • • • • • •

Fitness to plead Defendants’ mental state at the time of offences Mental health disposals - including hospital orders, restriction orders and community orders Mental health defences - including not guilty by reason of insanity, diminished responsibility and automatism Capacity to form intent / mens rae Risk assessments - including violence, sexual offending and risk of reoffending Assessments carried out on male, female and adolescent defendants in secure hospitals, prisons and court

Other areas of expertise • • • • • • •

Mental health review tribunal reports Parole Board reports - including giving oral evidence Immigration tribunal reports Family court reports Employment tribunal reports - including grievance investigation assessments Formal capacity assessments Psychiatric assessments for housing issues

Dr Das can take instructions on behalf of either claimant or defendant or as a Single Joint Expert. He offers unlimited free telephone consultations to solicitors about any medicolegal case. His consultation rooms are based in North London, though he is able to travel to assessments.

sohom.das@nhs.net | www.sigmadeltapsych.co.uk

Dr Sunkanmi Osunsanmi Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist

MBBS, MSc, MRCPsych, Certificate in Family Law, Section 12 approved.

Dr Osunsanmi is a Consultant Psychiatrist based in Gloucestershire, his specialised area is Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

His duties involve providing psychiatric leadership and input to a specialist Child and Adolescent Mental health team. He also provides psychiatric input to a countywide Neurodevelopmental Clinic and a Schoolbased Learning Disability Clinic. In his role as a clinician, he has extensive experience of a broad range of psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental difficulties in both in and out-patient settings.

His experience includes; • Expertise in psychopharmacology • neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD. • Cognitive Behavioural therapy • Behavioural modification and therapy • Medico-legal writing for MHA tribunals and the court systems • Assessment of capacity and consent • Use of standardised Continuous Performance tool for assessing ADHD in children, adolescents and adults •Ffitness to plead/stand trial assessment.

Dr Osunsanmi has published a number of book reviews relevant to child and adolescent psychiatry and articles in relevant scientific journals on ADHD and learning disability in the child and adolescent population. He has also presented (both Oral and Poster presentations) at a number of national and international conferences.

Training

Completed the Cardiff University Bond Solon Certificate course on Family law and procedures, British Association for Psychopharmacology scholarship award to attend the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology- was one of 3 selected candidates across the UK for the 1st school of Child/ Adolescent psychopharmacology- 2012. Fully up to date with CPD activities with the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Membership

Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrist, membership awarded following success in the membership examinations (stages 1 and 2) in 2006. Registered with the General Medical Council, UK with full registration and on the specialist register of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. Section 12 (2) approved since 2006 and an Approved Clinician since 2010

The Devereux Centre Barton Road. Tewkesbury Gloucestershire GL20 5GJ 07785 785 647 osunsanmi@doctors.org.uk enquiries@edcapelimited.co.uk www.edcapelimited.co.uk

3.

The influence of the litigation process on the psychiatric/psychological injury:

There is often an assumption that the litigation process is anxiety-provoking and traumatic for the Claimant.

Certainly, prolonged litigation can be very dispiriting for individuals, but effectively managed litigation, with prompt access to expert opinion can be very helpful. Legal practitioners need to be aware of their role in terms of assisting the identification of accurate medical diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Providing regular feedback to claimants and being proactive in terms of moving cases forward towards settlement can be a very helpful process. The process can be greatly assisted by the development of a good dialogue between legal practitioners and their chosen experts. This can transform outcomes. The provision of information for claimants and managing expectations is very important. Well-conducted cases may well produce much better outcomes from the medical perspective, reducing long-term psychiatric/psychological morbidity.

4.

The need for Insurers to agree and facilitate requests for early treatment in order to improve the outcomes for claimants:

Given the fact that psychiatric chronicity can have such a negative impact on individual functioning, Insurers have a particularly important role in terms of identifying and facilitating treatment pathways. In terms of psychiatric conditions, this may well reduce the ultimate level of exposure financially, as well as achieving fair and helpful outcomes for concerned individuals. Similar gains can also be identified in Orthopaedic and Pain Management cases.

5.

Picking the right expert:

Psychiatric experts may have an important role in terms of how a PI case develops and unfolds. One size of expert rarely fits all. Careful research of an expert’s curriculum vitae to ensure that they have the relevant expertise and up-to-date practice is very important. In my opinion a particular thing to watchout for is a balanced practice, being instructed by Defendants and Claimants in roughly equal measure.

Picking an expert with an unbalanced practice can be fraught with dangers. In the field of serious personal injury cases, previous track-record and experience is very important in terms of producing an accurate, well-evidenced diagnostic formulation, assessment of causation and a convincing prognosis, with advice regarding best-practice treatment.

My long involvement in medico-legal psychiatry has given me a particular interest in social history. My book Twelve Shaldon People was published last year. This year I am working on Twelve Teignmouth People and Twelve St David’s People. Publishing local social history can have a powerful influence on community cohesion and understanding.

Dr Nick Cooling MBBS, MRCPsych, Dip Clin Psych Consultant Psychiatrist With grateful thanks to Abraham Kallis of Chris Kallis Solicitors for support and advice Shaldon, Devon March 19

01626 873 466 | 07976 797 017 | nickcooling4@aol.com

Dr Tinnevely Ananthanarayanan MBBS FRCPsych DPM(Lond) DPM(RCSI)

Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Ananthanarayanan is a Consultant Psychiatrist with extensive experience in the NHS, treating various types of mental illnesses for 22 years, from 1981 to 2003. He was a Specialist Medical Visitor for the Lord Chancellor's Department from 2003 until June 2014. This work mainly involved Mental Capacity, Cognitive Assessment, Memory problems etc. due to organic brain conditions, such as Alzheimer's and other dementias, head injury and alcohol related brain damage. He was also a Medical Member of the Mental Health Tribunal from 1998 until June 2015, where he performed Mental Capacity Assessments and Mental Health Act Assessments during this period.

Over the years Dr Ananthanarayanan has given Independent Psychiatric Reports on Mental Capacity for the Court of Protection and other bodies, including giving opinion on patients’ fitness to plead in court. His experience has involved, mainly Mental Health Act Assessment for detained patients, also assessment of patients' Mental Capacity, to appear before the Tribunal, and understand the proceedings. Mostly he deals with civil cases involving capacity.

Dr Ananthanarayanan also appears in criminal cases, both for defence and prosecution in which mental capacity is an issue. In addition to this he attends court to provide expert evidence in criminal cases both defence and prosecution.

He has extensive experience in clinical and medico-legal aspects of Mental Health and given frequent independent psychiatric reports on patients appearing before for the Mental Health Tribunal. Special expertise in Mental Capacity, Cognitive Assessment, and memory problems, primarly due to organic and functional mental disorders.

Training Dr Ananthanarayanan has attended various courses over the years, as part of his continuing professional development and continues to do so. These courses were organised by the NHS, Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Medical Association (BMA), Court of Protection, Mental Health Tribunal and various other bodies. Throughout the year Dr Ananthanarayanan also attends medico legal courses which keep him up to date with relevant issues.

Membership He is a member of the British Medical Association, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal Society of Medicine and was a Medical Member of the Mental Health Tribunal for sixteen years, until June 2015.

He is a member of the expert witness panel for the Medical Protection Society.

15 De Burgh Gardens, Tadworth. Surrey. KT20 5LU. 07921 299110

Tully Forensic Psychology was set up in 2012 by HCPC Registered and BPS Chartered Forensic Psychologist Dr Ruth Tully (BSc(Hons), MSc, DForenPsy, CPsychol, EuroPsy, AFBPsS, CSci, MAE, AFHEA). We expanded from there and are now a team of over 30 specially selected expert forensic and clinical psychologists who provide assessment, treatment, training, and consultancy services. Dr Tully is the Clinical Director of services, and she oversees the whole team of consultant, senior, associate, and assistant clinical and forensic psychologists nationwide. We are proud to be based in Nottingham, but with associates based throughout the UK, so that we can deliver services and take instructions nationwide.

We specialise in providing independent forensic psychology expert witness services in relation to a range of clients. These include clients who may be at risk of committing (or who are alleged to have committed), a criminal offence. Clients may be victims of crime or abuse themselves.

Examples of expert witness services include assessments for life/indeterminate (IPP) sentence/ recall parole purposes, Category A review panels, as well as for Court (criminal, family, civil), within care proceedings, Mental Health Review Tribunals (MHRT/MHT), immigration/deportation cases, and Local Authority (LA) commissioned family or individual assessments. We frequently undertake legal aid funded work.

We provide expert psychological assessments for religious organisations and sporting organisations in relation to safeguarding, risk, and other matters requiring psychological expertise. We are on the National Crime Agency (NCA) list of expert advisors, providing reports instructed by the Police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as well as instructed by the defence. We also provide therapy and treatment services to a wide range of people.

Dr Ruth Tully

Consultant Forensic Psychologist and Clinical Lead BSc(Hons), MSc, DForenPsy, CPsychol, EuroPsy, AFBPsS, CSci , MAE, AFHEA Our team provides training to individuals and large services such as the NHS and private service providers, and are proud to also offer treatment that impacts positively on people’s lives. The training and consultancy that we provide covers many areas of clinical forensic psychology, as well as us offering training that is relevant to areas wider than forensic psychology. Ruth has provided training nationally and internationally to hundreds of professionals in various areas including risk assessment and sexual offending. Between the team, our range of expertise lends to us being able to provide a range of bespoke training.

Dr Tully is a Forensic Psychologist and Director of Tully Forensic Psychology Ltd. She is an expert in forensic risk assessment and is the clinical lead of the team, supervising all of the work of our expert psychologists.

Ruth is Chartered by the British Psychological Society (BPS), Registered as a Forensic Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), an Associate Fellow of the BPS, and she holds a European standard qualification in psychology.

Earlier in her career, Ruth was nominated for, and was then awarded, the BPS Division of Forensic Psychology Junior Award in Forensic Psychology 2013.

This BPS award focuses on the production of work of outstanding quality and innovation, and Ruth was awarded the prize for her ‘notable contribution to the field‘. Ruth is an accredited Full Practicing Member of The Academy of Experts.

Following her extensive work in prisons and clinical forensic NHS settings with clients who have enhanced rehabilitation needs in relation to mental health, personality, learning disability and risk, Ruth moved to provide similar services in a private hospital as a Consultant Forensic Psychologist and senior manager. It was following setting up and watching this service flourish that she moved to The University of Nottingham. Dr Tully is regularly invited to act as peer-reviewer for respected journal publishers and she is also regularly requested by the media as an expert speaker in relation to Forensic Psychology.

Ruth’s special interests are in prison and court risk assessment and treatment, especially relating to sexual and violent offences. She has worked on various high profile cases and is particularly proud of the rapport and understanding she is able to achieve with those who she is assessing/treating and professionals alike, regardless of outcome of the independent assessment. Ruth undertakes assessments in Family Court or care proceedings, such as assessments of young people and their carers.

Alongside providing expert independent psychological services, Ruth gives workshops and lectures at various Universities, following her past role as Assistant Professor at The University of Nottingham. Ruth is registered with the BPS as an approved supervisor (RAPPS).

Ruth has an active research portfolio including: • Risk Assessment • Sex Offending • Learning Disability • Revenge Pornography • Road Rage • Psychometric Test Development • Internet Sex Offending.

The Team: Our team members, over 30 forensic and clinical psychologists, are friendly and approachable and so if you have any queries, or the particular issue surrounding your client’s case is not listed in the examples of work we engage in, please click through to the contact page to get in touch via email or phone. Upon request we promptly provide enquirers with an estimate of fees that you can easily use to apply for or request funding (e.g.

Legal Aid Authority [LAA] applications, or within your organisation), and timescales are discussed in advance as part of this transparent process. We pride ourselves in completing on time and in our clear communication with the referrer.

Along with an estimate of fees you will be provided with the psychologist’s up to date expert witness CV to view in order to ensure that you are well informed and fully content prior to the work proceeding. You will be able to feel safe in the knowledge that all of our psychologists have up-to-date DBS/CRB checks, professional indemnity insurance, and appropriate professional registration (e.g. British Psychological Society Chartered and Health and Care Professions Council Registered) alongside other professional training and expertise.

Our Psychologists and Practice Team: We specialise in providing high quality psychological services, specialising in expert witness reports for court and prison proceedings.

Our team is detailed on this link http:// tullyforensicpsychology.com/practice-team/ If you are a legal professional, or other interested agency, please contact us for further details or to instruct one of our experts.

Tully Forensic Psychology

enquiries@tullyforensicpsychology.com 07779 907198 tullyforensicpsychology.com

Meet some of our dedicated team Dr Jill Peters Consultant Clinical Psychologist BSc(Hons), DClinPsy, CPsychol, AFBPsS Dr Peters is an extremely experienced Consultant Clinical Psychologist, particularly specialising in trauma, personality disorder, and offending. She is Chartered member and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and is Registered as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Since qualifying in 2004, Dr Peters has spent time working with individuals who have multi-faceted difficulties across a multitude of settings including the NHS, independent hospital sector and working as an independent psychologist. Many people Dr Peters has work with have traumatic histories often characterised by abuse and neglect, in addition to their complex presentations. She has also dedicated a large proportion of her career to working with offenders. Dr Peters has worked with numerous high-risk offenders within community settings and in secure inpatient and prison environments.

She has experience in assessing risk of violent crimes, sexual offending, extremist violence, and stalking. This has included individuals whose offending has included extremely serious contact and noncontact sexual offences involving both adults and children, as well as the extremes of violence including arson, murder and Terrorism Act offences. Dr Peters has a particular interest in risk assessment, management and treatment and is skilled at building rapport with complex individuals who may be difficult to engage. She has experience of working with both adult male and female offenders, as well as with young people who have committed offences or have been involved with the criminal justice system. As well as her direct client work, Dr Peters is a dynamic and competent trainer and has taught a range of individuals from service users, unqualified staff, and qualified professionals in the workplace through to undergraduate and postgraduate students and she is skilled at moderating her approach to make the material accessible to all.

She has previously worked as a tutor on the Coventry and Warwick Clinical Psychology Doctorate. Through her broad experience, Dr Peters is confident and competent communicator who has provided evidence in a variety of environments, including for Mental Health Act review tribunals, parole hearings, and Court. She is also experienced in supervising a wide range of other professionals and in the development, delivery, and supervision of treatment programmes offered to offenders. Dr Peters enjoys and is competent in undertaking a wide range of assessments and giving consideration to mental health problems, personality issues, cognitive ability, and risk related issues using a range of methods including professional liaison, psychometric assessment, and direct clinical interview.

She has been privileged enough to work with and to have supported individuals across various parts of their treatment pathway and is equally as confident making recommendations regarding risk for individuals within the community or within a secure setting. Dr Peters also has extensive experience of conducting assessments relating to personal injury (trauma) and clinical negligence cases. She enjoys diversity in her work and continues to undertake Court and Prison assessments in addition to providing consultation, training, and treatment options.

Claire Illingworth Senior Psychologist BSc(Hons), MSc, CPsychol Claire Illingworth is a Senior Psychologist in our team. She is BPS Chartered and HCPC Registered as a Forensic Psychologist.

Previously working for over 14 years within HM Prison Service, she has gained extensive experience in assessing and treating the full range of offender types, specialising in the assessment and treatment of high risk violent and sexual offenders, and individuals with cognitive functioning deficits. Claire has extensive knowledge in the prison accredited offender behaviour programmes.

Claire has experience in working with and completing risk assessments for clients with a range of psychological difficulties including personality disorder and cognitive functioning deficits. Claire provides services nationwide and is able to complete a range of psychological assessments that explore risk and functioning for young and adult male and female offenders.

Dr Jennifer Bamford Senior Psychologist BSc(Hons), MSc, DForensPsy, CPsychol Dr Jennifer Bamford is a Senior Associate Psychologist in our team. She is BPS Chartered and HCPC Registered as a Forensic Psychologist with vast experience of working with male and female offenders in prisons, secure hospitals, and community settings.

Jennifer has experience in working with and completing risk assessments for clients with a range of psychological difficulties including mental illness, personality disorder, cognitive functioning deficits and developmental disorders, such as ASD. Jennifer’s clinical work has included working with women using a Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) approach.

She was awarded the BPS Division of Forensic Psychology Junior award in in 2015, having been nominated in relation to her academic work and clinical practice, recognising her notable contribution to the field of Forensic Psychology.

Jennifer’s area of specialism is sexual offending; she is highly competent and experienced in delivering sex offender treatment programs (SOTPs) and in assessing risk and treatment progress of sexual offenders.

Jennifer has completed a doctoral thesis on the assessment and treatment of multiple perpetrator sexual offenders, and has published articles in this area. Jennifer is trained in assessing men at risk of offending in a family context. In her Senior role she enjoys supervising other psychologists in our team and she is on the BPS register of supervisors (RAPPS).

Meet some of our dedicated team Dr Natalie Brotherton Associate Clinical Psychologist BSc(Hons), DClinPsy, CPsychol Dr Natalie Brotherton is a HCPC Registered and BPS Chartered Clinical Psychologist. She currently leads the psychological provision within an acute mental health service and is involved in the strategic management and development of psychology provision for the wider hospital, which includes secure services.

Her experience includes working with adults within low and high security psychiatric services with a range of complex needs and presentations including intellectual disability, mental illness, personality disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and neurological conditions. She has also worked within the community, within NHS services, charitable organisations and privately with clients across the full developmental range. She is a qualified therapist in approaches such as EMDR and DBT and is currently working towards certification in Schema therapy.

She also has experience of developing and providing individual and group offence-focused interventions.

Additional areas of experience include providing supervision, training, consultation, reflective practice and service development. Dr Brotherton is experienced in a number of formal assessments such as assessments of violence (HCR20-v3), sexual risk (RSVP), personality disorder (IPDE), psychopathy (PCL-r), autism spectrum disorder (ADOS, ADI-r), and cognitive functioning (WAIS-IV), alongside a number of neuropsychological functioning measures.

For any further information on the diversity of the experts in our team, to discuss your requirements or to instruct any member of our team please contact:

Tully Forensic Psychology

enquiries@tullyforensicpsychology.com 07779 907198 tullyforensicpsychology.com

Bee-Lean Chew heads up the Wilder Coe Forensic Accounting and Litigation department and has been a Partner since 2005.

As a member of the Network of Independent Forensic Accountants (NIFA), an ICAEW-accredited Forensic Accountant and a member of the ICAEW Audit and Assurance faculty, Bee is able to provide her clients with a clear, understandable presentation of fact in both personal and corporate investigations.

With expertise in advising clients at all levels across audit, financial reporting and taxation, including multi-national groups, Bee provides the following to the legal profession across a variety of matters:

*Jargon free and understandable analysis of your clients’ financial issues *Court– compliant litigation reports to support legal cases *Support and advice from our experienced team of accounting professionals

Provision of Expert Witness accountancy services in:          

Share and business valuations Shareholder and partnership disputes Fraud investigations Wrongful trading claims Loss of profit calculations Loss of earning calculations Professional negligence claims Tax investigations Personal injury claims Divorce investigations

“Relevant expertise, transparency, trust and neutrality are crucial for being an expert witness”

Coronavirus During the current global public health crisis, we are taking all the appropriate steps to protect the health and safety of our team members, clients and contacts, which is of paramount importance to us.

We are successfully working remotely as a firm throughout the pandemic and, the vast majority will continue doing so, for the foreseeable future. We have been able to safely reopen our offices after careful implementation of COVID-19 guidelines for staff members who are unable to deal with matters remotely.

We post regular news and updates on our COVID-19 Business Support Hub. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, as we continue to deliver an exceptional service to clients with minimum disruption.

Bee-Lean Chew

Bee.chew@wildercoe.co.uk | 020 7616 8868 Wilder Coe Ltd, Chartered Accountants 1st Floor, Sackville House, 143 – 149 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 6BL

The Need for Psychology in Child Protection By

Dennis Trent Chartered Clinical Psychologist

hartered Clinical Psychologist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Dr Dennis Trent, provides expert reports in the field of Child Protection/Custody issues, Pre-Sentence Reports, Risk Assessments, Fitness to Plead, Learning Disabilities and other court related psychological assessments, via his private psychology practice Midlands Psychological Services, based in Birmingham in the West Midlands.

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Boasting over 20 years experience in providing Psychology Services throughout the U.K. and abroad, Dr. Trent outlined in a recent interview the need for psychology in child protection: It has often been said that the greatest asset of any culture is its children. To say that they are our future is like saying that day is light and night is dark. Someone who has been blind from birth would not understand that and it would appear that blindness is more common than we would sometimes like to admit. The protection of children, while a widely recognised ideal, is often derailed by political and financial based decisions which are not in the best interest of our children.

Children tend to see the world in a markedly concrete manner. That is to say that in a child’s life there is black and white with little or no grey. Things are either good or bad, right or wrong with little ability to recognise nuances between the two extremes. If a child has done a ‘bad’ thing, it is easy for the child to assume that he or she is a bad person.

They also tend to take on responsibility for events and situations over which they have no control. Although they will often attempt to evade responsibility by denying an obvious action,

Anyone who has worked with abused children will recognise such statements as,

“I deserved it”, “if I hadn’t....”, and “it was my fault”.

they make connections which make sense at a concrete level, but which do not stand up to rational examination. “If I had eaten my corn Mum and Dad wouldn’t be fighting. If they weren’t fighting they wouldn’t be getting a divorce, therefore it is my fault they are getting a divorce” is a good example of concrete reasoning. It appears to be linear in that one leads to the next, but when examined the components, i.e., eating corn and getting a divorce, are very tenuously related at best. In years of clinical practice I have never met a couple who divorced because the child did not eat corn. While to an adult it may be a flashpoint, to a child it is the reason.

Children rely on adults for their very existence.

We know that nurturing a child is essential to the development of the child. Shortly after World War II children in an orphanage were investigated because the infant nearest the door always did better than the others and it was not known why.

When cameras were placed in the room it was noted that when the matron would turn out the lights at the end of the day she would reach down and caress the child nearest her before she left the room. Even a seemingly simple gesture as a passing caress is enough to have a positive impact on an infant’s life.

The primary damage, other than physical, of child abuse is a breach of the trust relationship between children and adults. When the very person a child relies on for safety, security and nurturing creates an environment which is not safe, secure or nurturing, the child will often take responsibility for having created that environment.

Anyone who has worked with abused children will recognise such statements as, “I deserved it”, “if I hadn’t....”, and “it was my fault”.

These same statements are frequently heard when working with adult survivors of child abuse. If children cannot trust the environment, then when they become adults their ability to trust themselves as well as others is likely to be impaired, thus having a marked effect on both their self-concept and their ability to empathise with others.

Most parents recognise that it is important to have a consistent meal and bedtime schedule for their children. It establishes a structure within which a child can experiment and play, and forms the basis for the child’s sense of security and stability.

When a child is abused there is little ability for the child to experiment or play as most of the child’s efforts will be directed at stabilising the environment and ‘pleasing’ the abuser in an attempt to avoid future abuse. This is likely to set a pattern for future behaviour as an adult. Since the individual sees little self value, efforts are often directed at gaining a sense of value from others, often by establishing a relationship to gain that sense of value.

The problem is that people will not accept something they do not believe to be true, and therefore the individual will negate any value given by a partner. The lack of trust will cause a ‘testing’ of the relationship to find the breaking point and another partner will be sought to gain the sense of value which was not obtained in the first relationship. As such, a pattern of unstable relationships follow, often with significant domestic violence inherent within those relationships.

Sex enters into the equation in that within the Western culture, sex is frequently seen as an indicator that emotional intimacy, acceptance, love and approval or value has been established.

While the individual in almost all cases is searching for an emotional intimacy, that is acceptance and security, what is achieved is a physical intimacy devoid of the very thing being sought.

The answer to this dilemma of poor self-concept, lack of trust in others and feelings of estrangement is to have a baby. A baby is often viewed as someone who will love unconditionally and give worth to the individual.

The child is viewed as there for the parent, not the parent there for the child. What is not recognised is that within a poor relationship a child is demanding and an added stress. Now the pattern repeats as the parents are not receiving what they wanted from the child and the child is therefore often seen as the problem.

The problem is now exacerbated by taking the child out of the family and placing him or her in care, a process designed to protect the child.

While it is understood that a social worker wants to progress a career, multiple changes of social workers only increases the instability in the child’s life. The same applies to Foster Parents.

While there are many very good foster parents, children who have been taken from families present many problems for those foster parents who are less able or willing to deal with those problems.

Placement in multiple foster homes is not uncommon and again will be more damaging than helpful. Unfortunately, there is no formal psychological assessment of potential foster carers or children’s homes workers and while experts in social care systems, social workers are not always best placed to assess the psychological make-up of parents who are very adept at covering over abuse and presenting themselves as caring individuals.

Enter the psychologist.

Psychologists are extensively trained to make the assessment of risks to children. With tested and proven instruments, many of which identify information the individual is not aware is being sought, the underlying risk presented by taking a child from a family unnecessarily, or placing a child into a high risk environment, can be avoided. As fully independent experts we have the ability to view parents, children and environments from a completely objective viewpoint keeping the needs of the child paramount. We can make recommendations to the Court as to the needs of the child as well as ways in which the parent can improve themselves and their parenting skills in order to provide a more safe and secure environment for their child. We can assess the level of risk a parent or potential partner presents to a child.

While past behaviour is a good indicator of future behaviour, it is not an absolute predictor. It is well accepted that the best place for a child is with the parents when that is safe and appropriate.

In conclusion Dr. Trent went on to say:: "Psychologists are best placed to help tease out that level of appropriateness.

We can also assist Social Services in assessing the appropriateness of potential foster carers and support social workers in working with both children and adults.

Most importantly, we can assist the Court to make a decision which is in the best interest of the child. Failure to do so will only build a significantly greater problem for the future. It is commonly accepted that the incidence of mental disorders in the prison population has markedly increased over the past years.

The protection of children and early intervention facilitated by formal assessments of risk posed to them by parents, partners and carers is the first step in reducing, and turning around, a time bomb with huge personal, social and financial costs for the future."

Dr. Dennis Trent, (0121) 224-3051, (0121) 224 3252, mps@midpsych.co.uk www.midpsych.co.uk

Mr Jon Leigh ND, DO

Registered Osteopath & Registered Naturopathic Physician Mr Leigh has been in practice for over forty five years, having qualified from the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy.

His special areas of expertise are injuries caused by motor car accidents, occupational injuries and sports injuries. He is also qualified Expert Witness, trained in writing and presenting medico-legal reports and presenting them in court. He has also appeared many times on television and used to be a regular expert on Barbara Sturgeon’s programme on Radio Kent.

He qualified from The British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy, now known as The British College of Osteopathic Medicine, in 1972. After qualification he worked at Grayshott Hall in Hindhead for two years and then moved the Medway Towns. He established the Gillingham Clinic of Complementary Medicine in 1982 to fulfil his dream of having a multi-disciplinary Clinic, where patients could consult the best practitioners available. He also taught at the British College where he trained, and for the European College of Osteopathy in Maidstone and the International College of Alternative Therapies, where he was head of the osteopathic department.

Mr Leigh is available to instruct as an Expert Witness his major areas of interest are road traffic accidents, work related injuries and sports injuries.

• Registered Osteopath & Registered Naturopathic Physician • Member of the Institute of Osteopathy • Member of the Institute of Classical Osteopathy • Member of the Institute of Expert Witnesses • Member of the Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses

2019

Federation of Federation of

Expert witnesses orensic Forensic & Expert&witnesses

Gillingham Clinic of Complementary Medicine 50 Watling Street | Gillingham | Kent | ME7 2YN 01634 576292 | 07976 224917 | jhl@gillinghamclinic.co.uk

www.gillinghamclinic.co.uk

DR. DAWN BAILHAM MSc Forensic Psychology, DClinpsych (Doctorate in Clinical Psychology), BSc (Hons) Psychology, AFBPS, CAT Practitioner

Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Expert Witness Dr. Dawn Bailham is able to draw on her background in forensic mental health, in which she has assessed and treated adults and children, together with her extensive academic training, to provide a highly professional, independent service as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Expert Witness.

A trained DBT therapist and qualified Cognitive Analytical Therapist (CAT Practitioner), Dr. Bailham has been a qualified Clinical Psychologist now for 14 years, working in a variety of settings dealing with people with complex mental health needs, as Dr. Bailham outlined in a recent interview: “My experience of working in the NHS within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), in Looked after Children’s Services, and adult Forensic Mental Health Inpatient Services has given me great insight in mental health issues.

The insight and knowledge I have gained I have applied to Child and Family Law cases to gain an understanding of how they impact on parenting capacity, child development, and the emotional wellbeing of children.

Beginning working in forensic mental health has given me great insight into mental health issues within a legal framework and how they contribute to offending in Criminal Law and impact on parenting capacity and insight in family law cases. I feel an important aspect of my role in Expert Witness cases has been sharing psychological formulations to inform the Court, and to assist the Court in making sense of issues regarding parenting, child protection, and the future risk of offending, or victimisation of vulnerable adults and children.

I currently work in a residential care service on a part-time basis with young people aged 16 - 25 years with complex mental health problems and emerging personality disorders. I have recent experience of working with young adults with histories of sexually harmful behaviour some of which have had offending histories. My role involves management, assessment and intervention to address clinical needs e.g. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Analytical Therapy.

I also have experience of developing and managing the running of a sex offender treatment programme.

Prior to my role working in the forensic inpatient service I worked in an NHS community Child Adolescent and Mental Health Service (CAMHS) delivering DBT to adolescents with histories of selfharm, attempted suicide, and emerging personality disorders, some of which also had offending histories and were known to the Youth Offending Service. I have had previous experiences of developing and managing the delivery of a sex offender.

A sign of Dr. Bailham’s commitment to further develop her knowledge-base is evident in that she has also obtained the Cardiff University Bond Solon certificate in Criminal Law.

Offering her services as an Expert Witness for both the prosecution and defence, as a single or joint Expert, Dr. Bailham has attended court on numerous occasions to give expert evidence for cases relating to Family Law and more recently Criminal Law. Her key areas of interest are the development of personality disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, juvenile sex offending and applications of Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT).

“More recently I have been instructed by Local Authorities in pre-care proceeding cases to give my opinion in Child and Family cases particularly where there are child protection concerns,” Dr. Bailham told us, “The value of this as an Expert has been to guide Local Authorities in terms of appropriate psychological interventions for parents to sometimes prevent care proceedings, as well as provide a psychological understanding of why issues within families have developed.

This can assist professionals in understanding parenting concerns, their communication with parents, and to be more empathic about how parenting difficulties have arisen.

In criminal cases as an Expert Witness I have been asked to give an opinion at the early stages of a case as to whether a perpetrator or victim has the capacity to instruct a solicitor, which has been helpful to inform the Courts especially with vulnerable adults who come into contact with the Criminal Justice Services.”

As you would expect of such a consummate professional, Dr. Bailham is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS), a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), as well as being a Member of the National Organisation for Treatment of Sexual Abusers (NOTA).

Below you will find typical examples of the types of cases undertaken

by Dr. Bailham in her capacity as an Expert Witness: I have been instructed on a number of cases where domestic violence has been an issue in the family, and I have been asked my opinion on a parents‘ insight into these risks, their ability to protect their children, and the psychological impact on children. In terms of Child and Family Law I am often asked to assess parents where there may be personality difficulties, mental health problems, and/or substance misuse issues. More recently I have been asked to assess parents insight and ability to protect their children from adults with a sex offending history, this could be a parent with a history of this type of offence, or parents who associate with adults with this history.

I am often asked to assess children where the child has a history of sexually harmful behaviour, or young people who come into contact with the Criminal Justice Services for other offences.

With Criminal Law cases I am often instructed to assess vulnerable adults, or children who have been victims of crime; to assess the psychological impact on them, and their ability to instruct a solicitor. At other times I have been instructed to assess young people who come into contact with the Criminal Justice Services in terms of their mental health functioning, the presence of learning disabilities, and capacity to instruct and understand Court proceedings.

Mobile Tel: 07801 266 010 / Email: dawnbailhan@icloud.com

Dr Sarah Burnett MB BS, MRCP, FRCR, MBA, MA

Consultant Radiologist Expert Dr Sarah Burnett studied Medicine at Westminster, qualifying in 1985. She did ‘Golden Circuit’ jobs before becoming a registrar at the Mayday. In 1988 Sarah started training in Radiology at Bart’s, and became a Consultant at St Mary’s and the Royal National Orthopaedic in 1993.

She was also Admissions Tutor for Medicine at Imperial. In 2001 she left the NHS to continue in full time independent practice.

Dr Burnett specialises in treating needle-phobic patients, and is a Master Practitioner of NeuroLinguistic Programming.

Areas included are medical negligence and personal injury comprising of the following modalities and speciality areas:

General radiology - plain film.

Musculoskeletal, trauma and injury - plain film, MRI, CT. Please note that the majority of the reports in the 7 500 reports over the last 3 years are PI cases, with a negligence figure of 150 in the last three years. I charge £300.00 an hour (VAT is not applicable) and most cases are done in an hour. Generally I can turn round a report within two weeks of receiving the bundle and I do not charge for email exchanges or minor amendments. I am ICO registered for data and a trained Civil and Commercial Mediator.

Radiology Expert Witness

Dr Sarah Burnett | 07776 183099 | drsarah@me.com

Dr Robert Campbell MBChB, DMRD, FRCR

Consultant Musculoskeletal Radiologist Dr Campbell is a specialist Consultant Radiologist with expertise in musculoskeletal imaging. His practice is based in Liverpool, providing imaging services to the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Teaching Hospitals, a renowned centre for orthopaedics, rheumatology and related specialities.

He has over 20 years of experience in writing medico-legal reports for medical negligence cases. He also provides imaging services for personal injury cases, including, x-ray, MRI, CT and ultrasound, for clients based in the North West of England.

Areas include:

• Trauma.

• X-rays.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

• Computed Tomography (CT).

• Ultrasound.

• Orthopaedics, spine and rheumatology imaging.

• Sports medicine imaging.

R&M Campbell Ltd 10 Kingsmead Road North PRENTON Merseyside CH43 6TB

0151 706 2915 (NHS PA) 0151 200 1184 (Med-legal PA) 07940 537903 rob.campbell@rlbuht.nhs.uk medlegalreporting@gmail.com

Medical Expert Report Writing Emma Ferriman has been a Consultant Obstetrician since 2001. She graduated from Liverpool University in 1990 and is dually accredited in both Obstetrics and Gynaecology and is subspecialty trained in Fetal and Maternal Medicine. Emma Ferriman worked at The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as a Consultant Obstetrician and Fetal Medicine specialist from 2001 to 2015.

In November 2015 she was appointed as a Consultant Obstetrician with a special interest in Fetal Medicine at The Jessop Wing, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield. Emma Ferriman has a private practice in antenatal ultrasound and first trimester screening at Thisismy Health and Ultrasound Screening Centre in Leeds.

Emma Ferriman is a member of the British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society (BMFMS), British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) The British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) . She is listed on the UK register of expert witnesses and is a member of The Society of Expert Witnesses (SEW).

Emma Ferriman undertakes medical negligence and personal injury reporting within the United Kingdom. Currently cases are split approximately 50/50 between plaintiff and defendant. Areas of special interest include prenatal diagnosis, first trimester screening, multiple pregnancy and high risk obstetrics including intra partum complications and asphyxia.

Fees are charged at £200 per hour or part hour of medical time, £500 for a screening/desktop report and six hours work for a full report.

Electronic records accepted. Simple reports vary from 2 to 4 hours work whereas more complex reports may be 7 to 8 hours work.

The time for completed reports is usually four to six weeks from the date of receipt of the full medical records.

To enquire about instructing Emma Ferriman, solicitors and medico-legal agencies should first contact emmaferriman@doctors.org.uk or call on 0113 262 1675 to request a copy of the Terms and Conditions.

Please note that all fees are payable within 56 days of receipt of the completed report.

Dr Julian Harriss MD, MSc, BSc

Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine (PM&R, Physiatry)

Rehab Medicine Areas of Expertise:

Dr Harriss has served in many senior clinical and academic positions, including Clinical Lead in Rehabilitation Medicine at the Lane Fox Clinic, Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital and Frank Cooksey Rehabiliation Unit, KCH, and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Medicine at King’s College London. He is Director of IRMA: Independent Rehabilitation Medicine Assessment, and a trustee of UKABIF and the BSRM.

Areas include: * Rehabilitation medicine. * Neuro-rehabilitation. * MSK rehabilitation. * Paediatric rehabilitation. * Amputee rehabilitation. * Specialist orthotics. * Post polio syndrome. * Personal injury, clinical negligence and medical malpractice medical reports. * Spasticity management. * Brain injury rehabilitation.

Federation of

Forensic & Expert witnesses

10 Oakway, BROMLEY. Kent. BR2 0LJ 07533 149796 jharriss@doctors.org.uk

Professor Ali Ghoz

MB BCh, FRCS(Tr. & Orth.), MSc(Oxon), MRCS(Eng), MRCS(Ed), Fellowship(AOA)

Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon Honorary Professor of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery

Specialist Hip and Knee Surgeon Professor Ghoz is a Trauma and Orthopaedic surgeon specialising in minimally invasive hip and knee surgery in London and Berkshire.

Medicolegal Expertise As one of the leading surgeons in his field Professor Ali Ghoz is able to deliver professional and expert opinion and testimony, provide medical reports in a timely manner and explain the intricacies of trauma and orthopaedic medicine.

Areas of Medicolegal expertise include personal injury, road traffic accidents and medical negligence.

Professor Ali Ghoz is available for criminal cases and personal injury cases – as well as media and public relations work.

Ali Ghoz is an Honorary Professor of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery. He specialises in trauma and orthopaedic surgeons specialising in cutting edge, minimally invasive hip and knee surgery. He has a specialist interest in custom made bespoke hip and knee surgery with an emphasis on computer guided surgery.

Education and Training Professor Ghoz completed his basic surgical training at the Yorkshire School of Surgery progressing to a National Training Number for Specialist Registrar training at the Yorkshire Deanery. He obtained a Specialist Fellowship FRCS in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery in 2011 from the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

In 2013, Ali completed a Fellowship in Adult Hip and Knee Reconstructive surgery at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

In 2014, he completed the Australian Orthopaedic Association accredited Adult Hip/Knee Arthroplasty, Knee Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Mater/Prince of Wales Hospitals, Sydney.

Professor Ghoz holds a Master of Science degree from Oxford University specialising in Musculoskeletal Sciences Specialist Interests Knee arthroscopic 'key hole' surgery | Primary hip replacement | Muscle sparing minimally invasive anterior hip replacement | Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction | Knee Ligament and Cartilage Reconstruction | Custom made Partial knee replacement | Custom made Total knee replacement | Computer aided surgery | Patellofemoral “knee cap” replacement | Soft tissue knee reconstruction surgery | Trauma Surgery | “Redo” revision hip and knee surgery | Carpal tunnel surgery | Trigger finger surgery | Ankle | Lower Limbs Professional memberships British Orthopaedic Association | British Trauma Society | Wolfson College, Oxford University | Academy of Experts | UK Register of Expert Witness | Royal College of Surgeons of England | Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh | American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons | Royal Australian College of Surgeons | Fellowship of the Australian Orthopaedic Association Personal Ali enjoys spending time with his family and regularly plays football with his son and also takes part in various sporting activities with his daughter.

Languages: English, French, Arabic and partial Spanish and Italian Professor Ali Ghoz has a wide range of expertise and conforms fully to the Ministry of Justice Standards delivering honest, clear, unbiased and high quality report assessments with timely turnaround of report writing.

• Minimally invasive surgery • Hip replacement: anterior & posterior • Hip resurfacing • Soft tissue hip disorders • Knee arthroscopy (key-hole surgery) • Knee replacement • Knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction • Knee ligament reconstruction • Knee high tibial osteotomy • Knee joint preservation surgery • Sports injuries • Carpal tunnel release • Trigger finger release • Major trauma • Minor trauma • Advanced trauma • Life support Professor Ali Ghoz offers his services across the UK. He speaks French and Arabic. He offers expertise for claimants and defendants and as a Single Joint Expert*. Professor Ghoz has attended court multiple times and has written well over 200 reports.

Professor Ghoz also offers skype examination appointments, prison visits, paediatrics/minors consultations. *A Single Joint Expert (SJE) is an expert instructed to prepare a report for the Court on behalf of two or more of the parties (including the claimant) to the proceedings.

Professor Ali Ghoz 02039 186747 | m. 07871 334929 ali@professoralighoz.co.uk | www.ghozmedicolegal.co.uk

DR IAN STARKE MD, MSc, FRCP. (Lond)

Consultant Physician Dr Starke has been a Consultant Physician in General Medicine, Medicine for the Elderly and Stroke Medicine at University Hospital, Lewisham and Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ School of Medicine since 1988.

Medico-legal Dr Starke provides expert reports in stroke medicine and geriatric medicine for medical negligence and fitness to practice cases and carries out examinations where required. He has provided reports for immigration cases and for fitness to stand trial. He is happy to assess clients within or outside London.

Memberships: Royal College of Physicians British Geriatrics Society British Association of Stroke Physicians Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses

For Further Information Please contact: Dr Ian Starke University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham High Street. London. SE13 6LH 0208 333 3379 | 0208 333 3381

Dr Kalman Kafetz BSc, MB BS, FRCP

Consultant in Geriatric Medicine

All Aspects Of Geriatric Medicine.

Dr Kafetz writes reports for solicitors on all aspects of the clinical medicine of old age including, but not confined to, falls, causes of fractures, pressure sores, confusion, cognitive issues, dementia, capacity, Parkinson’s disease in older people, rehabilitation, disability and appropriate care of older people in hospitals, care homes and in their own homes.

He advises for claimants and defendants and as a single joint expert and for the prosecution and the defence in criminal work. He advised the Crown Prosecution Service in the case of Ezekiel McCarthy, one of the oldest people to appear at the Old Bailey charged with murder.

He has attended the 2 day Royal Society of Medicine/BPP School of Health expert witness masterclass and the 2017 BMA medico-legal conference and obtained the Bond Solon Civil Procedure Rules for Expert Witnesses certificate.

He is a member of the clinical forensic and legal medicine section of the Royal Society of Medicine and the Faculty of Expert Witnesses.

07908 904462 | kalmankafetz@hotmail.com 22 Offham Slope LONDON | N12 7BZ

Mr. Ralph Graham FCPodS, FCPodM, BSc(Hons)

Consultant Podiatric Surgeon I have been a Consultant Podiatric Surgeon in Essex and Kent since 1985. I have now retired from the NHS but continue to offer care and surgery in private practice.

I have reported for both claimants and defendants in cases involving podiatric surgery, diabetes foot treatment, general podiatry and biomechanics of the foot.

Areas of expertise include; •

•

Hallux valgus ('bunion') • Plantar fasciitis • Shock wave therapy • Foot surgery • Forefoot surgery • Neuroma Bunion surgery for younger patients.

• The diabetic foot

I am happy to work within NHS Resolution report fees guidelines for short reports.

Training

Hons degree, Clinical Fellowship, 40 years practice

Expert Training

Trained in report writing, court appearance

Membership

Society Chiropodists & Podiatrists, College of Podiatry

Mr Ralph Graham M: 07850 898 385 E: ralph@ralphgraham.org Phoenix Hospital West Hanningfield Road Great Baddow Chelmsford Essex CM2 8HN

Mr Zak Rahman MBChB FRCS(GenSurg) MD

Consultant General and Laparoscopic Surgeon

Consultant HPB, Upper GI / Bariatric And Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon - Trust Specialty Training Director In Hpb Surgery & Transplantation Mr Zak Rahman has been an expert witness since 2009. He reports on over 100 clinical negligence cases per year involving his specialist areas of expertise.

Dr Rahman’s Areas of Expertise Include: • • • • • • •

General Surgery (Elective and emergency) Bile Duct Injury Gastro-oesophageal Surgery – Benign (hiatal hernia, reflux, achalasia), Malignant (Gastric) HPB Surgery (Pancreatic disease, cancer, bile duct injuries, cholecystectomy, trauma) Hernias – Open and Laparoscopic surgery – inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional Bariatric surgery – Gastric banding, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Bypass Laparoscopic Surgery

Mr Rahman can act on behalf of either claimant or defendant (ratio 50:50) and has experience acting as an expert for the General Medical Council (UK) , the Medical Defence unions and NHS Resolution.

He has extensive court room experience.

He has undergone the following training: • • • • •

Cardiff University (Bond Solon) Expert Witness Certificate Expert in Report Writing Cross Examination & Court Room Skills Civil Procedures & Law Invited speaker – AvMA, APIL, and Inspire MediLaw

Report turn-around time is 4-6 weeks from receipt of full instruction.

Mr Zak Rahman Royal Free Hospital Pond Street London NW3 2QG 02077940500 extn 34512. zak.rahman@nhs.net

AWARD NEWSLETTER 2019 Award for General Surgery Expert of the year 2019-2020

Mr Ashok Bohra

It Gives us great pleasure to announce that the Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses has announced this years Independent Awards and has profiled one of its members for their outstanding work with in their chosen specialty in this case Ashok Bohra General and Gastrointestinal surgeon from the Midlands.

This is for the lifetime of commitment he has given to the field of General and Gastrointestinal surgery to his patients and to the expert witness industry.

Please visit our brand new site

The Awards are independent to the Federation.

They are designed to raise the profile and highlight in our opinion the best in their given fields of expertise.

The Federation hopes to bring this to the attention of the lawyers and barristers that follow them on linked in and who visit their site and read their E-mag that can be viewed at www.forensicandexpertwitness. co.uk.

Mr Bohra has been working in the NHS since 1995. As a Consultant Surgeon he has interest in all aspects of General Surgery including surgical aspects of trauma, emergency surgery, hernias, minor operations, with special interest in key hole surgery, Bariatric and Upper Gastro Intestinal Cancer Surgery.

www.surgeonexpertwitness.co.uk/

He was a member of NICE Quality Standards Advisory Committee, Instrumental in drafting quality statements for 23 guidelines.

The OPD | Derby Private Health | Royal Derby Hospital | Uttoxeter Road | Derby DE22 3NE

Mr Ashok Bohra MBBS, MS, MPhil, MFSTEd, PG Dip (Clin Edu), FRCSEd FRCS (Gen Surg)

Consultant General, Laparoscopic & Upper GI Surgeon Mr. Bohra has an active interest in medico legal work. He is based in Midlands and sees clients in Birmingham, Halesowen and Derby. He is aware of the requirements of Part 35 and Practice Direction 35, the Protocol for the Instruction of Experts to give Evidence in Civil Claims and the Practice Direction on pre-action conduct. He obtained the ‘Bond Solon Civil Procedure Rules for Expert Witnesses Certificate’ to evidence his understanding and compliance with the above requirements.

He has undertaken numerous courses and attended relevant conferences to keep himself updated in the field.

He has been providing medical expert witness reports over the last 8 years for law firms and agencies across the country. He is a member of the BMLS (Birmingham Medico Legal Society) and the National Expert Witness Agency (NEWA).

He has also worked for NHS LA and has been an invited speaker for NHS LA in the past.

Federation of

Forensic & Expert witnesses

Award 2019

Federation of Clients can be seen within a week and a detailed

He provides reports for a variety of General and Gastrointestinal Surgical cases, Accident claims, and Negligence claims. He has experience of providing report for claimants, defendants and joint representation and joint reporting.

report with a summary will generally be prepared Forensic & Expert witnesses

The medico legal interest in surgical issues includes medico legal reports, case management reporting, injury or trauma including hernia, accident claim, emergency surgery, medical errors, medical negligence, clinical negligence and accident claims pertaining to general health care, symptoms, major and minor general surgical procedures and complications, and subspecialty issues related to abdominal, laparoscopic, bariatric and gastrointestinal surgery.

within 2 weeks or sooner if required, after receiving all relevant documents and information following the instruction. Reports will be addressed to the court.

No conditional cases (where fee is dependant on outcome) are undertaken.

He regularly works with some of the top solicitors across the country and also with medico-legal companies.

For further information, ’Terms and Conditions’ and medicolegal appointments, please contact him directly through email, or the enquiry form on his website for his services as a medical expert witness.

To Instruct Mr Ashok Bohra please contact: 07812 112820 | 01332 783423 | enquiries@ashokbohra.co.uk | natalie.brealey@nhs.net Or visit the website at www.surgeonexpertwitness.co.uk/ BMI The Priory Hospital | Priory Road | Birmingham | West Midlands | B5 7UG

York YO19 6DN 07726 592 728 ridingforrehab@gmail.com www.ridingforrehab.com

EXPERT WITNESS Elizabeth is the UK’s only physiotherapist working in hippotherapy to have qualified as an expert witness.

She’s an active member of the Medico Legal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MLACP), demonstrating that she’s educated, trained and competent in the relevant justice standards, qualified in medico-legal report writing and maintaining CPD relevant to hippotherapy and riding therapy practice at the highest level.

Able to advise for both claimant and defendant, Elizabeth’s expert witness work includes short advice notes, desktop reports, condition and prognosis reports (Quantum) and physiotherapy needs reports in relation to hippotherapy and riding therapy.

Recent cases include adults with spinal cord injuries, children with cerebral palsy, victims of road traffic accidents and people with musculoskeletal conditions.

Riding for Rehab was founded by Elizabeth Beckerlegge, to provide a physiotherapy service to riders with a disability

Equine Facilitated Physiotherapy Does your client want to ride again after a serious injury?

Have you a client who needs hippotherapy to improve posture, balance or coordinated movement?

Do you have a client who has aspirations to become a paradressage rider?

Horse + Specialist Physiotherapist = A Succesful Combination!

TREATING THERAPIST

WHERE DO WE WORK?

After a thorough assessment, we’ll put together a bespoke riding or hippotherapy programme, with frequent reassessment and resetting of aims and goals plus regular updates to the case managers and solicitors involved.

Although based in Yorkshire, we have undertaken medico-legal work all over England, from Brighton and Dorset in the south to Lancashire and Northumberland in the north.

We accept instructions as treating therapist for clients requiring hippotherapy or riding therapy during the litigation process and provide treatment post settlement of a compensation claim. Clients are typically seen at a riding facility convenient to their own home. This is often a Riding for the Disabled Association group but can also be a commercial riding establishment or with a private riding instructor.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY “You have made a very positive impression on AD and he is very enthusiastic and confident to pursue riding therapy further” Occupational therapist for young man with C6 SCI, Leeds

“We made very substantial savings. Your input was invaluable in respect of that element of the claim” Solicitor for defendant following out of court settlement, Manchester

“It is great that Luke is responding and engaging so well with his hippotherapy” Case manager for 3 year old with cerebral palsy, Lancashire

Mr Andrew R H Grace MB BS, FRCS, FRCSLT (Hons), PGCME

Consultant Otolaryngologist I have over 30 years experience in medico-legal work as Consultant ENT Surgeon working in York.

Widely experienced in personal injury cases involving the head and neck. Particular interests in rhinology and laryngology including voice and swallowing problems.

Professional Memberships • • • • • • • •

GMC Revalidation 19th February 2023 MDDUS Medical Protection (No: M225880) Fellow Royal College of Surgeons of England member of the federation of forensic and expert witnesses member expert witness institute Cardiff University Expert Witness Certificate in Law 2018 Member association of personal injury lawyers Member UK register of expert witnesses

Medico-legal

With over 3 decades of experience in medico-legal work as a consultant ENT surgeon working in York, Mr Andrew Grace is widely experienced in personal injury cases involving the head and neck.

He has a particular interests in Rhinology and Laryngology including voice and swallowing problems.

Mr Grace is available to work throughout the United Kingdom and produces approximately 25 reports per year.

He is willing to act as a Single Joint Expert with his workload is currently split at a ratio of 70% claimant; 20% defendant; 10% joint, Mr Grace is willing to attend court and offers a 15 minute, free of charge, Lawyer consultation.

Nuffield Hospital York Haxby Road.

YORK North Yorkshire YO31 8TA 01904 715000 07710 646209 andrew.grace1@nhs.net www.medicolegalent.co.uk

Mr Brian Leatherbarrow BSc MBChB DO FRCS FRCOphth

CONSULTANT CONSULTANT OPHTHALMIC, OPHTHALMIC, OCULOPLASTIC OCULOPLASTIC & & ORBITAL ORBITAL SURGEON SURGEON Mr Brian Leatherbarrow was a consultant ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital specialising in this field from 1992 to 2014. He is now in full time private practice.

He has over 84 publications in the medical literature, 5 book chapters and is the single author of the textbook Oculoplastic Surgery (2nd Edition published by Informa in Dec 2010).

Mr Leatherbarrow has been preparing specialist expert witness reports since 1994.

He prepares 75-100 reports per year, for both Claimants and Defendants.

Reports are produced within 4-6 weeks of receipt of all relevant information

Medico Legal enquiriesplease contact Mrs Stephanie Mallon (PA) 07854 629 527 Or Visit

www.faceandeye.co.uk

EYELID SURGERY

ORBITAL SURGERY

EYELID & ORBITAL DISORDERS

Specialist in: Eyelid Surgery / Orbital Surgery / Eyelid & Orbital Disorders

Mr Leatherbarrow has specialist expertise in: • Complications of cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) • Eyelid reconstructive surgery • Ptosis surgery • Eyelid and orbital tumours • Eyelid and orbital trauma • Loss of an eye / socket reconstructive surgery • Thyroid eye disease • Watering eye problems

Memberships: • Fellow Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd) • Fellow Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth) • Member and President of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS) • Interspecialty member of the British Association of Anesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) • Member of the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ESOPRS) • Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) • Member of the Federation of Forensic and expert Witnesses

Ophthalmic Surgeon & Paediatric Ophthalmologist Mr Ian Simmons has been involved in medico-legal work since 2000 for both claimant and defendant and can also act as a Single Joint Expert.

His specialist areas of expertise include: • • • • • • • • •

General ophthalmology Neuro-ophthalmology Cataract Surgery Ocular Trauma Personal injury to the eyes Paediatric ophthalmology (any aspect) Adult squints & molitity problems Ophthalmic neuro-oncology Strabismus

Mr Simmons write between 150 and 200 personal injury and clinical negligence reports per year. His Claimant:Defendant split is approximately 60:40. He has acted as a SJE in complex multi-disciplinary trauma cases and children suffering peri-natal or birth-related injuries. He regularly attends meetings with counsel and appears in court between 4 and 6 times per year.

Mr Ian Simmons MBChB BVSc FRCOphth

Instruct Ian now: Spire Leeds Hospital Tracey Horne (Secretary) 0113 218 5940 i.simmons@nhs.net

Consultant Physician in General and Geriatric Medicine Dr Solanki is a part time NHS Consultant Physician based at Taunton and Somerset Foundation Trust, Musgrove Park Hospital and has 25 years experience as a Consultant Physician in Geriatrics and General Medicine.

He has been a Clinical Director at his NHS Trust and set up and led the osteoporosis service for Somerset. He was instrumental setting up and leading an award winning orthogeriatric (orthopaedic medicine for older people) service.

After initial training he specialised in geriatrics and completed a Master’s degree in Gerontology at King’s College London. His research interest is in vitamin D and bone disease.

In addition to his interest in bone disease, Dr Solanki also manages general medical and geriatric conditions such as falls and funny turns, TIA’s, strokes, Parkinson’s disease and memory problems. As a geriatrician he has an expertise in managing complex patients with multiple organ diseases.

Dr Tarun Solanki MBBCh MRCP MSc FRCP

Dr Solanki is passionate about patient safety and quality and has been a member of the Trust’s Quality and Safety steering group. He is Chair of the England Council the British Geriatrics Society.

He is keen on education and training and has been responsible for training specialist registrars in geriatrics and is an examiner for the Royal College of Physicians.

Dr Solanki has been undertaking expert witness work, including the preparation of medico-legal reports and appearing in court for the past 10 years.

2019

Federation of Federation of

Expert witnesses sic Forensic & Expert&witnesses 07568 907 192 | 0300 1311418 | taunton.enquiries@nuffieldhealth.com

Dr Katharine Winstone PHD, BDS

Expert Witness Qualifications: PHD (Doctorate - London University 1986), BDS (Batchelor of Dental Surgery London University 1980)

Details: I have been in general practice for 38 years and have a PhD in the Faculty of Medicine, London University.

I have regularly run courses for postgraduate dentists on Treatment planning and composites.

I have provided reports over 450 reports for both Claimants and Defendants for about 12 years; worked as a single Joint Expert, been involved in case conferences on many occasions, and given evidence at both the GDC and in the High Court in Dublin.

Training: Bond Solon Court Skills - 2009 London Bond Solon - Writing Expert Witness Reports - Manchester 2008 Cross Examination Skills – Bond Solon 2011 Certificate in Civil Procedure Rules - Bond Solon 2011 Bond Solon Expert witness Conference 2012, 2013, 2015 The Dental Protection Conference 2017

Membership: Royal College of Surgeons – Faculty of General Dental Practitioners British Society of Periodontology Vice-Chair Board of Trustees of Gravesend Grammar School Trust Trustee of the Kent Cancer Trust

Dr Katharine Winstone katharinewinstone@mac.com

Dr B David Cohen Specialist Endodontist and Accredited Expert Witness

PhD MSc BDS MFGDP LDSRCS CUEW MEWI CertMR

I have now been preparing expert witness reports for over 20 years, having prepared over 1000 of them. Most of these have been completed in the last 7-10 years since the Woolf reforms, and following my formal training on the Cardiff University Expert Witness Certification course.

I am trained to be involved in acting as an expert witness on behalf of the court, appointed by either claimant or defendant, and as a single joint expert. My training and experience also include court/ tribunal procedures, and cross examination.

Endodontics clinical negligence My specific area of expertise in clinical negligence cases is that of endodontics (root canal treatment/ therapy). I have prepared reports for both claimants and defendants

Personal Injury Cases

Dr Cohen prepares condition and prognosis reports for facial and dental injuries caused by:

• Accidents • Slip and trips • Road traffic accidents • Accidents at work • Sports accidents • Endodontic problems inc. clinical negligence DENTO-LEGAL SERVICES 122 Hilton Lane Prestwich Manchester M25 9QX dento-legal@endodontistmanchester.co.uk www.endodontistmanchester.co.uk Phone: 07000 665277

Mr. Robert Hensher FRCS FDSRCS

Consultant Oral & Maxillo-Facial Surgeon

Mr. Robert Hensher has undertaken broad training in orthopaedics, casualty, general and vascular surgery and held Senior Registrar positions at Westminster & Queen Mary’s Roehampton Hospitals, and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children together with University College Hospital.

He was employed in the role of Consultant Oral & Maxillo-Facial (OMF) Surgeon to Gloucester Cheltenham & Cirencester Hospitals in 1986 – 2000.

Whilst in this role, Mr. Hensher had a special interest in jaw surgery and pioneered TMJ Replacement, for which he now has a national and international reputation.

Mr. Hensher has written chapters in standard text books and numerous professional papers and was one of the first non-American Surgeons to be invited to join the American Society of TMJ Surgeons.

In a recent interview, Mr. Hensher explained that: “experience is vital as one’s advice and opinions improve in depth and veracity with repetition and learning. Qualifications give access to posts in the training grades and indicate the level of professional education obtained; however they do not indicate the experience an individual has gained.”

Mr. Hensher attends court as an Expert Witness relatively infrequently at present, about once or twice a year, although this is increasing. He accepts instructions which require him to examine and report on patients about equally for prosecution, defence and on a single expert basis.

“Early engagement of an expert usually saves time and money,” explained Mr. Hensher. “Of course, discussion may subsequently take place, but a senior opinion at the outset sets the tone and (should raise) the relevant points.”

A

• • • •

M B S

As an expert, Mr. Hensher has received instructions and reported on the following example cases: • • • •

Failed TMJ Prostheses; joints were constructed by the inserting surgeon.

Failed bone grating and TMJ prosthesis post trauma.

Death by post operative haemorrhage (HM Coroner’s Inquest).

Death post cancer resection (HM Coroner’s Inquest, scheduled for Dec 2015).

Mr. Robert Hensher is a founding member of The Association of Dental Implantology and The British Association of TMJ Surgeons. He is also a member of The American Association of TMJ Surgeons and a Fellow to The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

The Hospital The King edward vii Beaumont Street London W1G 6AA 02074673236 For further information, please call Mr. Robert Hensher on 02074673236, email medico legal enquiries to roberthensher@kingedwardvii.co.uk / jackiesorrell@kingedwardvii.co.uk

Professor Paul Tipton B.D.S., M.Sc., D.G.D.P., UK Specialist in Prosthodontics & Expert Witness London | Manchester

Professor Paul Tipton is a leading authority in UK Dentistry.

Regularly featured in the Dentistry’s Top 50 Most Influential People in Dentistry, he has been a pioneering figure in the industry. In addition to being a specialist in Prosthodontics since 1999, he has been in private practice for over 30 years and is currently Clinical Director of T Clinics in Manchester and London. A keynote speaker at dental conferences around the world, Professor Tipton has lectured at home and abroad throughout his professional life including Australia, the US, Dubai, South Africa, Singapore and India. He is the founder of Tipton Training Ltd which has seen over 3500 UK dentists pass through many of his one year courses in Restorative, Aesthetic and Implant Dentistry.

Professor Tipton has assembled a team of dental expert witnesses who work with him at T Clinics nationwide. All areas of Dentistry are covered including General Dentistry, NHS and Private, Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry, Implantology, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontics and Endodontics. Experts range from experienced Private Practitioners to those with Masters degrees that limit their practice to special areas of Dentistry, to Specialists, Consultants and Professors and span across the whole of the UK. All experts write the highest quality of reports in all fields ranging from Personal Injury to Road Traffic Accidents to Clinical Negligence.

07786327978 | becky@drpaultipton.co.uk www.drpaultipton.com | www.tclinic.co.uk 1.

Throughout your years of experience as an expert, what common mistakes do other dental professionals make which does have the potential to lead to losses: Most of the common negligence cases that we see in dentistry are to do with periodontal disease and lack of diagnosis and lack of treatments which has in turn led to tooth loss and then the need to replace the teeth, usually with dental implants. Dental implants are a very costly treatment and usually not available in the health service and often should the negligence have led to loss of many teeth then treatment cost can be in the region of £50,000 in order to replace these missing teeth with implants.

The second most common cause of negligence is then due to tooth extraction where it has not been explained to the patient that there are other options which could lead to the tooth being saved. The patient is then not fully informed of other treatment options and if they had been fully informed they would have taken another route which would have led to the tooth being treated. Again, once the tooth has been removed the usual replacement is with the dental implant and a single tooth replacement is often in the region of £3,000 to £4,000.

The newer types of dental negligence which we are seeing more and more is to do with complex treatments for which the dental practitioner is either inadequately trained or he has not given the patient a reasonable estimate of the costs and the outcome together with the pros and cons of such treatment. Here the more expensive treatments include dental implants, cosmetic dentistry with veneers, etc., and also short-term orthodontics.

Patients are very often disappointed when having veneers or crowns placed that the end result does not match their expectations which can again then lead to a claim. Most dentists often do not complete enough diagnostic work in advance of treatment so that the end result can be easily previewed by patients and amended as required.

Dental implants have a failure rate and this is often overlooked when placing dental implants. The expected failure rate has always been in the region of 5% in the lower jaw and 10% in the upper jaw. More recently, however, there is peri-implantitis disease which has led to an increase in the failure rates in some patients.

Again this is often overlooked during the treatment planning stage. The patients are on the assumption that their implants will last them a lifetime.

Short-term Orthodontics can not only improve the patient’s appearance but can also provide problems with the patient’s bite in the long term and this can lead to claims due to poor function or to problems with the bite leading to problems with the temporomandibular joints and treatment being required in order to treat the temporomandibular joints.

2.

How have you seen dental education change over the years? Do you think that this has affected the occurrence of legal cases?

Dental education has changed massively over the years and I have been involved in it very closely with my company Tipton Training. We have trained dentists over the last 20 years both in the UK and abroad in some of the complex issues of the newer techniques in dentistry. Due to government cutbacks and lack of funding, often now some of the newer graduates are graduating from dental school without basic knowledge and without having performed some of the basic dental tasks in sufficient numbers to be proficient. This then leads to a lack of confidence on the dentist’s part which can be reflected in the quality of treatment that is provided.

3.

How would you deal with negligence, whiplash and general accident cases differently? Do any of those have different requirements when producing a medicolegal report?

Negligence cases take the most amount of time and are often very, very complex involving multiple dentists over a period of time during which the patient was treated. This is especially so in the area of periodontal disease where lack of care, lack of treatments and diagnoses may have been going on for a decade or more and the patient has seen multiple dentists or who have continued to non-diagnose the disease process and to not treat it which is kind of complex then to apportion the negligence percentage to each of the dentists involved in the case. The most important factor which is often overlookedby some experts is the issue of causation and understanding that it is then not enough just to deal with liability for the case to have merit. General whiplash and accident cases are far more easy and are reflected in the fact that the reports are cheaper to produce and are often of a more factual nature.

4.

What advise do you have for solicitors when choosing dental experts?

The choice of dental expert should be based on the understanding and knowledge of their field and certainly, expertise should be of a minimum an established private practitioner who has over 10 years of general dental practice. Alternatively, dentists who have gone on to have further education in a particular field, such as Master’s degrees or Specialists in Periodontics, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, General Dentistry and Implantology, and finally to Professors or Consultants when required. It is also important to have continuity when choosing an expert and knowing that they have been through adequate training in the expert witness field and have enough experience in that field to write reports which are legible, easy to read and precise, and that they understand a basic knowledge of the legal system so as to help the court reach its opinion if required. I would also suggest that having a nationwide panel of experts who are all trained to the same standard and degree and whose reports have a similar if not identical makeup makes life easier for the solicitor and barrister when dealing with a large number of cases. We at LegalMEx employ experienced general dental practitioners, dentists with Master’s degree in their chosen field, Specialist Consultants and Professors in all areas of general and specialist dentistry and also on a nationwide basis so continuity is guaranteed.

5.

Tell me about your specialism of Prosthodontics.

I am a Specialist in Prosthodontics and also a Professor of Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry in the City of London Dental School. Prosthodontics is that speciality which deals with the replacement of teeth and this can be via crowns, veneers, bridges and implants. Restorative dentistry entails not only prosthodontics but also periodontics, prosthetics and endodontics and cosmetic dentistry includes aesthetic dentistry and again veneers, crowns, implants, bridgework, all of a cosmetic nature. Prosthodontics would also include treatment of the temporomandibular joints and bite. This treatment is often wholly performed by dentists who have inadequate training in the field of occlusion(bite). Being a specialist in Prosthodontics and a Professor of Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry gives me an overall view of all the fields involved in Restorative, Cosmetic and General Dentistry which is essential when writing reports and coming to opinions as to plans and treatments.

MR NIKHIL SHAH FRCS(Tr & Orth) FRCS, MCh(orth), MS(orth), DNB(orth) MBBS

Consultant Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgeon Wrightington Hospital Mr Nikhil Shah can act as an expert witness in personal injury and clinical negligence cases, taking instructions from either claimant or defendant or as a Single Joint Expert.

He can provide medico legal reports for personal injury claims involving: •Trips and slips • Whiplash • Ankle, knee and hip fractures, lower limb injuries • Pelvic and acetabular fractures •Long bone and articular fractures •Soft tissue injuries • Low velocity impact cases

Mr Shah can provide clinical negligence related reports in his specialist areas of expertise concerning: • Primary and revision hip and knee replacements • Pelvic and acetabular fractures • Long bone and periarticular trauma

T: 0161 393 3059 E: Nikhil.shah@consultantcare.com

Mr Nikhil Shah, c/o Consultantcare Ltd, Riverside Centre, Alexandra Hospital, Mill Lane, Cheadle, SK8 2PX

Dr Megan Emma Smith LLB, MBBS, FRCA, Barrister

Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Megan Smith is a Consultant Anaesthetist at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, one of the UK’s leading major teaching hospitals.

Dr Smith qualified as a doctor in 2003 and began her career in anaesthesia in 2006. She has been a consultant anaesthetist since 2015. She specialises in Regional anaesthesia (in particular, single shot peripheral nerve blockade and peripheral nerve infusion catheter insertion), trauma and orthopaedics, hand trauma, general and colorectal surgery, vascular surgery, renovascular (in particular arteriovenous fistula formation), renal surgery (including renal cancer and transplants), laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery.

LEGAL EXPERTISE Prior to studying medicine, Dr Smith was a practising barrister. She gained a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B) in 1993 for which she was awarded First Class Honours.

She attended the Inns of Court School of Law in London between 1993 and 1994 where she completed her Bar examinations. She was called to the Bar of England and Wales in October 1994.

Dr Smith has been awarded a number of scholarships and prizes by The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn for both her pre-pupillage and pupillage years. These include the Thomas More, Hardwicke and Shelford Scholarships. She also received numerous subject prizes during her LL.B (including for Medical Law and Ethics) as well as prizes for overall excellence in Part I and Part III examinations.

Dr Smith practised as a barrister specialising in property, contract, commercial, landlord and tenant and insolvency law. In addition, she acted for plaintiffs and defendants in professional negligence cases. She appeared regularly in the County Court and High Court.

She is entirely comfortable taking responsibility for the conduct of cases with serious outcomes for clients/patients and is highly skilled in relation to the following:

* Rapid, forensic analysis and assimilation of complex subject matter * Public speaking and thinking quickly on her feet, particularly in court * Assessment of likely examination and cross examination subject matter * Clear, accurate written presentation including the drafting of witness statements, affidavits, legal opinions and pleadings, as well as investigation reports * Time management: prioritisation of tasks, working under pressure of time and working to strict deadlines * Client communication and management and conduct of client consultations * The conduct of formal negotiations on behalf of clients 19 Meynell Gardens LONDON E9 7AT

Dr Smith retains a keen interest in medical law and is a member of the Medicolegal Society.

She is a member of the Royal Free Hospital’s Serious Incident Review Panel and has conducted investigations into serious incidents that have occurred within the Trust.

Areas of Expertise: • General anaesthesia for major adult surgery.

• Regional anaesthesia (peripheral nerve blockade incl use of peripheral nerve catheters).

• Orthopaedic anaesthesia.

• Neuraxial anaesthesia for adults (spinal, epidural, combined spinal and epidural).

• Anaesthesia for plastic surgery.

• Anaesthesia in trauma patients.

• Airway management and problems with airway management (incl dental damage).

• Acute pain management.

• Care of the acutely unwell adult surgical patient.

• Awareness under anaesthesia.

• Allergy and anaphylaxis.

• Intra-operative care (incl patient positioning).

• Law and practice relating to anaesthetic consent.

• Invasive monitoring (incl arterial line insertion and central venous cannulation).

020 3663 3367 | 07525 432915 | megan.smith16@nhs.net | www.drmegansmith.com

Dr Piotr Buczkowski FRCA, FFPMRCA

Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine Consultations in English and Polish.

• • • •

Dr Buczkowski works as a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine at:

Nuffield Derby Hospital Nuffield Leicester Hospital Spire Leicester Hospital Spire Nottingham Hospital.

Specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal (neck and lower back) pain including neck injury related headaches.

His clinical interest also includes: • • • • • •

Chronic pain management Pain after injuries and RTA's Whiplash Complex regional pain syndrome (causalgia, RDS) Neuropathic pain, Pain after limb injury - including hand and foot injuries.

Training: • Medical Degree from the Medical University Gdansk, Poland 1992, • Full Anaesthetic and Pain Medicine training in the UK, • FRCA (London) 2002, FFPMRCA 2007

Memberships include: • International Spinal Intervention Society • International Association for the Study of Pain • Royal College of Anaesthetists

Dr Piotr Buczkowski

Spire Leicester Hospital | Gartree Road | Leicester | LE2 2FF Secretary Tel: (0116) 265 3656 | admin@dr.buczkowski.co.uk

Phil has been director of Psychologica Ltd for over 20 years. He is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist with considerable experience addressing a range of human factors, within organizations of all types and sizes.

These include issues such as: • bullying in the workplace; • stress management, • leadership coaching and development; • staff assessment and selection; • and facilitation of organizational change.

Phil has been Managing Director of both large and small commercial companies before developing an interest in Organizational Development. Gaining a PhD in Psychology and Marketing – in the area of Service Quality and Leadership Style.

He is actively involved in research, and has published various articles and papers in respected journals and presented findings at international conferences, relating to the unique Psychologica Model™ which forms a basis for much of his work.

Psychologica works with both commercial organizations and private individuals, focusing on maximising effectiveness and well being in the workplace. The company offers a range of tools and services and have the capacity to manage projects of all sizes, using our partners and associates and drawing on the Psychologica Practitioner network and their diverse range of professional skills and expertise.

• • • • • • • •

Coaching Stress Management Bullying & Harassment Staff Selection Leadership Development Research Expert Witness work and reports GDPR Compliant

Dr Phil Bardzil “Over the years the Psychologica ModelTM and associated tools and techniques, have been used in a wide range of organizations of all kinds”

0161 883 2879 info@psychologica.co.uk www.psychologica.co.uk 26 Albert Street Ramsbottom Bury Lancs BL0 9EL

Dr Krishma Jethwa MBChB | MRCPsych | MMedSc | LLM (Mental Health Law

Psychiatric Reports I aim to provide prompt psychiatric reports to the highest professional standards for both Criminal and Civil Courts. I can assess clients nationwide including at my offices in Birmingham, solicitors offices throughout the country, prisons or at psychiatric hospitals.

Criminal Cases

Within criminal cases I can prepare reports in order to assess for the presence of mental disorders such as depression, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorder as well as other conditions including co-morbid alcohol and substance misuse disorders. I can assist with the assessment of fitness to plead and stand trial, psychiatric defences, risk assessment and sentencing recommendations. I also have experience of providing oral evidence within Court. Within criminal cases I would require a letter of instruction, charge sheet / indictment, witness statements, copy of relevant exhibits, PNC print and any other relevant documents or reports already prepared as well as a copy of the patients GP/ Health Records.

Civil Cases

I am happy to prepare psychiatric reports within civil cases where there is a need to assess for the presence, severity and effects of mental disorder following traumatic events such as a road traffic accident or personal injury. In order to prepare a psychiatric report within such cases I would require a letter of instruction which could be from either party or jointly, relevant case papers and a copy of the patients GP / Health records.

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

I have co-authored the following publicatons: • Diminished Responsibilty and Alcohol. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. (2010) • Letter about European Community Driving License published in the 30: 36. Psychiatric Bulletin. (2006).

• Admission physical examinations performed within the settings of the medium security. 9: 15. British Journal of Forensic Practice (2007).

• The effects of a crisis resolution and home based treatment team upon inpatient admissions. 31: 170-172.

Psychiatric Bulletin (2007).

• Careers in Forensic Psychiatry, 133-134, 7th. BMJ Careers. (2006).

• Teaching Forensic Psychiatry with Problem Based Learning. 29: 283. Medical Teacher (2007).

• Community Treatment Orders. 337: a613. British Medical Journal (2008).

Contact and instruct now at: 38 Harborne Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 3HE

07702 088 878 krishmajethwa@gmail.com www.krishmajethwa.com

Ms Mair Edwards B.A., B.Sc (Anrh/Hon), D. Clin.Psy, HCPC

Chartered Clinical Psychologist Dr Mair Edwards is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology who has specialised in the area of parental mental health, child behaviour problems, and parenting skills.

She received specialist training at the University of Tennessee in the observation, coding, and assessment of parent-child interactions, and specialist training in the assessment and therapy of child behaviour problems at the Bangor Child Behaviour Project, University of Wales, Bangor.

Until September 2001, she was employed as a Clinical Psychologist within NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams in the North Wales area. Concurrently, from 1999 until September 2003, she held an academic appointment as Teaching Fellow in the School of Psychology, Bangor University, where she remains an Honorary Lecturer. She is often called upon to comment on psychological issues in the media.

Dr Edwards provides psychological assessments, training, and consultation to a wide range of private and public sector organisations and authorities, and accepts instructions for psychological reports in proceedings relating to children and young people and their parents. She also provides therapeutic services to children, young people, and adults.

All services can be offered in Welsh and/or English.

Membership: • Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS), • Member of the Division of Clinical Psychology and Faculty for Children, Young People, and their Families • Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

01248 715005 | post@cathcyf.co.uk | mairedwards@btinternet.com | www.cathcyf.co.uk

Dr Alfred White MD MBBS LRCP MRCS DPM FRCPsych Consultant Psychiatrist r Alfred White has over 35 years' experience acting as an expert witness including extensive court experience. He undertakes approximately 200 cases per year, taking instructions on behalf of both claimant and defendant and as a Single Joint Expert.

D

Dr White prepares reports on most aspects of psychiatry (excluding learning disability and child psychiatry) but specialises in:

• Trauma (personal injury) • Medical Negligence • Employment issues • Brain injury • Medically unexplained symptoms • Liaison Psychiatry (Hospital Conditions) His interest in trauma began with a research project in burns and other accidents (MD 1981) followed by research on the Birmingham pub bombings. His wide ranging experience also includes eating disorders, brain injury rehabilitation and liaison psychiatry.

Dr White is an examiner for the royal college of psychiatrists.

Dr Alfred White MD MBBS LRCP MRCS DPM FRCPsych Consultant Psychiatrist 17 Portland Road Edgbaston B16 9HN T: 0121 454 2217 07985 882 603 F: 0121 454 2217

General Adult Psychiatrist Dr Elena Daniela Herescu is a Consultant Psychiatrist based in Kent.

She currently works with the community mental health team in reviewing patients in the community; formalising treatment and management plans and assessing their risk and needs. She is on the S136 rota and attends daily screening meetings and reviews referrals from primary care.

Dr Herescu also has experience as a Consultant in Intellectual Disabilities on a low secure forensic unit for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems.

Dr Herescu is Section 12 approved, and is fluent in English and Romanian.

Expertise in:

General Adult Psychiatry | Complex Mental Health Problems | Assessments Adult Learning Disabilities | Alcohol Misuse | Depression | Anxiety | Personality Disorders Behavioural issues | Addictions | Forensic Psychiatry | Intellectual Disabilities Conflict Resolution | Conflict Management | Emotional Intelligence

Membership:

On the Specialist Register in the United Kingdom since March 2012, Registered with a Licence to Practice with the General Medical Council (reg. no. 7069812,) Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007), Member of the British Medical Association, Responsible Office for Cambian Group since September 2017

Contact and instruct Dr Daniela Herescu:General Adult Psychiatrist T: 07990 575153 | E: daniela_herescu@yahoo.com

Dr Marta De Madariaga Lopez BSc, MSc, DClinPsy CPsych AFBPsS HCPC registered

Consultant Chartered Clinical Psychologist MSc in cognitve neuropsychology.

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

BSc (Hons) Psychology with Computing Science

W

orking with Harmonia Psychology Solutions, Dr de Madariaga Lopez, Consultant Chartered Psychologist, specialises in conducting psychological and neuropsychological assessments, formulations and treatments of individuals and families nationwide.

She has extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of vulnerable adults in community and hospital settings. We receive instructions from solicitors, and provide specialist and comprehensive court reports and expert evidence.

Expertise:

* Dementia * Acquired Brain Injury * Chronic Pain * Trauma * Emotional Health (e.g. anxiety, depression, stress, bereavement, etc.)

Family Court Personal injury • Capacity • Differential diagnosis • Post-traumatic conditions • Cognition •

•

Cases:

Memberships include:

•

• Associate Fellow of the Br Psychological Soc (AFBPsS); Div of Clinical Psychology and Faculty for the Psychology of Older People of the BPS; BABCP; • BPS Dir Chartered Psychologists; • Health Professionals Council; • The Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses;

O3301330072 07941 993 762 info@harmoniasolutions.co.uk www.harmoniasolutions.co.uk

Dr Sunkanmi Osunsanmi Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist

MBBS, MSc, MRCPsych, Certificate in Family Law, Section 12 approved.

Dr Osunsanmi is a Consultant Psychiatrist based in Gloucestershire, his specialised area is Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

His duties involve providing psychiatric leadership and input to a specialist Child and Adolescent Mental health team. He also provides psychiatric input to a countywide Neurodevelopmental Clinic and a Schoolbased Learning Disability Clinic. In his role as a clinician, he has extensive experience of a broad range of psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental difficulties in both in and out-patient settings.

His experience includes; • Expertise in psychopharmacology • neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD. • Cognitive Behavioural therapy • Behavioural modification and therapy • Medico-legal writing for MHA tribunals and the court systems • Assessment of capacity and consent • Use of standardised Continuous Performance tool for assessing ADHD in children, adolescents and adults •Ffitness to plead/stand trial assessment.

Dr Osunsanmi has published a number of book reviews relevant to child and adolescent psychiatry and articles in relevant scientific journals on ADHD and learning disability in the child and adolescent population. He has also presented (both Oral and Poster presentations) at a number of national and international conferences.

Training

Completed the Cardiff University Bond Solon Certificate course on Family law and procedures, British Association for Psychopharmacology scholarship award to attend the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology- was one of 3 selected candidates across the UK for the 1st school of Child/ Adolescent psychopharmacology- 2012. Fully up to date with CPD activities with the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Membership

Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrist, membership awarded following success in the membership examinations (stages 1 and 2) in 2006. Registered with the General Medical Council, UK with full registration and on the specialist register of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. Section 12 (2) approved since 2006 and an Approved Clinician since 2010

The Devereux Centre Barton Road. Tewkesbury Gloucestershire GL20 5GJ 07785 785 647 osunsanmi@doctors.org.uk enquiries@edcapelimited.co.uk www.edcapelimited.co.uk

info@drrozhalari.co.uk | 01424 444130www.drrozhalari.co.uk | www.drrozhalari.co.uk

Consultant Clinical (Neuro) Psychologist I have experience of providing medico-legal reports in personal injury, capacity, accident trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, (neuro)psychological rehabilitation, work related stress, occupational injury, effects of medical negligence, and disability discrimination.

I specialize in neuropsychological assessment of cognitive, emotional and behavioral consequences of acquired brain injury in adults following road traffic accidents, assaults and assessment and diagnosis of ADHD and Aspergers and personality and risk assessments.

I undertake full educational assessments including assessment of such conditions as dyslexia and cognitive ability.

I have experience of preparing reports for family proceedings. My experience Includes: conducting psychological assessments, assessments of parenting, attachment, cognitive function, and risk (e.g. drugs and alcohol, domestic violence).

Specialists groups I work with include: Adolescents, Adults and older adults, adolescents, in patients and out patients, immigration and asylum.

I undertake risk assessments (HCR20 Version 3, START Assessments).

I have acted for both claimants and defendants and as a single and single joint expert.

Professional Skills •

Sept 2005 - Sept 2008: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London • July 2004 - July 2005: Diploma Clinical Hypnotherapy, British College of Clinical Hypnosis, London • Oct 1999 - Feb 2004: Doctor of Philosophy, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London • 1998 - 1999: MSc in Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, University of London

Membership of Professional Organisations Health Professions Council British Psychological Society • British Neuroscience Association • British Society of Clinical Hypnotherapy • Member of the Division of Clinical Psychology • The Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses •

Consulting at: Twickenham TW1 1EU 21 wimple street London W1G 8GG cardinal clinic in Windsor

•

Also

EXPERT IN MIND Astec House Sedlescombe Road South St Leonards on Sea East Sussex TN38 0TA

Dr Harsh Jhingan Consultant Adult Psychiatrist

MBBS, MD (Psych), MRCPsych, CCST 2003, Section 12(2)

Areas of Expertise include:

I am section 12 approved. I have done reports for personal injury, clinical negligence, fitness to plead, PTSD, capacity assessments, stress at work place, occupational health, alcohol and drug dependence cases and tribunals.

For more information please contact Mr Jhingan 07969 384997 | hpjhingan@yahoo.co.in

Dr James Craig MB, ChB, MPhil, FRCPsych

Consultant Psychiatrist Jim Craig has had a rewarding 32 year career in NHS General Adult Psychiatry, followed by 10 years as consultant in Alcohol and Addictions at Castle Craig Hospital, Borders, Scotland, an independent hospital for those with these problems.

Since 2005 Jim has had increasing involvement with medico-legal practice through Mental Health tribunals Scotland and Pensions Appeals Tribunal for Scotland (Veterans' appeals for war injuries); designated medical practitioner for Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland; and in last five years writing reports for VETS UK, CICA and legal representatives.'

• • • • • • • •

Dr Craig’s Areas of Expertise Include

General adult psychiatry.

Alcohol and addictions.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Mental capacity.

Fitness to plead.

Pre-trial and pre-hearing independent psychiatric reports.

Veterans mental health, e.g. reports for VETS UK. Personal injury (psychological) post-crime/trauma, e.g. for CICA.

87 Greenbank Crescent EDNINBURGH Scotland EH10 5TB

07895 178604 jimcraig@doctors.net.uk

Dr Naresh Buttan MBBS, DPH, DPM, DNB (Psy), CESR,Sec 12 (2) AC

Consultant Psychiatrist Tenacity Consulting Service Ltd PO Box 295, Glenfield Road, PLYMOUTH Devon PL5 9DB www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants

Areas of Expertise:

I specialise in general adult psychiatry and have been working a consultant in NHS since February 2008. I previously worked in Australia and India as a Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director since 2001.

My special interest areas are in transcultural psychiatry, asylum seekers and refugees’ mental health, impact of war, trauma and physical, emotional and sexual abuse on mental health, bullying and harassment at work and impact on mental health.

Also specialise in diagnosing and treating common and severe mental disorders such as: • ADHD. • Schizophrenia and psychoses including drug induced psychosis.

• Depression, bipolar mood disorders.

• Anxiety spectrum disorders including GAD, phobias, OCD and PTSD. • Dissociative conversion disorders.

• Eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

• Psychosexual disorders such as erectile dysfunction and impotency.

• Self-harming or suicidal behaviours.

• Personality disorders.

• Alcohol and drugs dependence.

Areas of Expertise: I’ve been working as a full time substantive Consultant Psychiatrist in NHS since Feb’08.

Previously, I worked as a Consultant, Clinical Director and Deputy Medical Superintendent in various hospitals in India & Australia since 2001.

I also specialise in using psycho-pharmacological (antidepressants, anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers) and psychotherapeutic treatments including CBT for mental illnesses.

I have provided Medicolegal Expert Witness Psychiatric Reports for over 50 cases to various legal firms and other organizations with high success rates. I’m able to see clients at mutually convenient places and times and provide time efficient high quality expert reports”.

I currently work in NHS contracted organization and also see patients privately at Harley Therapy Ltd, London and Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital by appointments in my private time. For medico-legal cases, please contact me by phone or email to arrange appointments.

Dr Abbas Lohawala Consultant Neuropsychiatrist

Dr Lohawala has practised as a psychiatrist for 15 years and as a Consultant Neuropsychiatrist for the last 7 years. He works across the spectrum of NHS, Independent sector and Expert Witness fields in Neuropsychiatry.

He has a unique blend of qualifications and experience with Postgraduate Diplomas in Neuropsychiatry and Holistic psychotherapies . He was the Medical Lead for St Andrews Brain Injury Services and has worked for major Neuropsychiatry providers including Cambian, Huntercombe and BIRT groups.

He runs an outpatient Neuropsychiatry clinic in the NHS in Birmingham and acts as a Visiting Consultant Neuropsychiatrist at PJ-Care, providers of specialist Neurological care in addition to Expert Witness work. His skills stand out in being able to work with Complex Care clients with combinations of physical, psychiatric and cognitive disabilities.

He works in the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence fields with 50:50 Claimant and Defendant instructions.

Areas of Expertise • • • • • • • •

Brain Injury- causation, severity and Post Concussion Syndrome.

Dementia -Early and Late Onset and Memory disorders in adults Alcohol induced Brain Injury and Korsakoff’s syndrome.

Somatisation, Conversion Disorders including Non Epileptic Attacks.

Huntingtons Disease Epilepsy and Sleep Disorders General Adult Psychiatric Disorders with combination of Physical, psychiatric and cognitive issues.

Capacity assessments for all above areas.

194 North Road Stoke Gifford South Gloucestershire BS34 8PH

0117 979 3773 07709 911052 abbas.lohawala@neurochambers.com www.mss-medicolegal.co.uk

Dr Nireeja Pradhan MBBS, FRCPsych, MA Medical Ethics & Law

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Pradhan assesses clients nationally and normally provides reports one to two weeks from assessments (urgent reports in 2 -5 days). She is regarded as a leading Expert witness in Psychiatry and assists lawyers nationally with free expert medico-legal advice and by making referrals to fellow high quality psychiatrists and other medical specialty experts based on draft letter of instructions. (Please email draft letter of instruction to info@drpradhan.co.uk for appointments and quotes).

Expert Witness Awards Winner:

Consultant Psychiatrist of the Year 2017

Lawyers can submit case details online for instant appointments and quotes on her website www. drpradhan.co.uk Telephone Dr. Pradhan on 0800 161 3395 for free medico-legal advice and appointments.

Dr. Pradhan has extensive experience in provision expert witness reports across all areas of law for over 15 years. She has earnt a strong reputation with leading barristers for her comprehensive reports and court attendances. She has vast experience in Fast Track and Multi Track Personal Injury cases involving assessing psychiatric injuries in historic child abuse, clinical negligence Inc. Birth Injuries, personal injury cases Inc. catastrophic RTA’s, complex cases and equality act assessments.

Dr. Pradhan was awarded as Consultant Psychiatrist of the Year at Expert Witness Awards 2017.

Dr. Pradhan was also awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists for her expert witness services and excellence in psychiatry.

Working in the inner-city area of Birmingham as the lead Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Pradhan has extensive clinical experience in patients with a range of complex mental health issues often precipitated by social factors. This highly relevant clinical expertise ensures that she is considered an appropriate psychiatrist to assess the General Adult population who may have suffered from sudden or past traumatic events whether mental, physical or emotional in civil and criminal matters.

Dr. Pradhan has been appointed on numerous panels in high profile cases as an expert and in high value and contentious cases involving numerous experts and court attendances where clients had been awarded record compensation.

Expert Witness Training: Dr. Pradhan has completed a comprehensive professional course in Medical Report Writing and Giving Expert Evidence in Court.

References from lawyers in Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, Abuse, Employment Family Cases available upon request.

PERSONAL INJURY & MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE CASES : • Birth Injuries • Road Traffic Accidents • Workplace Accidents • Trauma Sequelae • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Psychosomatic Disorders/ Munchausen / Malingering – fraudulent simulation or exaggeration of symptoms assessments • Psychopathology / Psychiatric Disorders • Anxiety Disorders / Depression / Stress Disorders • Psychiatry Injury due to Medical Negligence / Clinical Negligence • PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Criminal Injuries : Victims • Victims of Abuse including childhood abuse • Employment Tribunals / Equality Act / DDA • Medical Negligence / Clinical Negligence Inc. catastrophic injuries • Fitness to work/ Return to Work • Sexual Harassment, Bullying, Racial Discrimination • Psychiatric Injury ; Depression, Anxiety , enduring personality change • Trauma Sequelae • Psychosomatic Disorders/ Munchausen / Malingering • RTA’s and Accidents at work • Psychopathology / Psychiatric Disorders • Anxiety Disorders / Depression • Psychiatric Injury / Stress Related • Medical Negligence / Clinical Negligence • Military Claims : PTSD, Bullying, Abuse • Catastrophic Injuries • Assessment of Adults who suffered Childhood Injury

CRIMINAL LAW : • Pre-sentencing reports • Fitness to Plead and Stand trial • Risk assessments including Arson • Pre-sentencing Reports • Suggestibility • Loss of control • Hospital Orders • Diminished Responsibility / Intent • Sexual / Violent crime • Parole Board Assessments • Mental Health Review Panels • Personality Disorders • Personality Disorders/Psychoses • Dangerousness/Risk Assessment • Violence/Self Harm/Suicide • Offender Assessment • Witness Assessment/ Testamentary Capacity • Abnormal Behaviour • Mental Disorders • Psychiatric Rehabilitation • Rape / Sexual abuse • Crime Victims / Torture Victims • Child Abuse • Section 18, Section 37 • Arson Cases • Murder Cases

Expert Witness Consultant Psychiatrist of the Year 2017

Dr Nireeja Pradhan receives her award

Consulting rooms nationwide Contact: Dr. Pradhan Tel: 0800 161 3395 E: contact@drpradhan.co.uk W: www.drpradhan.co.uk

Psychiatry Experts Chambers House 75 Harborne Road Birmingham B15 3DH

EMPLOYMENT LAW :

• Work Related stress • PTSD • Fitness to Work / Return to Work • Employment Tribunals / Equality Act • Psychiatric Injury: Depression, Anxiety, • Sexual Harassment • Bullying • Racial Discrimination

FAMILY LAW :

• Assessment of parents in child contact and custody cases • Parental Psychiatric assessments • Risk Assessments / Domestic Violence • Mental Capacity Assessments

IMMIGRATION & ASYLUM CASES : Training Extensively trained and experienced in CPR quality Expert Witness Reports Expert Training Expert Witness Training Membership Sweet & Maxwell Checked, Expert Witness Institute, Society of Expert Witnesses, Medico-Legal Society and APIL, Member of European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, The Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses.

Dr. Pradhan offers free medico-legal advice and screening

Dr Pravir Sharma

FRCPsych DPM MSc MBBS Consultant Psychiatrist • 0121 227 0785 • 0121 227 0786 • 07747 563631 •info@privatepsychiatristbirmingham.co.uk • www.privatepsychiatristbirmingham.co.uk Dr Pravir Sharma specialises in mental health disorders in the elderly although he also has extensive experience of general adult psychiatry. He is experienced in assessing memory problems comprehensively and in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and difficult behaviours associated with it and other dementias.

He also has a special interest in treatment resistant anxiety and depressive illnesses.

Dr Sharma can act as an expert witness, including the preparation of medico legal reports and appearing in court, in personal injury and clinical negligence cases relating to these areas of expertise. He can prepare medico legal reports for road traffic accidents and other accidents in the work place as well as reports for employment tribunals.

Mental capacity: Dr Sharma has extensive experience of assessing capacity in complex cases where mental illness or memory disorders affect the person. He has prepared reports for the court of protection on matters concerning mental capacity, lasting power of attorney, testamentary capacity, capacity to make decisions concerning money affairs and care arrangements, and fitness to stand trial or follow court proceedings. He has extensive experience of the use of the Mental Health Act and is Section 12(2) approved.

Clinical negligence: Dr Sharma has experience of producing causation and condition reports in clinical negligence cases with respect to psychological injury and psychiatric illness. He does not take on paediatric cases involving children below 18 years of age and does not see clients for criminal court reports or forensic cases.

Dr Sharma can act on behalf of either claimant or defendant or as a Single Joint Expert. He is able to offer quick appointments and usually provides reports within 2-4 weeks of assessment.

Dr Sharma has consulting suites at: • Spire Little Aston Hospital, Little Aston Birmingham B74 3UP • Sutton Medical Consulting (Ashfurlong Surgery) 233, Tamworth Road, • Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham B75 6DX He can also see clients for medico legal report assessment at their homes.

Dr Sharma offers home visits for patients in the Midlands who are unable to travel.

The role of the psychologist in assessing offenders with neuro-developmental disabilities With

Dr Sharna Lewis BSc MSc ClinPsyD CPsychol HCPC Reg.

Chartered Clinical Psychologist

A substantial number of offenders will have a neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) that has either not been previously diagnosed or not been taken into consideration by the criminal justice system. Studies that have looked at screening and diagnosing male prisoners for neurodevelopmental disorders have reported a high proportion (51%) had not been previously diagnosed.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are brain based neurological conditions that include dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, Tourette’s syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disability (ID). These conditions are evident in childhood and are life-long and involve impairments in neurological functioning that can affect a person’s ability to process and remember information, to organize and plan, communicate, regulate emotions and attention and impact on an individual’s behaviour, educational, occupational and social functioning. Conditions often overlap and individuals can often fulfil the criteria for one or more NDD.

It is essential offenders with NDD are recognised and identified as early as possible during criminal proceedings given the potential role their condition may have in their defense, understanding of Court proceedings and mitigating circumstances at sentencing. All professionals working within the criminal justice system should have an awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions and how they might present. If it is suspected that an offender may have a neurodevelopmental condition then a full psychological assessment should be sought.

Once you are aware of the different conditions it is possible to recognise someone who may be presenting with NDD, it may be evident in your one to one interaction with the person or there may be clues in their developmental or personal history. Another clue may lie in the nature of the offence e.g. did the offence involve a lack of social awareness (autism) or impulsiveness and/ or lack of self-control (ADHD), lack of knowledge or understanding or was tricked or coerced (ID).

NDD’s are under-recognised in girls and women, in particular autism and ADHD and therefore women are less likely to be referred for assessment. They may be more likely to receive an incorrect diagnosis of another mental health condition e.g. bipolar disorder or emotionally unstable personality disorder.

This is due to the fact that females generally present differently, for example; women on the spectrum and (some males) may be good at masking and have good eye contact and non-verbal communication skills, females are more likely to have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and not present with the overt behavioural symptoms of restlessness and hyperactivity as observed in ADHD.

The role of the psyc with neuro-d

Box 1- Signs that someone may have Autistic Spectrum Disorder In a 1:1 interaction • Lack of facial expression, eye contact and non-verbal communication (e.g. hand gestures) • Monotone speech and lack of inflection • Excessive focus on detail, not good at summarising or knowing what information is important and un- important to the listener, difficulty giving concise answers to questions • Literal interpretation of language, not good at understanding metaphors, idioms, phrases of speech • Speaking too much or too little, lack of two-way conversation, misunderstanding what you say.

Personal history • May be academically very bright and have a university degree but struggles in the workplace • May report being bullied in school, difficulties making and keeping friends • May report having social anxiety or obsessive-compulsive traits (OCD) • May like to spend time alone, have unusual hobbies or a very restricted range of hobbies and interests, likes routine, structure and predictability • May have a lack of personal / intimate relationships • May report having another learning disorder such as dyslexia

Box 2: Signs that someone may have ADHD

A substantial number of offender In a 1:1 interaction neurodevelopmental disability (ND • Appearing restless or fidgety e.g. foot taping, fiddling, chewing gum either not been previously diagn • Difficulty concentrating on what you are saying, may ask for questions be repeated been totaken into consideration by • Easily distracted, looking around justice system. Studies that hav

screening and diagnosing male Personal history neurodevelopmental disorders hav • May report behavioural problems in school, may have a history ofhigh beenproportion suspended (51%) or expelled had not be • May report being emotionally reactive, quick to lose temper, easily frustrated, bored easily diagnosed.

• May report problems getting and keeping jobs • May report problems with impulsive behaviour, acting without thinking, lack of self-control Neurodevelopmental disorders (ND • May have a history of substance misuse, anxiety and depression based neurological conditions that incl • May report having another learning disorder such as dyslexia dyslexia, dyscalculia, Tourette’s syndr Deficit

Hyperactivity

Disorder

(AD

The make-up of Neuro-Diversity Dyscalculia

Dyspraxia / DCD

Dyslexia

chologist in assessing Neuro-Diversity offenders developmental disabilities Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) including Asperger’s Syndrome

AD(H)D

WithTourette’s Syndrome

Dr Sharna Lewis BSc MSc ClinPsyD CPsychol HCPC Reg.

Box Clinical 3: Signs Psychologist that someone may have ID Chartered In a 1:1 interaction • Poor eye contact, appears to not understand what you saying • Giving short or one-word answers or saying I don’t know, acquiesces, contradicts self • Struggles to give a detailed history about themselves • Struggles with facts and time lines, poor memory

Personal history • May report that they went to a special school or had support in a mainstream school, did not obtain any qualifications.

• Only had low paid, unskilled jobs, or not in employment • May have difficulties travelling or accessing the community independently • Limited numeracy and literacy skills, difficulties managing money • Relies on others for support with tasks e.g. understanding letters, cooking, shopping, domestic chores • Poor self-care and independent living skills • A lack of hobbies and meaningful day time activity rs will have a It is essential offenders with NDD are recognised • Limited insight into deficits DD) that has and identified as early as possible during criminal nosed or not proceedings given the potential role their condition Psychological assessment involves Advice and recommendations can be proposed in terms y the criminal may have in their defense,a understanding of detailedatdevelopmental history, description reasonable adjustments that need to be made or ve looked Court proceedings and mitigating of circumstances of current and howAllthis impacts opinion on how the NDD may have impacted on offending prisoners for difficulties at sentencing. professionals working within behaviour. the type and severity of the NDD a on areas of functioning (work, education, ve reported a the criminal justice system should have Given an social). Ideallyawareness information ofis neurodevelopmental also gathered fitness to plead/stand trial assessment may also need to een previously conditions from a secondary informant such as a be sought. and how they might present. If it is suspected parent or someone knows the person that anwho offender may have a neurodevelopmental well.

Standardised tools are used to carry Improving awareness and access to specialised DD) are brain condition then a full psychological assessment assessment is crucial and hopefully will result in out screening and diagnostic assessments lude dyspraxia, should be sought. increased recognition and identification of offenders with rome,depending Attention on which neurodevelopmental disorder is suspected. neurodevelopmental disabilities.

DHD), Autistic Once you are aware of the different conditions it

Dr Sharna Lewis BSc MSc ClinPsyD CPsychol HCPC Reg. Chartered Clinical Psychologist

References: J. McCarthy , E. Chaplin , L. Underwood , A. Forrester , H. Hayward , J. Sabet , S. Young , P. Asherson , R. Mills , D. Murphy . Screening and diagnostic assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders in a male prison. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 9 June 2015.

Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management, Clinical guideline [CG142] Published June 2012 Last updated: August 2016 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management, NICE guideline [NG87] Published date: March 2018 Last updated: September 2019

Dr Lewis first graduated from Aston University in 1996 with an Honours Degree in Psychology and went on to complete a Masters Degree in Health Psychology at Coventry University. Dr Lewis then undertook a 3 year Doctorate to train as a Clinical Psychologist at the University of Birmingham.

Dr Lewis has worked within the NHS for over 12 years and independently in private practice since 2009. She has extensive clinical experience within the areas of learning disabilities, child and adult mental health and neuropsychological assessment. Dr Lewis is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, a member of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy and a registered member of the Health Care Professionals Council.

DOVEHOUSE Psychology Services Dr Sharna Lewis

BSc MSc ClinPsyD CPsychol HCPC Reg. Chartered Clinical Psychologist Broad Oaks Health Clinic 394 Warwick Road, Solihull B91 1BB 0121 705 3509 07716846488 info@dovehousepsychology.com www.broadoakshealthclinic.com

Bernard J. B. Kat

BA, MSc, DipClinPsychol, CPsychol, FBPsS PROVIDING PSYCHOLOGY, PSYCHOTHERAPY & EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Registered as both a Health and Clinical Psychologist, Bernard Kat worked as a clinician and manager in the NHS for 28 years. In 2005 he formed his own company Psynapse (Psychological Services) Limited based in Newcastle upon Tyne.

He provides services as a Psychologist, a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist and as an Expert Witness throughout what he calls “the true North of England” i.e. from Northumberland down to Teesside in the East, across to Cumbria in the West.

A Cardiff University / Bond Solon certificated Expert Witness, Bernard is able to draw on the extensive 7 year training undergone by all clinical psychologists which includes the study of normal human development and functioning as well as specialist knowledge concerning mental health, disabilities and the problems of children and young people.

Bernard told us: “The philosphy component of my undergraduate degree has been particularly useful and taught me how to approach and write about complex problems. The psychology component emphasised the scientific and statistical skills on which my work is still based.”

As an NHS clinician Bernard specialised in work with general practitioners and community teams. This wide experience enables him to offer a rounded service as an Expert Witness.

He explained: “Throughout my career, in both my clinical and managerial responsibilities I was responsible for psychological services for clients of all ages and disorders.

My own cases were mainly working age adults. Many of my patients suffered from psychological disorders resulting from traumatic events and experiences. I was also involved with psychological aspects of primary health care, general medical services, acquired brain damage services, systemic approaches to relationship and organisational problems, as well as public health psychology.”

Bernard has seen many changes in Expert Witness work since 2005 owing to Government policies concerning funding: “I used to be instructed in criminal, family, personal injury and clinical negligence cases and I had Court experience in all of them. At present my Expert Witness work is primarily reports for the Court in criminal cases, initiated by the Defence. However Expert Witnesses do not act for either side. Psychologists’ reports are addressed to the Court and will very likely say the same whomever commissioned the report in the first place, so my reports are often accepted by the Prosecution and there is no need for me to attend Court. But I am fully aware of the formalities required when attending Court, which I do perhaps a couple of times a year on average.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Bernard Kat Psynapse (Psychological Services) Ltd Churchill House, 12 Mosley Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1DE Tel: 0191 230 6461 Email: b.kat@psynapse.co.uk Website: www.psynapse.co.uk

Graham Rogers

Consultant Psychologist and former Head of Service.

Consultant Psychologist with over 27 years’ fully qualified experience within Education, Health, Social Services and the Courts. Former head of department with responsibility for 18 fully qualified psychologists.

First gave live evidence as a professional witness in 1991. Has appeared as an expert witness providing live evidence at numerous courts, including The Central Criminal Court and The Central Family Court.

Graham Rogers and Associates Limited are experts in assessment.

• Adolescents and adults • Learning and intellectual disabilities • Mental Health • Special Measures • Fitness to plead • Immigration The courts have also sought our views regarding 'others' assessments.

Graham Rogers Associates Ltd

Extensive experience with adolescents and adults

"When selecting an expert, ask yourself if you want an expert in treatment, or assessment?"

“Treatment reflects one aspects of psychological practice, whereas assessment reflects another”.

Graham Rogers Associates Ltd 01279 301 676 07952 170 627 info@grahamrogers.org.uk www.grahamrogers.org.uk

FORENSICS INDUSTRY

E-MAGAZINE

AWARD NEWS

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AWARD 2015 It gives us great pleasure to announce that MIDLANDS PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES LTD has been chosen as this year’s winner of the coveted PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AWARD 2015, an independent Award Scheme sponsored by Forensic & Expert Witness E-Mag. In presenting this Award the team at Forensic & Expert Witness E-Mag were particularly impressed with the fact that Chartered Clinical Psychologist and founder of the company Dr. Dennis Trent, a Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, has been providing Expert Witness Reports for over 20 years dealing with Child Protection/Custody issues, Pre-Sentence Reports, Risk Assessments, Fitness to Plead, Learning Disabilities and other court related psychological assessments.

This Award Scheme was created in order to recognise those businesses and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their particular field. Forensic & Expert Witness E-Mag is always keen to bring attention to those who are providing a product or service that stands out from the crowd and deserves to be appreciated not only by its’ readers, but also by a wider audience.

Acknowledged both locally and nationally this Award is a milestone for Midlands Psychological Services Ltd and forms the final piece of the jigsaw that confirms the company's success.

Gains Recognition with Top Award On receiving this accolade Dr. Trent has this to say:

“All of us at Midlands Psychological Services are honoured to have received this award. It is the combined efforts of many who have made it possible and it is shared by all of us.”

Explaining the need for psychology in child protection Dr. Trent added: “It has often been said that the greatest asset of any culture is its children. To say that they are our future is like saying that day is light and night is dark. Someone who has been blind from birth may not understand that and it would appear that kind of blindness is more common than we would sometimes like to admit. The protection of children, while a widely recognised ideal, is often derailed by political and financial based decisions which are not in the best interest of our children.

Children tend to see the world in a markedly concrete manner. That is to say that in a child’s life there is black and white with little or no grey. Things are either good or bad, right or wrong with little ability to recognise nuances between the two extremes. If a child has done a ‘bad’ thing, it is easy for the child to assume that he or she is a bad person.

They also tend to take on responsibility for events and situations over which they have no control. Although they will often attempt to evade responsibility by denying an obvious action, they make connections which make sense at a concrete level, but which do not stand up to rational examination. “If I had eaten my corn Mum and Dad wouldn’t be fighting. If they weren’t fighting they wouldn’t be getting a divorce, therefore it is my fault they are getting a divorce” is a good example of concrete reasoning. It appears to be linear in that one leads to the next, but when examined the components, i.e., eating corn and getting a divorce, are very tenuously related at best.

In years of clinical practice I have never met a couple who divorced because the child did not eat their corn.

While to an adult it may be a flashpoint, to a child it is the reason.

Children rely on adults for their very existence.

We know that nurturing a child is essential to the development of the child. Shortly after World War II children in an orphanage were investigated because the infant nearest the door always did better than the others and it was not known why. When cameras were placed in the room it was noted that when the matron would turn out the lights at the end of the day she would reach down and caress the child nearest her before she left the room. Even a seemingly simple gesture as a passing caress is enough to have a positive impact on an infant’s life.

The primary damage, other than physical, of child abuse is a breach of the trust relationship between children and adults. When the very person a child relies on for safety, security and nurturing creates an environment which is not safe, secure or nurturing, the child will often take responsibility for having created that environment.

Anyone who has worked with abused children will recognise such statements as, “I deserved it”, “if I hadn’t....”, and “it was my fault”. These same statements are frequently heard when working with adult survivors of child abuse. If children cannot trust the environment, then when they become adults their ability to trust themselves as well as others is likely to be impaired, thus having a marked effect on both their self-concept and their ability to empathise with others.

Most parents recognise that it is important to have a consistent meal and bedtime schedule for their children. It establishes a structure within which a child can experiment and play, and forms the basis for the child’s sense of security and stability. When a child is abused there is little ability for the child to experiment or play as most of the child’s efforts will be directed at stabilising the environment and ‘pleasing’ the abuser in an attempt to avoid future abuse. This is likely to set a pattern for future behaviour as an adult. Since the individual sees little self value, efforts are often directed at gaining a sense of value from others, often by establishing a relationship to gain that sense of value. The problem is that people will not accept something they do not believe to be true, and therefore the individual will negate any value given by a partner. The lack of trust will cause a ‘testing’ of the relationship to find the breaking point and, when reached, another partner will be sought to gain the sense of value which was not obtained in the first relationship. As such, a pattern of unstable relationships follow, often with significant domestic violence inherent within those relationships.

Sex enters into the equation in that within the Western culture, sex is frequently seen as an indicator that emotional intimacy, acceptance, love and approval or value has been established. While the individual in almost all cases is searching for an emotional intimacy, that is acceptance and security, what is achieved is a physical intimacy devoid of the very thing being sought.

It is often seen by the individual that the answer to this dilemma of poor self-concept, lack of trust in others and feelings of estrangement is to have a baby. A baby is often viewed as someone who will love unconditionally and give worth to the individual.

The child is viewed as there for the parent, not the parent there for the child. What is not recognised is that within a poor relationship a child is demanding and an added stress. Now the pattern repeats as the parents are not receiving what they wanted from the child and the child is therefore often seen as the problem.

The problem is now exacerbated by taking the child out of the family and placing him or her in care, a process designed to protect the child. While it is understood that a social worker wants to progress a career, multiple changes of social workers only increases the instability in the child’s life. The same applies to Foster Parents. While there are many very good foster parents, children who have been taken from families present many problems for those foster parents who are less able or willing to deal with those problems.

Placement in multiple foster homes is not uncommon and again will be more damaging than helpful.

Unfortunately, there is no formal psychological assessment of potential foster carers or children’s homes workers and while experts in social care systems, social workers are not always best placed to assess the psychological make-up of parents who are very adept at covering over abuse and presenting themselves as caring individuals.

Enter the psychologist. Psychologists are extensively trained to make the assessment of risks to children.

With tested and proven instruments, many of which identify information the individual is not aware is being sought, the underlying risk presented by taking a child from a family unnecessarily, or placing a child into a high risk environment, often can be avoided. As fully independent experts we have the ability to view parents, children and environments from a completely objective viewpoint keeping the needs of the child paramount. We can make recommendations to the Court as to the needs of the child as well as ways in which the parent can improve themselves and their parenting skills in order to provide a more safe and secure environment for their child. We can assess the level of risk a parent or potential partner presents to a child. While past behaviour is a good indicator of future behaviour, it is not an absolute predictor. It is well accepted that the best place for a child is with the parents when that is safe and appropriate.

In conclusion Dr. Trent went on to say:: "Psychologists are best placed to help tease out that level of appropriateness.

They can also assist Social Services in assessing the appropriateness of potential foster carers and support social workers in working with both children and adults.

Most importantly, they can assist the Court to make a decision which is in the best interest of the child. Failure to do so will only build a significantly greater problem for the future. It is commonly accepted that the incidence of mental disorders in the prison population has markedly increased over the past years. The protection of children and early intervention facilitated by formal assessments of risk posed to them by parents, partners and carers is the first step in reducing, and turning around, a time bomb with huge personal, social and financial costs for the future."

For further information contact: Dr. Dennis Trent, MIDLANDS PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

Tel: (0121) 224-3051, Fax: (0121) 224 3252, Email: mps@midpsych.co.uk Website: www.midpsych.co.uk

Dr Nick Cooling Consultant Psychiatrist MBBS, MRCPsych, Dip Clin Psych

My career as a full-time Psychiatric expert began with three disasters: Hillsborough, The Bradford Fire Disaster and The Sowerby Bridge Disaster.

The Hillsborough Disaster was extremely traumatic for family members, as the whole unfolding disaster could be seen on television. I remember watching the match in my

living-room and coming to the realization that there were going to be multiple fatalities. Subsequently, as psychiatric expert for one of the families, I saw a large quantity of forensic evidence, post mortem evidence and police statements on blank sheets of paper! Over subsequent years, it became increasingly apparent that there was a credibility issue which was on-going.

The family members were further traumatized by their sense of injustice and failure of closure. There was mounting anger regarding the lies and dishonesty displayed by some of the police officers.

In later years I have provided evidence for multiple terrorist events. The Omagh Bomb case was a legal landmark because it was the first time that victims, families and survivors sued the alleged perpetrators for damages and won their civil case. The case went to a full hearing, but I was the only psychiatric expert.

No defendant expert was appointed.

The Childers Fire Disaster in Australia provided me with useful experience of an horrific fire-setting event which caused multiple fatalities amongst international backpackers staying in a hostel. I assessed the Dutch victims in Amsterdam, after their return from Australia. I was the single named expert.

Of course, not all my work involves major disasters and terrorist events. I also carry a large case-load of road traffic accident victims, workplace accidents and victims of emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

Assessing multiple victims for the Irish Redness Board was particularly challenging.

My Experience of the Interface Between Serious Personal Injury Cases and Psychiatry:

Lessons Learnt in Twenty-Five Years For legal practitioners and my fellow psychiatric experts my key learning experiences have been in the following areas: 1.

The types of psychiatric injury that are common in serious personal injury cases:

Depression, anxiety, specific isolated phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, somatic symptom disorder, obsessional presentations, adjustment disorder and substance-abuse are frequently identified. Previous psychiatric vulnerability is an important factor which shapes the psychiatric manifestations and consequences of trauma. Psychologically robust individuals may have very little in terms of mental health consequences, even in the face of prolonged torture or almost unimaginable horror. The medico-legal assessment provides a unique opportunity to gain insights into how the long-term mental health of the individual may have been impacted. Often, the assessment uncovers psychological disorder which has never been recognized at the primary or secondary healthcare level. Medico-legal psychiatry can provide an entirely new perspective in terms of diagnosis, causation, prognosis and treatment. My work as a Panel Member for The South East Fermanagh Foundation, providing support and treatment for victims of terrorist events has provided me with further insights into the longterm social and community impact of such events.

2.

Issues relating to timely psychiatric diagnosis, early treatment and the effect that early psychological treatment may have on long-term prognosis:

In primary healthcare a significant proportion of cases of depression are never diagnosed. Victims of road traffic accidents often present with traumatic stress and phobic anxiety, but diagnoses are often missed, meaning that symptomatic chronicity becomes an issue, with significant impact on social and family life, occupational functioning and overall quality of life.

It is well-recognized in clinical practice that up to 20% of cases of depression may approach chronicity and people may be left with residual symptoms, even if remission has taken place. Modern antidepressant treatment and cognitive-behavioural therapy can be very effective in terms of reducing the length of depressive episodes. Maintenance prophylactic treatment may reduce future recurrent episodes.

Routine NHS healthcare may miss important psychiatric presentations which follow trauma and personal injury cases may provide a different route to obtaining accurate diagnosis and then appropriate treatment.

The modern civil litigation process now provides an additional opportunity for victims to access effective treatment. This can be life-changing In my experience, even in cases of historical trauma, the medico-legal process, challenging and traumatic as it can be, may well provide a pathway to receiving effective treatment, achieving a sense of closure and finality.

Victims of road traffic accidents and industrial injuries may well be able to access effective psychotherapy in a timely fashion, without languishing on an NHS waiting-list!

Experts are required to provide joint statements of areas of agreement and disagreement. The opportunity of having the diagnostic understandings of two experts assists the Court, but it can also assist and inform clinical understanding, providing a potential pathway for best-practice treatment and ultimate recovery.

Experts have an important opportunity for improving and enhancing psychiatric prognosis, even in severe and difficult cases.

3.

The influence of the litigation process on the psychiatric/psychological injury:

There is often an assumption that the litigation process is anxiety-provoking and traumatic for the Claimant.

Certainly, prolonged litigation can be very dispiriting for individuals, but effectively managed litigation, with prompt access to expert opinion can be very helpful. Legal practitioners need to be aware of their role in terms of assisting the identification of accurate medical diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Providing regular feedback to claimants and being proactive in terms of moving cases forward towards settlement can be a very helpful process. The process can be greatly assisted by the development of a good dialogue between legal practitioners and their chosen experts. This can transform outcomes. The provision of information for claimants and managing expectations is very important. Well-conducted cases may well produce much better outcomes from the medical perspective, reducing long-term psychiatric/psychological morbidity.

4.

The need for Insurers to agree and facilitate requests for early treatment in order to improve the outcomes for claimants:

Given the fact that psychiatric chronicity can have such a negative impact on individual functioning, Insurers have a particularly important role in terms of identifying and facilitating treatment pathways. In terms of psychiatric conditions, this may well reduce the ultimate level of exposure financially, as well as achieving fair and helpful outcomes for concerned individuals. Similar gains can also be identified in Orthopaedic and Pain Management cases.

5.

Picking the right expert:

Psychiatric experts may have an important role in terms of how a PI case develops and unfolds. One size of expert rarely fits all. Careful research of an expert’s curriculum vitae to ensure that they have the relevant expertise and up-to-date practice is very important. In my opinion a particular thing to watchout for is a balanced practice, being instructed by Defendants and Claimants in roughly equal measure.

Picking an expert with an unbalanced practice can be fraught with dangers. In the field of serious personal injury cases, previous track-record and experience is very important in terms of producing an accurate, well-evidenced diagnostic formulation, assessment of causation and a convincing prognosis, with advice regarding best-practice treatment.

My long involvement in medico-legal psychiatry has given me a particular interest in social history. My book Twelve Shaldon People was published last year. This year I am working on Twelve Teignmouth People and Twelve St David’s People. Publishing local social history can have a powerful influence on community cohesion and understanding.

Dr Nick Cooling MBBS, MRCPsych, Dip Clin Psych Consultant Psychiatrist With grateful thanks to Abraham Kallis of Chris Kallis Solicitors for support and advice Shaldon, Devon March 19

01626 873 466 | 07976 797 017 | nickcooling4@aol.com

Joanne Caffrey

Expert Witness

I am an Expert Witness for ‘Safer Custody’ and the management of challenging behaviour & use of force. The main sectors I work with are the custody (prison and police) and education sectors. I have also experience of hospitals and security settings.

The use of force in custody, education, care and clinical settings varies greatly with many staff having limited, or no, knowledge of risk associated with certain demographics of service users. Too many injuries and deaths are avoidable in my opinion. I have trained several thousands of staff over the years concerning safer restraints and the managing down of physical interventions.

For Safer Custody, the use of force and the management of challenging behaviour

‘Safer Custody’ refers to the safeguarding of staff and detainees within the custodial system, from the moment of arrest to detention at police custody, court cells, prisons and all associated transport between.

I was a custody sergeant from 1996 to 2003 inclusive, then progressed to custody staff training and assessment, and joint police/prison custody planning. In 2012 I received a British Excellence in Performance Award for my contribution to ‘safer custody’ on a national basis.

The Criminal Justice System custody estate has progressed significantly since 1996 when custody was seen as a punishment for detainees.

Staffing was usually by newly appointed sergeants, as I was, or sergeants heading towards retirement, or being disciplined.

Safer Custody aims to prevent, or reduce to the minimum, deaths or injuries connected with self-harm, suicide, use of force, underlying medical conditions, head injuries, malicious or accidental incidents.

The whole custody process is holistically governed by the principles of ‘Safer Custody’, regardless of which institution, or agent, is providing the service to the detainee. Providing a common framework of understanding and care of the detainee and having the ability to share information via systems such as the PNC. (Police National Computer).

The same principles of ‘safer custody’ can apply to children within the care and custody of the education system, who may also be suffering from special educational needs and disabilities.

Safer custody covers a wide variety of issues for safeguarding the staff, the service users and others, which are applicable for police and prison custody, court cells and contractor transport companies, such as:

• Custody staffing, training levels, and paperwork • Risk assessment processes for condition of detainee / prisoner • High risk issues e.g. head injuries, positional asphyxia, excited delirium • Building risk assessments e.g. ligature points, alarm systems, fire safety • Information sources e.g. PNC, PER, • Health conditions and use of the health care providers • Control & restraint techniques and use of • Transportation e.g. fleet management issues, PECs (prison escort and custody services), • Management & supervision e.g. visits and rousing • Equality & individual needs e.g. females, juveniles, disabilities, foreign nationals • Healthcare & medication needs • Cell occupancy • Out of cells – exercise, showers or interviews • Hygiene e.g. bedding, toilets, clothing & cleaning • Food safety – choking assessments, food hygiene • Dependencies – alcohol, drugs • Mental health – assessments, medical needs, adaptations • Technology – CCTV, audio recording • Deaths or injuries in custody procedures

Custody officers and staff should be familiar with the signs or behaviours of a detainee that may indicate an increased level of risk and/or requirement for a higher level of monitoring.

Custody officers need to be aware of the enhanced risk of suicide and self-harm during periods of detention.

Detainees who are deemed to be a high risk of suicide or selfharm must be seen by a healthcare professional (HCP) and kept under close proximity supervision. This allows officers and staff to engage with the detainee and intervene if required.

Deaths in custody increase disproportionately during the early days in custody, with younger male prisoners being at increased risk and the larger demographic, however although women prisoners account for only 5.5% of the prison population they account for half of all self-harm incidents.

The governance of the education system may be easier to understand, but there are currently no national restraint techniques or principles of practice for safeguarding children in the education system and use of force on them. The Department of Education leaves it to each school to decide their approach to training and what systems they will implement.

I work with over 200 schools and there is little common understanding or application of systems, unlike the criminal justice custody systems. Schools are under immense pressure to reduce costs and often sub standard training is introduced to a school which is not tailored to the demographics of the child or staff.

This makes it unsafe and unfit for purpose. For example a child with downs syndrome is highly likely to have heart disease, respiratory disorders and hyper mobility of joints. Even special schools who should be the most knowledgeable in dealing with these children lack the understanding of risk associated with restraint and conduct too many restraints.

The emphasis in many schools is the application of restraints rather than the avoidance of restraints.

A current issue I am concerned with is the increase in creation of ‘calming rooms’ within the care and education sectors. With little national guidance service providers are creating ‘calming rooms’ which are not therapeutic and contain many ligature points plus the adopted practices of such rooms is dubious and potentially abuse and false imprisonment.

The cases I have worked on in the last 12 months include: • Prison custody suicides and self harm where staff have failed to identify risk factors and control measures for prisoners; • Prisoners being assaulted by other prisoners despite risks being reported to staff; • Custody staff being injured in assaults from prisoners due to staff shortages and failure to communicate risk; • Injuries to staff and service users from hand cuffs and other equipment; • School staff injured by children due to lack of training in de escalation and inappropriate restraint techniques; • Children being injured by excessive use of force by staff without any pro active attempts to manage down cases of violence; • Failure to identify ligature points in custody areas which have allowed the opportunity for prisoners to then self harm; • Security staff in a hospital restraining a person who died during the restraint • Inappropriate use of calming rooms I have worked for coroner, civil and criminal cases and deliver training and consultancy on these topics.

www.joannecaffreyexpert.co.uk / www.totaltrain.co.uk

Dr Sue O’Rourke

AFBPsS

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

High quality and timely reports with 20 + years of experience of: • Criminal Cases: Fitness to plead

• Personal injury:

Specialist in trauma/historical abuse - EMDR trained

• Family Proceedings:

Assessment of adults in proceedings.

• Mental HealthReview Tribunals: Assessment of risk

Specialist in Deafness

2019

Federation of Federation of

Expert witnesses Forensic Forensic & Expert&witnesses

07875 358574 | sueorourke@btinternet.com | www.deafexpert.co.uk

Vincent Theobald-Vega FIIRSM, FRSPH, CMIOSH, MISTR, EurOSHM, BSc, MSc, PgDip, Cert Ed (LLS)

Health and Safety Expert Witness and Consultant Standing out from many other experts because of the breadth of his experience, rather than only being a specialist in one, narrow area, Vincent has worked in many health and safety disciplines for over 30 years, starting prosecutions for the HSE in 1990.

Multi Award Winning

Specialist Experience

Since 2015 Vincent and Safety 4 HEd have been winning awards for the breadth and quality of their work: over 20 significant awards including the “Lawyer Monthly Expert Witness Awards” and “Lawyer International Legal 100” awards, both for three years running. This is supported by the excellent feedback from clients.

From Asbestos and Construction through to laboratories and genetic modification – a very wide range of issues and experience.

See the list of awards at safety4hed.co.uk/awards/.

Involved with emergency planning at a regional level for the 2003 SARS outbreak – which is now being replicated by the 2019 COVID pandemic.

Registered and Vetted A Member of the Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses, registered on the Government-backed Occupational Safety and Health Contractors Register (OSHCR) and with the European Network of Health and Safety Professional Organizations (ENSHPO), as a European Occupational Safety and Health Manager (EurOSHM).

Registered and Vetted by UK Register of Expert Witnesses.

Key Topics Accidents in the workplace Asbestos in the workplace Biological and Chemical Safety Construction Safety Falls, slips, trips at work Manual Handling at work Specialist Fire Risk Assessments

Memberships

Selected Cases

FIIRSM

The following cases and pre-case considerations have been selected to give an impression of the range of cases Vincent has been involved with in the last few years. This list is not exhaustive. For confidentiality reasons none of the cases will be discussed in any detail.

Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management

FRSPH Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health

•

Member of the public injured falling down a concealed manhole whilst crossing an unsecured construction site.

•

Asbestos survey failed to find patent asbestos on premises, prior to work commencing and exposing workers.

Member of the Institute for Safety in Technology and Research

•

CDM management failures leading to multiple delays on a large construction site.

EurOSHM

•

European Occupational Safety and Health Manager

Worker slips and is injured whilst travelling between sites, following blizzard conditions.

•

Health and Safety Lawyers' Association

Safety standards at a car wash installation following HSE inspection and service of multiple Notices.

•

Worker seriously injured falling from upper level of construction site.

CMIOSH Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health

MISTR

Member • CV available from safety4hed.co.uk

Contact Website at www.safety4hed.co.uk Email vincent@safety4hed.co.uk Telephone 07940 564889 Based outside Newcastle-uponTyne, working nationally.

Asbestos found in plant during factory refurbishment.

•

Accident resulting from manual handling of materials during maintenance operations.

•

Electrical explosion in 3000A 415V circuit, with potential to have killed four people working on the system.

Charges from the HSE The HSE charges a Fee for Intervention at £157/hr, that is over £1200/day per Inspector. Often several Inspectors will be involved.

Vincent's charges are much more modest. and by agreeing charges in advance he can assist with preventing costs rising out of control. Legal aid cases undertaken.

Any change?

This is what 2 hours of HSE time look like.

“Real life doesn't classify problems for you, you need to be flexible and understand that situations are often complex. To get to the bottom you need an in-depth look that isn't obsessively looking at things from one perspective only.”

Experienced with difficult working situations Having worked with most things from Asbestos exposures to electrical explosions, Vincent is ideally placed to help you with difficult cases.

Vincent is also an experienced lecturer and qualified teacher, used to explaining things in straightforward ways and pitching to people of all walks of life and backgrounds.

Micro CV 2014 onwards – Providing expert witness services, including investigation reports and witness statements for both Civil and Criminal cases. Appeared in Court including Crown Court.

2012 – Consultancy as Safety 4 HEd for Audit, Inspection, Investigation, Training, Mentoring and more.

Clients include Universities, specialists, international companies, other consultancies, and charities.

1999 – Newcastle University and Head of Safety from 2002 to 2012 Renewed the health and safety culture, reducing accident rates, even with dramatic increases in the numbers of students and staff and increased complexity of the work undertaken.

Developed skills in fire safety, chemical safety, and biological issues, including genetically modified organisms and high-hazard pathogens.

1989 – HSE as an Inspector of Health and Safety Undertook numerous prosecutions (including defended cases) on various areas such as construction, asbestos and dangerous machinery, as well as systems development at HQ.

T: 0844 850 1918 M: 07786 070 333 E: sawalsh@btconnect.com forensic.engs@btconnect.com Website: www.sawalsh.com I entered the profession as a 5 year indentured student apprentice Plumbing, Gas and Public Health (Building Services) Engineer during August 1964 and qualified as an Engineer in 1969. I continued my academic training and “hands-on” work development to complete my professional qualification when I was awarded my Chartered Engineer status. I became an Expert Witness during 1984. I have completed the Academy of Experts and EWI training courses for Expert Witness duties and responsibilities. During 2000 as part of my on-going professional development I gained MSc. in Occupational Safety and Health. In 2005 I gained the Cardiff University Accredited Expert Witness by their examination. I continue my professional development.

Expert Witness since 1984 with extensive experience in Commercial, Industrial and Domestic cases.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The Complete Expert Witness service for;

Building Services Engineering.

Public Health Engineering.

Occupational Health and Safety at Work and in the Home.

Drainage.

Plumbing.

Rainwater Systems, Storm Water/Flooding.

Flooding.

Water Services.

Gas, LPG and Oil Heating Systems.

Scalding and burns from water and hot surfaces.

Boiler plant failure.

Plumbing component failures.

LPG failures and incidents.

Fire Sprinkler failures.

Facilities for the Disabled.

Forensic Investigations into disabled people having accidents in public Toilets and in the home.

Noises for installed services.

Personal injury claims for Tripping, slipping, falls.

Manual Handling.

Carbon monoxide incidents, investigations and fatalities.

Gas, Gas Boosters and Metering.

Audit of Building Services Engineering against Terrorism.

Electrical Building Regulations Part "P" Safety in Dwellings qualified and expert witness.

Disabled Persons accidents in Public Toilets and in their home.

Qualifications:

• Chartered Building Services Engineer (C.Eng) MSc. MCIBSE, FCIPHE, MSoPHE • Chartered Health and Safety Practitioner (CMIOSH), MSc, Gas Safe Register • Chartered Water and Environmental Manager and Chartered Public Health Engineer (CWEM) FCIWEM • Accredited Expert Witness (CUEW), MAE, MEWI

S A WALSH Specialist Consulting Engineer & Expert Witness Limited Second Floor Offices. 27 Passey Place, Eltham. London. SE9 5DF

Clear and accurate information when you need it most! avonfireses@gmail.com | malcolmjenks@gmail.com | 07747475455 Avon Fire Scene Examination Services is an independent Fire Investigation and Fire Safety consultancy. We have a strong professional ethos and always strive to provide a thorough, accurate, reliable and timely service to our clients.

Our principal consultant Malcolm Jenkins has extensive experience in the fire industry including:

• • • • • • • • • •

Fire Investigation to establish origin and cause.

Civil and criminal cases.

Preparation and presentation of evidential reports.

Incendiary devices and substances.

Domestic and commercial premises.

Examination of fire damaged vehicles.

Evaluation of fire safety measures.

Case review.

Regulatory compliance.

Negotiation with enforcing authorities.

Mr Malcolm Jenkins MSc, GIFireE, MCSFS Fire Investigator & Fire Safety Consultant

www.avonfiresceneexaminationservices.co.uk

Award for International Property Expert of the year 2019-2020

Richard A Rooke

It Gives us great pleasure to announce that the Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses has announced this years Independent Awards and has profiled one of its members for their outstanding work within their chosen specialty in this case Richard Rooke from Villa Value who works out of his Spanish based office and offers expert advice on international properties.

This is for the lifetime of commitment he has given to the field of Property both to his clients and to the Expert witness industry. The Awards are independent to the Federation are designed to raise the profile and highlight in their opinion the best in their given fields of expertise. The Federation hope to bring this to the attention of the lawyers and barristers and investors that follow them on linked in and who visit their site and read their E-mag that can be viewed at www.forensicandexpertwitness. co.uk.

The Federation looked into Richards 35 years experience at advising on International property and running his own property business which has helped Richard become equipped to provide a reliable and authoritative service as an Expert Witness on all cases relating to International property investments and purchases, for these reasons he was chosen.

Federation of

Forensic & Expert witnesses

Award 2019

International ederation of Property

Expert ofwitnesses the year 2019-2020 sic & Expert

Richard said "I am delighted to have received this

Award and gratified the Federation recognised my talents that stand out among other Expert Witnesses in my field of expertise. It was a very nice surprise to receive the 2019-2020 International Property Expert of the Year Award out of the blue and without having had to submit an application for what is a highly valued recognition."

The Federation fully recommend Richard Rooke and Villa Value and are pleased to announce him as this year's recipient as International Property Expert of the year 2019-2020

You can contact Richard now, for any advice at 0034 965 320 024 info@inmorichardrooke.com www.villavalue.com

VILLA VALUE OFFERS OVERSEAS PROPERTY EXPERT SERVICES. Richard A Rooke is an independent property consultant, member of FIABCI, the International Real Estate Federation, CEI, The European Real Estate Confederation, and GIPE, one of the leading Spanish Real Estate Associations, and runs an extremely well-known real estate agency and consultancy on the Costa Blanca.

With over 38 years experience in the real estate industry, and officially recognised Spanish real estate qualifications, Richard's expertise is second to none.

“The Company's object, is to offer its clients the best value for money available for the type of property required”.

Established on the Costa Blanca for over 30 years, we offer an extremely wide choice of meticulously selected properties at competitive prices. We can find you apartments, duplex, maisonettes, terraced houses and villas, close to the beach, on golf courses, marinas or any other location, at prices to suit most pockets, for holiday, retirement, or investment purposes, for private or corporate portfolios.

Anyone buying through this office, will receive assistance during the whole purchasing process - property selection, contracts, searches, deed-signing, translations, legal and tax requirements, registration, bank accounts, after-sales service, etc. - avoiding any pitfalls that might be encountered on the way. Prices vary in accordance with the property, location, etc., and finance can be arranged, on the spot in Spain, at advantageous interest rates, if and when required.

We are always on the lookout for new developments which sometimes provide better opportunities for investment than some of the existing projects, keeping a careful eye on current market trends.

F

Forens

IF YOU NEED EXPERT ADVICE LOOK NO FURTHER.....

Our Area Richard covers all of the Costa Blanca, and the Costa Calida, with his office and exhibition centre in Mil Palmeras, Pilar de la Horadada, about 17 km south of Torrevieja. Currently, one of the fastest growing communities in Spain, this area alone, offers excellent opportunities in all price-ranges, with an enormous variety of homes to choose from. Apart from new properties, he has re-sales of all types on his books, and links with leading developers and builders, throughout the two regions, and all along the coast.

If you are looking for value for money and need expert advice, then Richard’s Best Buys are what you should be considering.

Contact www.villavalue.com now!

Richard A Rooke | VILLAVALUE

2019

Federation of Federation of

Expert witnesses sic Forensic & Expert&witnesses

Avda de Francia, Edif. Playa 9.1.2, Urb Mil Palmeras, 03190 Pilar de la Horadada (Alicante), Spain

0034 965 320 024 info@inmorichardrooke.com

www.villavalue.com

Mr. David Rusholme Chestertons Expert Property Consultant

Property disputes can arise from all manner of scenarios. Case can involve residential and commercial properties; building land for redevelopment, buildings used for leisure purpose, new builds and mortgages. Located in London's prestigious Mayfair, Chestertons is a renowned property consultancy, and provides highly regarded expert witness services.

Chestertons' David Rusholme qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1987 and has acted on many expert witness cases, and was involved with the famous SAMCO case in early 1990’s – a landmark case which limits the total liability to surveyors on claims.

He has also acted on many cases involving various property types from commercial to residential property and these have included some of most prestigious addresses in central London. In his professional career, David held the position of Head of Valuation at RICS where he was responsible for overseeing valuation standards in UK and linking in to International Valuation Standards (IVS). As an expert witness, David has acted on the behalf of many unusual properties such as theme parks, car parks and top hotels.

A very experienced valuer and property professional, David Rusholme has been FRICS qualified since 1998. and today, he is Head of Professional Services at Chestertons – a firm which deals with a wide range of property situations.

Mr. Rusholme is a well known and highly respected expert witness having appeared in Court both in England and Scotland. He has also attended several high profile mediations. David has attended court many times in civil claims, matrimonial matters and even criminal cases and has acted as a Single and Joint expert in the family Court. His specialist areas include fraud and professional negligence claims.

The expert witness services of Chestertons and in particular, David Rusholme take a no-nonsense approach on giving an unbiased and honest opinion. The company's impartial advice is provided whilst tapping into a wealth of practical experience which exists in the firm as a whole.

“Instructing an expert who is truly independent can save much time and money,” David explained. “I believe the opinion given at the outset must stand the same level of scrutiny as the court process itself.”

As an FRICS qualified Chartered Surveyor as well as a member of The Expert Witness Institute, throughout his career in property consulting, David Rusholme has accepted instructions on a range of cases as an expert witness. Examples include:

• A case where a surveyor was accused of over valuing a property by more than £10m. By looking at the contemporary evidence and stating what the valuation practice was at the valuation date, David's evidence led to a very successful mediated outcome.

• Parties to a divorce needed guidance on a whole portfolio of property across the UK. David acted as single joint expert and guided both sides through their questions and concerns - resulting again in a successful outcome outside court.

• David acted on behalf of the owners of a prominent house in one of the best areas of Mayfair to demonstrate it was not being sold at an under value. The whole process was concluded within 5 days at Court from start to finish.

• An expert was needed to prove fraud in the sale of 10 properties in the UK and David provided advise involving 5 days in the witness box which assisted in a successful prosecution.

David comments that there “are a number of common areas where solicitors and other professionals seek expert valuation advice.”

His top ten expert property areas are: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Disputes over professional negligence such as potential over valuation of property.

Potential mistakes by solicitors in conveyancing or drafting leases.

Disputes over land development agreements.

Matrimonial disputes where the parties need a single or joint property expert.

Advise for tax calculations regarding land and property values, such as CGT where valuations dating back all the way to 1982 are sometimes needed.

Surveyor representation for rent reviews or lease renewals Expert appointments for surveyors or valuers under leases or land contracts Probate valuations which need to be professionally prepared to avoid challenge by the tax authorities Dispute arising from litigation, administration or receivership of property assets The need to value property involved in fraud cases.

For further information, please contact David Rusholme at Chestertons Property Consultants

Tel: 020 3040 8250, email: david.rusholme@chestertons.com or visit the firm's website at www.chestertons.com

PJD Surveyors are a chartered building surveying practice offering building surveying services in the commercial marketplace. Based in Kent they regularly provide service for clients in London and the South East generally.

PJD Surveyors are full members of RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), so you can be confident that they are equipped to handle your commercial or residential building surveying assignment for any type of portfolio.

They offer a broad range of services to help clients with all aspects of building care, repair and design.

PJD Surveyors provide a Professional surveying service to assist Solicitors’ and their Clients in property related matters.

Providing technical support as part of the team supporting the Client, where disputes occur with risk of court action being taken by or against a party.

Peter Day has been involved in the preparation of Expert Reports for Court for over two decades. In that time we have provided reports on a variety of building defects, contract disputes and boundary disputes.

Peter Day has given verbal evidence in both the County Court and High Court Following the “Woolf reforms” PJD Surveyors have been instructed as a joint agreed expert in various matters subject to court action.

RESIDENTIAL

• Building surveys • Homebuyers surveys • Valuations • Party Wall matters including Party Wall Awards • Building alterations including Building Regulation and Planning • Building defect reports • Boundary disputes

COMMERCIAL

• Building surveys • Party Wall matters • Dilapidations both Landlord and Tenant • Tenants alteration • Disabled Access Audits For further information please contact: Peter Day | PJD Surveyors 4 Bloors Lane, Rainham, Kent. ME8 7EG Phone: 01634 26 36 16 | 07977 003 104

ADJUDICATION Asbestos expert witness/opinion Overview

Challenge

A £362 million demolition and construction project, suffered significant unexpected costs and project delays due to several asbestos discoveries, for which the contractor sought compensation events.

Appointed following the completion of all asbestos abatement and remediation works to those affected areas.

Working within a large team incorporating 3 experts from different fields, required specific and timely communication to achieve both aims and deadlines.

Instruction was received following the completion of all surveys and asbestos remediation, with areas having been demolished and excavated.

The quantity of reports and information relating to the works particularly records of instruction and communications between parties was extensive.

Conflicting information between contractors and the client, meant that thorough reviews of all information and the creation of an exact timeline relating to the matter was necessary.

Project Summary Instructed by the client and their appointed solicitors to provide expert opinion as part of an adjudication process under NEC 3 contract. Expert opinion was sought on the inspections standards of the appointed consultant and the subsequent actions of the main and principal contractors in their addressing asbestos related discoveries.

Specifically, an assessment of costs relating to removal and reasonableness of costs against works undertaken.

Sector Commercial/construction.

Location Undisclosed – UK

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ADJUDICATION Asbestos expert opinion/witness Approach

As with all expert opinion works undertaken by Matthew, his approach is always to remainChallenge independent and verview report all matters to the client irrelevant of instructing £362 million demolition and within a large team incorporating 3 experts from different party. project, The starting point was theWorking formulation of a and timely communication to achieve both aims nstruction suffered fields, required specific nificant unexpected costs and timeline to determine site activities and dates, thisInstruction was and deadlines. was received following the completion of all oject achieved delays due to several surveysofand asbestos remediation, with areas having been demolished through the thorough review 4 months bestos discoveries, for which the and excavated. The quantity of reports and information relating to the individual captured on time-lapse camera. The ntractor soughtimages compensation works particularly records of instruction and communications between ents. use Appointed following the parties extensive. Conflicting information between contractors and of the visual aids helped determinewas appropriate mpletion of all asbestos the client, meant that thorough reviews of all information and the opinions and observations working practices atement and remediation works relating to creation of an exact timeline relating to the matter was necessary. thoseand affected areas. dates and times. Alongside this review evidence Approach identifying all relevant correspondence and instructions roject Summary relating to all survey and remediation to ensure As works, with all expert opinion works undertaken by Matthew, his approach is always to independent and report all matters to the client suitable could surveys tructed by theopinions client and theirbe made against initialremain irrelevant of instructing party. starting point was the formulation of • TheExposure pointed solicitors to provide and further instructed reports or remedial exercises. a timeline to determine site activities and dates, this was achieved pert opinion as part of an The interpretation of site works completed through review of 4 months individual images captured on through the thorough udication process under NEC 3 time-lapse camera.on The •use ofSurvey/Analytical the visual aids helped determine quality & practice ntract.

Expert opinion review of reports andwas methods helped form opinion appropriate opinions and observations relating to working practices and ught on the inspections standards competencies of individuals carrying out site surveys, evidence dates and times. Alongside this review identifying all relevant the appointed consultant and the correspondence and instructions relating to alldisputes survey and&remediation remedial other • Remedial standards bsequent actionsworks of the or main and investigations in the absence works, to ensure suitable opinions could be made against initial surveys ncipal contractors in their of any training records being provided.

Such reviews and further instructed reports or remedial exercises. The interpretation dressing asbestos related helped Specifically, provide opinions against ofHealth & completed Safety through site works review of reports and methods helped coveries. an • Compliance form opinion on competencies of individuals carrying out site surveys, essment of costs relating to Executive (HSE) Regulations, Approved Codes of remedial works or other investigations in the absence of any training moval and reasonableness of Practice (ACOP) and guidance relating asbestos records to being provided. Such helped provide opinions against sts against works undertaken.

• reviews Testing Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice also accreditations to relevant standards and affiliations (ACOP) and guidance with associated trade bodies and their considered goodrelating to asbestos also accreditations to relevant ector standards and affiliations with associated trade bodies and their practice. Appraisal of reasonableness of costsgood and time considered practice. mmercial/construction.

Holder of the Cardiff University Law was undertaken with programme and contract experts Appraisal of reasonableness of costs and time was undertaken with School & Bond Solon CUBS) appointed by the client, whereby suitable opinions programme andwere contract experts appointed by the client, (whereby ocation suitable opinions were provided based on all information. provided based on all information. civil expert certificate.

Expert witness & opinion on:

disclosed – UK

Project Outcome

Project Outcome

Report provided as part of adjudication and adjudicator found in favour of the client, the contractor submitted programme related delays and costs were significantly reduced.

Report provided as part of adjudication and adjudicator found in favour of the client, the contractor submitted programme related delays and costs were significantly reduced.

E:matt@principis.co.uk W:www.principis.co.uk

Everything we do is unde as exemplified by

Specialist Engineering, Materials and Environmental Consultants RSK is a specialist firm of engineering and materials consultants. The group encompasses a wide range of professional engineers, scientist and technologists, with extensive experience in litigation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution.

The ever-changing landscape of environmental, health and safety legislation has significantly altered how organisations do business. Recent economic conditions, case law and changes in the sentencing guidelines for environmental and health and safety law are also increasing the number of cases brought forward requiring expert opinion both in defence and prosecution.

At RSK, we have found that it is the ability to understand and explain the complex technical issues that lie behind such disagreements that is vital to a project or case’s success. Our team of experts has extensive experience of delivering expert witness support in a range of disciplines.

Our services can be tailored to offer assistance across the spectrum of project scales. We have supported legal consideration of local, site-specific cases and complex cases having both national and international significance.

Our expert witness service provision now encompasses disciplines throughout engineering, building materials, environmental, health and safety, horticultural, agricultural and land management issues. Our group is regularly asked by the legal community to provide assistance from our expert witnesses so that they can grasp the complexity of concerns, and those who are involved in the dispute may require our expert advisers to help develop their case.

Our areas of e BUILDING MATERIALS: Building material and structural failure disputes, and litigation cases involving asbestos are also areas where RSK staff have been able to offer expert witness evidence.

ECOLOGY AND RURAL SCIENCES: Our experts in agriculture, agronomy, arboriculture, soil and land drainage provide robust evidence for criminal prosecutions and defence. Our ecologists supply ecological data to inform land use change, new infrastructure projects and large-scale planning applications.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: RSK’s specialist health and safety experts provide support on general compliance matters, industrial safety, food safety, construction safety and fire.

RSK provides these services through a combin and respected professional consulting via

RSK Environment Ltd | 18 Frogmore Road | Hemel Hempstead | Hertfo

erpinned by a commitment to quality, environmental, health and safety excellence, y our certification to the ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards.

Our team is also knowledgeable with regard to civil disputes that arise, including design, site investigation, materials and structural issues, and sometimes a combination of these aspects. RSK can provide a wide range of expert witnesses to assist parties in such disputes, variously acting for claimants, defendants or, in some circumstances, for all parties on a ‘single-joint’ basis. Our services are based on compliance with the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR 35).

All our senior experts have experience of providing expert reports, participating in experts’ meetings and, ultimately, giving oral evidence in court or during arbitration, inquiries and, increasingly, mediation. Occasionally, similar skills are required for assisting the police, the Crown Prosecution Service or defendants in criminal cases.

expertise include:

LAND CONTAMINATION, GEOTECHNICS AND ENGINEERING: RSK has assisted with dispute resolution cases relating to the liabilities associated with contaminated land/Part 2a determinations.

In addition, the company has provided geotechnical evidence concerning foundations, pipelines and other infrastructure, and specialist engineering expertise to help with flooding and sustainable drainage issues.

Work undertaken Nationwide and International

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: Numerous clients have been helped to obtain planning consent on a wide range of contentious projects through expert witness services for key environmental impact assessment areas, including archaeology and cultural heritage, ecology and landscape and visual impact.

WASTE MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE: RSK has been involved in several waste-related expert cases involving construction waste, particularly a Crown Court case involving four operational waste processing sites.

nation of its group companies, including long-established a the RSK, ADAS, Structural Soils and Acies brands.

Contact: Dr Ian Sims

ordshire | HP3 9RT | 01442 437500 | info2@rsk.co.uk | www.rsk.co.uk

Expert Witness Established in 1972, Clancy Consulting is an independent, multi disciplinary engineering practice with 10 regional offices, employing Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Geo Environmental Engineers and Surveyors, providing engineering design, building surveying and advisory services across the built environment.

Our mission is to provide high value and sustainable multi-disciplinary services, respected for excellence and innovation and for contributing to the improvement of the built environment, whilst fostering strong working relationships with our clients and providing a stimulating and diverse place of work.

Clancy has been listed eight times in the Building Good Employers Guide as one of the top 50 firms in the industry.

Our Engineers are frequently called upon to assist Courts and other judicial bodies to resolve disputes. This assistance can range from informal review of documentation through to the production of an Expert Witness report compliant with Civil Procedure Rules, or a Single Joint Expert Report.

Clients include Solicitors, insurance companies, Loss Adjusters and individual property owners, and we have long standing relationships with many of our clients.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that disputes of various kinds abound within the UK Construction Industry. Many theories have been advanced as to why this is – the 'first-past-the-post' tendering system, low profit margins, intense competition, complex supply chain mechanisms, lack of Professional Regulation, skills shortages etc but there is little indication that dispute numbers are falling.

It is of vital importance that any Expert Advisor/ Witness appointed not only has considerable experience of the matters at hand but is also able to assist Solicitors considering the merits of the claim, explain their views etc in a clear, concise way and, are able to effectively deal with what can often be hostile cross-examination in Court.

Our engineers have given evidence in court, in mediations and at public enquiries.

Clancy Consulting have worked closely with NHBC for over 15 years, investigating some of their largest and most complex claims, which have involved all types of building defects, and typically relate to apartment blocks.

Following investigation and diagnosis of the cause of failure, our Engineers worked closely with NHBC's senior Claims staff, policy writers, and their in-house technical and legal teams to agree remedial schemes that ensured policy and technical compliance, offered pragmatic and cost effective repairs and minimised the impact work would have on residents.

www.clancy.co.uk

We then specify and Project Manage the works.

Technical knowledge, good communication, pragmatism and ‘soft skills’ are necessary throughout the process to ensure we can work effectively with all parties involved.

As a result, our Engineers have seen the worst of what the building industry has to offer, which has given our engineers an in-depth knowledge of how to avoid such issues, how to deal with them and, above all how to incorporate good practice into our specifications and documentation to avoid them. It has also given us a most valuable insight into the workings of the Construction Industry against which we can form our views on why a dispute has arisen and where culpability may lie.

Only our most Senior Engineers with appropriate Professional qualifications and many years of design and construction experience can be considered for Expert Witness work. Additionally, they must possess excellent communication skills and present themselves in a confident manner.

Our philosophy is that only someone who has personally undertaken specific design tasks and overseen construction on site, can be considered for any role in Forensic Engineering, leading to possible Expert Witness appointments.

Services Building Appraisal Building Services Engineering Civil Engineering Engineering Surveying Geo Environmental Engineering Structural Engineering Transportation and Highway Engineering

www.clancy.co.uk

Recent Expert witnessappointments include : Collapse of a masonry retaining/boundary wall onto Network Rail track.

live

Numerous appointments in relation to trees/subsidence.

Numerous appointments in relation to vehicle impact damage.

Personal injury as a result of the failure of a timber staircase.

Possible Carbon Monoxide poisoning in a sheltered accommodation from faulty boiler flue installation Review of ventilation systems and fire damper installations in two Care Homes .

Fire damage assessment report on a Court building undergoing refurbishment in Central London.

Expert report with respect to overheating of a lightweight, highly glazed roof extension.

Major flood into the basement of a Grade 2 Listed property due to burst effluent pumping main.

We offer Expert advice in the following areas : Structural failure and collapse Insurance investigations Subsidence and foundation failure Damage by fire / flood / storm All types of building defects Defective materials and workmanship Schedules Of Condition Building services Geotechnical Engineering Construction accidents Personal injury

Defending Consulting Structural Engineer on PI claim for negligent building foundation design.

Health and safety

SJE report on a dispute between a Main Contractor and Piling Sub-contractor regarding the value of the Final Account for the piling works.

Drainage, flooding and flood risk

Expert report on unsafe demolition working which led to personal injuries suffered by a machine operator.

Expert report on cause of a landslip in Central Wales.

Professional negligence Forensic engineering

Clancy consulting has been checked and verified for inclusion in

The Expert Witness Directory 2018.

The Directors and senior members of staff are registered with one or more of the following professional bodies : Association of Project Management Association for Consultancy and Engineering Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Chartered Institute of Building Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Institution of Civil Engineers Institution of Engineering and Technology Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management Institution of Highways and Transportation Institution of Mechanical Engineers Institution of Structural Engineers Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Timber Research and Development Association UK Timber Frame Association

Surveying Clancy Consultings Engineering Surveying department specializes in the inspection and investigation of all types of buildings and structures, defect diagnosis, specification and project management of remedial works and refurbishment.

Many of our appointments are multi-disciplinary as we have the in house capability to diagnose all types of building defects.

Our engineers appreciate buildings and virtually all members of the multi-disciplinary surveying team have over 20 years engineering surveying experience.

Advice relates to industrial, commercial, residential, public, historic buildings and other structures, and we take pride in offering technically robust and pragmatic advise based on our extensive experience and a full understanding of our clients needs and aspirations.

We inspect buildings and structures for regular maintenance purposes, at change of lease or ownership, when issues become apparent, or at feasibility stage prior to development or refurbishment to advise on their general condition, any essential remedial work required, their load carrying capacity etc in advance of the main project design. Our main project teams provide full engineering design support where required.

For more information, in the first instance please contact richard.johnson@clancy.co.uk or call Rich on 07831 805763 www.clancy.co.uk

G E Findlay

B Sc., LLB., C Eng., C.WEM., M I Mech E., M W I S A .

www.rbcsewage.co.uk Tel: +44(0)1564 777660 Mob: + 44(0)7887 590075

Eric Findlay is both a Chartered Civil Engineer and a Chartered Mechanical Engineer.

He is also a Chartered Water and Environmental Manager .

He has many years experience in the design and construction of sewage treatment, sewerage and water related schemes with both water companies and consulting engineers.

For many years He was a Principal Engineer with Severn Trent Engineering during which time he developed the Severn Trent Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) and Reed Bed Process which treats all sewage ( including storm flow) to a crystal clear standard.This was a new process for the water industry.

Working with the then Cranfield University School Of Mechanical Engineering he resolved the mechanical problems traditionally associated with RBCs making him a world expert in the field. He is also very familiar with other types of small sewage treatment works as well as much more major installations His main responsibilities with Severn Trent however was to manage a number of design teams implementing the Severn Trent multimillion GBP capital works program.

On leaving Severn Trent Water Ltd he joined an international company heading up their RBC department where he was responsible for all aspects of the RBC business and the further development of RBCs to achieve a 30 year life.

He now runs his own company, Sewage and RBC Solutions Ltd undertaking a variety of Expert Witness and other specialist work.

“ He is the author of many papers and has received a number of awards"

Registered Office:336 Station Road, Knowle. Solihull, West Midlands B93 0ET

The principals of Laslett International have over 40 years experience in the successful delivery of major capital projects globally. This experience covers the full range of project and technical management of projects as well as the operational management of complex process facilities both on and offshore.

Our principals have provided experts for dispute cases for over 29 years. We have vast experience in the offshore oil and gas, petrochemicals, shipbuilding, electricity power generation, renewables energy and infrastructure sectors worldwide.

Our Managing Director, Bob Laslett CEng, FEI, FIET, FICCPM is an acknowledged world expert in project management, project controls and project planning and scheduling having worked with many global enterprises such as BP, Shell, ConocoPhillips, ADNOC and EDF, etc.

Bob is a founding member and Honorary Fellow of the Association for Project Management.

Our Technical Director, Mike Payne CEng, FIMechE, FEI, MIIRSM is an acknowledged world expert in project engineering, mechanical engineering, operational health and safety, technical integrity and risk management having worked with BP, Shell, British Columbia Hydro, etc. Mike was for many years the Chairman of the oil industry Oil Spill Response organisation.

The industry sectors we are experts in include: • • • • • • • •

Offshore Oil and Gas Petrochemicals, Chemicals & Industrial Process Plants Shipbuilding & Marine Electricity Power Generation Renewables – Wind, Wave, Tidal, Solar, Biofuels Civil Construction & Mechanical Engineering Mining, Manufacturing and Pipelines Infrastructure & Utilities

+44 (0) 1303 656000 | info@laslettint.com | www.laslettint.com

Our expert witness case studies have included many very different and complex projects both offshore (North Sea, GOM, Caspian Sea, Offshore Brazil, Middle East and North Africa) and onshore energy / oil and gas, infrastructure and process plant projects. They have ranged from power stations to offshore wind farms, FPSO conversions to pipeline, salt cavern gas storage and LDPE process plant construction to oil refinery accidents. They have concerned ‘misrepresentation’, expert determination, the effect on project costs due to changes in world market for superalloy steel, re-building of a drilling rig sunk due to an accident and the theoretical re-sale valuation if dismantled of completed offshore oil production platform modules.

As experts we have given evidence and been cross-examined on numerous occasions, including Queen’s Counsel. These expert commissions have involved the UK Commercial Courts, LCIA, ICC, LMAA and the Technology and Construction Court.

We have also been involved in cases in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts and overseas courts in Norway and the DIFC Courts in the Middle East.

Laslett International provides Expert Witness services for a range of subject matters including the following.

DELAY

• Delay Cause & Effect, EOT • Critical Path Analysis • Project Planning and Scheduling Our experts have experience in the application of all delay analysis methodologies together with critical path analysis and other forensic practices

TECHNICAL

• Construction and Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil & Structural) • Project Engineering • Project Management and Procurement

DUBAI . LOS ANGELES . LONDON . M

Our technical experts have been instructed on high profile international dispute cases that have involved carrying out audits, inspection, investigating defects, interrogating documentation, technical integrity, risk and identifying compliance breaches.

QUANTUM

• Contracts • Cost Engineering • Work Measurement

Our quantum experts have experience in all methods of measurement, how to evaluate delay, disruption, and valuing work under various forms of contract.

ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH & SAFETY

• Risk Assessment & Evaluation • Audits and Compliance Reports • HAZOP/HAZID • Operational Safety and Safety Reviews We are familiar with working with either the owner or contractor in complex and challenging dispute cases. We have experience in working with legal teams both in the UK/Europe, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Middle East, USA and Brazil.

MELBOURNE . SINGAPORE . SAO PAULO

www.laslettint.com

VCM Index is an innovative digital application that uses visual communication of data linkages to significantly improve case management:

• • • • •

View case data structures that are more intuitive to navigate.

Present case information using a visual story telling mode.

Indexed data enables case information to be searched and found easily.

Secure cloud-based solution enables access from any internet connection.

Share case information and collaborate online in real-time.

At Laslett International as part of a continual commitment to extend and develop the range of services we offer, we have developed a unique application (VCM Index) which ‘organises case information through visual structures’.

We have many accreditations including holding corporate as well as individual memberships of various organisations such as the Association for Project Management, Decomm North Sea, UK Register of Expert Witnesses, International Centre for Complex Project Management and the Energy Institute.

To discuss your specific expert requirements contact : Laslett international limited

T: +44 (0) 1303 656000 E: info@laslettint.com W: www.laslettint.com

+44 (0) 1303 656000 | info@laslettint.com | www.laslettint.com

Rod Appleyard Chartered Building Surveyor Rod Appleyard is a Chartered Building Surveyor and trained in the compiling and delivery of expert witness reports/giving evidence. His area of expertise includes Fenestration and all facets of building envelope defects. He is knowledgeable of all facets of construction dispute and regularly works as an independent expert witness within a within a legal team.

Rod Appleyard has been fully trained in all aspects of expert witness instruction including the delivery of his expertise in a courtroom environment including that of a single joint expert instruction.

His instructions have included construction and fenestration defects, contractual and specification matters and Adjudication or Arbitration of disputes between householders and their contractors or contractors / contractors.

• • • • • • • •

He accepts instruction in relation to dispute surveys, expert witness reports and Safety and Arbitration surveys and is Expert in:

Building Envelope, Fenestration & Glass related personal injury, Double Glazing, Curtain Walling, PVC, Timber and Aluminium frames and Structures - Furniture Glass.

Glazing / Stained & Coloured Glass, Rain Screen Cladding and other masonry envelopes, for both domestic and commercial clients along with personal Injury claims relating to glass.

Trained in the discipline of delivering expert witness reports in court, also a listed Adjudicator, Arbitrator and Accredited Mediator. Rod was trained at Cardiff University and is an accredited Expert Witness (Faculty of Law). MSc, BSc (Hons), Accredited Member of the London School of Mediation.

Rod is a Member of the following organisations: • • • • • • •

FRICS (Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), FCIArb (Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators), MCIOB (Member of the Chartered Institute of Building), FPD (Fellow of Prime Dispute), MBINDT (Member of the Institute of Non-Destructive Testing), MEWI (Member of the Expert Witness Institute).

A Member of the Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses.

PO BOX 10, BINGLEY, WEST YORKSHIRE, BD16 1XT T: 01274 569912 | E: VAssc@aol.com

+44 (0) 29 2054 0000 mtd@minton.co.uk minton.global

The Minton Treharne & Davies Group provide scientific consultancy, surveying and testing services to a worldwide client base from our offices in the UK, Europe, USA, Asia and Australia. With over a century of experience, MTD has an international reputation for delivering superior independent scientific services and expertise to industry.

MTD's laboratories offer one of the most comprehensive independent facilities in the UK, offering a wide range of analytical testing and inspection services across virtually all industry sectors.

Our staff include Chemists; Chemical, NDT and Marine Engineers; Mariners; Metallurgists; Materials Scientists and Microbiologists with the majority being highly qualified in a wide range of scientific and technical disciplines. Many are notable figures in their industries and sit on the committees of international institutions including ISO, ASNT, BSI and the EI. All work is carried out to forensic standards and we encourage independent audits of our performance.

We hold an unusually wide range of accreditations and approvals including UKAS, CAA, NADCAP and are accredited Expert Witnesses under a number of schemes.

MTD provide a comprehensive consultancy and investigation service to a wide range of industry sectors specialising in the forensic investigation of incidents and claims. We also advise many clients on loss prevention and risk management and conduct focused problem solving research.

Using our extensive experience we provide a totally independent claims investigation and management service covering a diverse range of products and commodities.

MTD's extensive facilities and experienced technicians analyse and diagnose material failures and their causes and evaluate microstructures.

Our Consultants are experienced in providing evidence in court and at arbitrations, in the UK and overseas.

All of the work undertaken by Minton, Treharne & Davies Ltd. is carried out to a forensic standard.

Forensic Investigations: The term "Forensic" can be defined as "of, or relating to, the courts of law". It comes from the Latin "forensis", which is translated as forum. A forensic investigation is an investigation that is relevant to and may be used in a court of law, and therefore any investigative work that is done to a forensic standard must be carried out to a high enough standard that it may be presented in a court of law.

This involves ensuring that: All personnel involved are properly trained and qualified.

All work performed is properly recorded with photographs as may be required.

Any samples taken, analysed or tested are traceable and that a chain of custody can be established.

All work is carried out diligently.

There are proper records of the calibration and suitability of any equipment and consumables utilised.

There is no question as to the integrity of the work or personnel carrying out the investigation.

As a result there is complete confidence in the results of any investigation.

The majority of our consultants are experienced Expert Witnesses who have spent many hours giving evidence in court or arbitration both in the UK and abroad. Minton, Treharne & Davies Ltd. is represented in the Directory of Expert Witnesses, the Bureau of Arson Investigators, the Academy of Experts, the UK Register of Expert Witnesses, the Forensic Science Society and the Register of Forensic Practitioners.

Contact Richard Minton

PROFILE T: 01494868868 M: 07768497005 41 High Street, Prestwood, Buckinghamshire, HP16 9EJ

Bob Swayne is a qualified building services (M&E) consulting engineer with over 50 years of experience in the design, specification, installation and maintenance of mechanical & electrical engineering services for healthcare, commercial, retail, educational, residential and leisure facilities located both within the UK and the Middle East.

Since starting The Hampden Consultancy in 1993 he has been frequently involved in the dispute resolution process, providing technical opinions and preparing expert reports on matters relating to mechanical & electrical engineering services in claims valued between £10,000 and £10 million.

As part of his duties he has provided advice to clients and their legal representatives in respect to the technical and/or contractual aspects related to mechanical & electrical engineering services, including issues concerning the maintenance of such installations, as well as issues relating to professional negligence by members of design and/or project management teams.

To that end he often acts as an expert adviser in the first instance, preparing reports on issues relating to the failings of installed mechanical & electrical engineering services on behalf of clients and their legal representatives considering possible litigation/adjudication/arbitration proceedings, looking objectively at a dispute from all perspectives and outlining the technical merits or otherwise of the particular claim.

He sits on a number of technical committees, helping to prepare technical publications on a number of topics related to mechanical & electrical engineering services, including providing input as a result of his expert witness work.

T: 01494868868 M: 07768497005 E:enquiries@thehampdenconsultancy.com W: www.thehampdenconsultancy.com This extensive experience and depth of knowledge means that he is in high demand as an expert witness, using his technical expertise and wide experience to encourage parties to a dispute to seek settlement and agreement in preference to litigation wherever possible.

Indeed, in 90% of claims on which he has been appointed, these have settled in his clients’ favour following the issue of an expert report without further recourse to the legal process, be it litigation, arbitration or adjudication.

Bob Swayne

He can act as a party-appointed expert in accordance with either the Civil Procedure Rules or the Criminal Procedure Rules and as such he has given oral evidence in court, both in the Technology & Construction Court and at arbitration and adjudication hearings across the UK, as well as attending mediation meetings.

He also accepts appointments as a single joint expert, either by agreement of the parties to a dispute or at the direction of a court.

For a list of recent cases click here

Professor Peter Robery FREng CEng FICE FICT FCS

With over 38 years in the construction industry, I know how important it can be to find the right independent professional advice when you need it most.

During my career, I have provided troubleshooting services to both the civil engineering and building sectors. I specialise in solving problems with concrete materials technology, applied to both new build construction and the management of existing assets that are deteriorating prematurely or unexpectedly.

With experience in all common construction materials, including masonry, concrete and steel corrosion, I can offer you the latest advice in forensic engineering and deterioration management for your assets, including maintenance and remediation strategies.

Forensic Engineering and Expert Witness I am a Chartered Civil Engineer, recognised at the highest level by the Engineering Institutions, and am familiar with the Duties expected of an Expert in Civil and Criminal cases. I can cite over 30 instances of where I have given evidence in proceedings, as summarised in my CV that can be downloaded from my website. I am founder/director of Robery Forensic Engineering Limited.

An accredited expert in failure investigation & f on concrete and construction issues, with ex Court, Arbitration, Mediation, Adjudication & P

• Appearance of Structures • Basement Concrete Constr • Brickwork, Stonework, Masonry, Ca • Car Park Specification, Construc • Coatings for the Protectio • Concrete Compliance, Specification an • Concrete Placing, Bleed • Diaphragm Wal • Disaster Investigations, Including • External Concrete Hardstanding • General Forensic Examinatio • Industrial Warehouse Ground • Liquid-Retaining Structures, W • No-Fines Concrete and O • Paints, Coatings and Me • Performance of Air-entraining • Piled Concrete Flo • PQ Concrete and Requirem • Sewage Treatment and Soft • Steel, Carbon and Polyprop • Test Methods for Concrete • Tramways and Light Rail

forensic engineering, I have given evidence xperience in Technology and Construction Public Inquiry. My fields of expertise include:

s and Visual Assessment ruction and Waterproofing ast Stone and Mortar Compositions ction, Maintenance and Repair on and Repair of Concrete nd Quality Control To EN206/BS 8500 and Shrinkage Cracking ll Construction g Fire, Bomb and Water Damage gs and Freeze/Thaw Resistance on of Construction Failures Floors, Screeds and Toppings Water Stops and Leak Sealing Other Concrete Housing embranes For Concrete g and Workability Admixtures oor Construction ments for Air-entrainment ft Water Attack of Concrete pylene Fibre-Reinforcement e and Data Interpretation l In Concrete Surrounds

Contact Details Professor Peter Robery FREng CEng FICE FICT FCS Director, Robery Forensic Engineering Limited RAEng Visiting Professor in Forensic Engineering, The University of Birmingham

01564 205215 07961 098374 pcr@roberyforensics.com www.roberyforensics.com

DAMIAN JAMES provides construction and engineering focused services. The Group h in the field of commercial and contractual consultancy, bridging the gap between tec DAMIAN JAMES operates from Johannesburg, Durban, London and Manchester and is s commercial and contractual consultancy field. Our highly professional team is qualified leading industry experts in the fields of planning, claims, disputes, commercial, contrac

www.damian-james.co.uk

Biography:

has extensive and global experience chnical, legal and financial sectors. set to become a global leader in the d to work across several sectors as ct and project management.

Damian is a delay and quantum expert with 30 years of experience in construction projects. He has extensive direct experience of working on contractual disputes for contractors, subcontractors and employers which provides a sound basis for more than 60 expert commissions.

Damian has worked on projects internationally and has been appointed as an expert for disputes across Africa, Europe and the United Kingdom. Damian has particular expertise in large scale power stations (both coal and solar powered), oil and gas, mining, rail, roads, stadia and commercial buildings Damian is strong working with forensic planners and quantity surveyors, he is a strong team leader and team player who focuses his strategy on the most appropriate solution for the matter at hand.

Damian's particular experience is in delay analysis and complex disruption valuation, disentangling global claims to establish the relationship of particular cause and effect, particularly in matters of dominancy and concurrency.

Damian is client facing and is an exceptional quantity surveyor who presents his determinations in an expert manner by using detailed analysis that integrates the delay and quantum assessment to determine the entitlement of submissions.

Damian's experience is as a party-appointed expert, tribunal-appointed expert and as a mediator in large dispute resolution.

Damian continues to be highly regarded by the barristers and solicitors that he has worked with in the UK and Africa and receives particular commendation on his ability to understand his brief, present concise written reports and provide an erudite articulation of matters under examination to the tribunal.

WWL says: Damian James is a highly regarded delay and quantum expert who boasts vast experience advising on sophisticated projects in Africa.

UNITED KINGDOM London & Manchester Mobile: 0044 7961 823006 Telephone: 0044 161 920 7993

SOUTH AFRICA Gauteng, 40/3 Ash Road, Kyalami, Johannesburg.

Telephone: +44 207 099 8799

MST Health & Safety Services & Greystone Associates MST brings together the experience of two leading health & safety consultants Eddie Braillard: CMIOSH, MIIAI, IMaPS Graham Cosham: ACIOB Tech IOSH, IMaPS, MInstLM, MInstCM Eddie has over 40 years civil engineering and construction experience, having worked in a consultancy and safety services capacity on major highways, water and construction projects. He is a chartered member of IOSH and on the register of OHSCR Consultants. He is a registered trainer with the CITB. Graham has worked in the construction industry both military and civilian for over 40 years up to the level of project manager.

As a safety consultant for 25 years.

2019

Federation of Federation of

Expert witnesses Forensic Forensic & Expert&witnesses

Eddie Braillard: 01323 489822 Graham Cosham: 01273 505121 Eddie Braillard: 07898 966755 Graham Cosham: 07885 405231 info@msthealthandsafetyservices.co.uk grey.stone@ntlworld.com www.msthealthandsafetyservices.co.uk

Every company has a legal and moral responsibility to ensure the health and safety of its employees.

Their combined multi-disciplinary experience covers all the main Health and Safety litigation support bases across the construction and industrial industry sectors and dealing with issues such as:

• • • • • •

CDM advisors/Principal Designer Site health and safety.

Accident investigation.

Safety inspections and audits.

Fire risk assessment.

Demolition and excavation.

Mr Graham Cosham & Mr Eddie Braillard 18 Boswell Walk Langney Eastbourne East Sussex BN23 7QL

Eddie Braillard: 01323 489822 Graham Cosham: 01273 505121 Eddie Braillard: 07898 966755 Graham Cosham: 07885 405231 info@msthealthandsafetyservices.co.uk grey.stone@ntlworld.com www.msthealthandsafetyservices.co.uk

01480 469367 | 07815 784003 | roger@thewoodshop.biz

Timber Consultancy And Expert Witness Services

• • • • • • • •

Over 30 years’ experience in wood products industry 25 years experience preparing Expert Witness reports Timber investigation into performance, fitness for purpose and cause of failure Specialist in wood flooring, joinery and use of timber in construction Expert opinion based on technical standards and current industry best practice Professionally trained and certified Expert Witness 2015, conversant with CPR 35 Single and SJE instructions undertaken Experienced in dealing with solicitors, counsel and giving evidence in court

www.timberconsultancy.co.uk

Award for Expert witness services to the Arboricultural industry 2019 It Gives us great pleasure to announce that the Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses has announced this years Independent Awards and has profiled one of its members for their outstanding work with in their chosen specialty in this case Tom from Arbor Cultural who works out of Surrey but covers the U.K market.

This is for the lifetime of commitment he has given to the field of Arboriculture both to his customers and to the Expert witness industry. The Awards are independent to the Federation are designed to raise the profile and highlight in their opinion the best in their given fields of expertise.

The Federation hope to bring this to the attention of the lawyers and barristers that follow them on linked in and who visit their site and read their E-mag that can be viewed at www.forensicandexpertwitness. co.uk.

Where trees cause damage to property or harm to people, indirect or direct damage to buildings, tree decay or tree failure cases, and protected tree matters (Tree Preservation Orders or Conservation Area issues).

They only become involved in cases in these sectors as these are where their in-depth expertise and very substantial experience allow them to provide an unequaled service.

They can advise in any of these subjects that may need a report writing for the courts. The Federation fully recommend Tom and are pleased to announce him as this year’s recipient.

Tom is a Surrey based expert and has a special interest in Arboricultural cases including all subjects like Arboricultural Expert Witness Work and covers the following subjects:

You can contact Tom now and ask for his help.

Federation of

Forensic & Expert witnesses

Award 2019

Federation of Award for Expert witness services to

Tom with the award

Forensic & Expert witnesses

the Arboricultural industry

Arbor Cultural Ltd

W

e at Arbor Cultural Ltd. are able to undertake expert witness work. Tom has completed the Bond Solon Expert Witness training course 2017. This was run through Cardiff University in conjunction with the Consulting Arborist Society.

This covered the Civil Procedure Rules Part 35 for civil cases and the Criminal Procedure Rules 2015 Part 19 for criminal cases and the Code of Practice for Experts, so we at Arbor Cultural are able to cover expert witness work covering both civil and criminal proceedings.

Arbor Cultural is based just outside Hampton Court, in Surrey, but has offices in West Sussex and Hampshire. Our main work area is the southeast of England, predominantly Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, London, Middlesex and Berkshire but we will consider all work within reasonable travelling distance.

He is a professional member of the Arboricultural Association and is currently working towards becoming an AA Registered Consultant.

He is the president of the Consulting Arborist Society (CAS) and is on their board and he is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) gaining their Certified Arborist qualification.

He is also currently working towards attaining Chartered Environmentalist status. Tom is also leading the arboricultural group involved with representing arboriculture for Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Arbor Cultural has been established for over four years now, however, our consultant, I S Thompson (known as Tom) has been working in the arboricultural industry for over 10 years. In addition, he has over 10 years’ experience studying and working in the environmental forestry and woodland management sector prior to that.

He has achieved a BSc (Hons) in Arboriculture through Myerscough College. This adds to the MSc he attained in Environmental Forestry through Bangor University.

His experience of working in both the public and private sectors means that he is well placed to know the requirements of the Local Planning Authorities (LPA’-s) including Statutory Legislation, Case Law, British Standards and local policies.

He worked as Connick Tree Care’s principal Arboricultural Consultant for a period of 2 years, from May 2012 to May 2014.Prior to that he was employed at Kings Lynn Borough Council, where he was their Tree and Landscape Advisor for 2 years.

This involved sharing his time between the Leisure and Parks Department and the Development Services Department. This followed a period of 3 years working as a Trees and Woodlands assistant at St Albans District Council, based in the Planning Department but liaising with the Housing and Parks Departments.

Tom is involved with advanced tree inspections involving sonic tomography and micro drills to assess the degradation and decay of tree stems to determine their structural stability and suitability for retention.

The Award Winning

ARBOR CULTURAL LTD Our Services Include: • Arboricultural Expert Witness Work • Tree Related Subsidence Assessments • Tree Related Mortgage/Insurance Reports • Tree Health and Safety Surveys and Reports • Advanced Surveys, Decay Detection Testing • Tree Vitality Chlorophyll Fluorescence • BS5837 Reports, AIA, and Method Statements • BS5837 Site Supervision • TPO and Conservation Area Tree Issues • High Hedge Consultancy • Tree Amenity Assessments

0333 577 5523 | 07899 984162 | admin@arbor-cultural.co.uk | www.arbor-cultural.co.uk

Mr Andrew Ebben BSc (Hons), Cert Ed, CMIOSH

Safety Consultant

I have over 30 years experience in swimming pool safety and in all aspects of aquatic safety, previously as a local authority safety officer, MD Institute of Qualified Lifeguards, Director of Education Royal Life Saving Society UK and Principal Consultant with Quality Leisure Management. Currently Principal Consultant with AQUA Leisure Safety and Training Services.

I have over 25 years experience in accident investigation as expert witness in civil and criminal cases and for HM Coroners. Past vice Chairman of the National Water Safety Committee, Chairman of CEN Safety Standards Committee from 1993 until 2017 and CEN Principal UK Expert.

Principal Consultant

Honours Graduate, Chartered Member of IOSH, listed on the UK Occupational Safety and Health Consultants’ Register, Fellow of CIMSPA, Fellow of CIPD and a Graduate of the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Specialist in all areas of aquatic safety and in particular, swimming pool and pool diving accident investigation.

The Old Bakehouse, 10 Long Street. BELTON Leicestershire LE12 9TP 01530 222675 | 07985 412320 | andyebben@aqualeisuresafety.co.uk

www.aqualeisuresafety.co.uk

Mr Paul Harding BA(Hons) DipArch(Dist) RIBA MIoD AMAE

Chartered Architect Mr Paul Harding acts as an architect expert witness in cases involving building and construction investigations across the UK and Channel Islands.

His Reports Encompass: • Architecture • Design • Planning • Building regulations • Construction • Building defects • Contract administration • Professional negligence • Architect's appointments and fees Mr Harding can undertake instructions on behalf of either claimant or defendant or as a Single Joint Expert.

The Academy of Experts Associate Practising Member - Expert Chartered Architect.

White Lodge | Wellington Road St Saviour | Jersey | JE2 7TE +44 (0)1534 768740 enquiry@bdkarchitects.com www.bdkarchitects.com

Award Winning Architecture

www.bdkarchitects.com

Award for Expert Witness Architectural Services It Gives us great pleasure to announce that the Federation of Forensic and Expert Witnesses has announced this years Independent Awards and has profiled one of its members for their outstanding work with in their chosen specialty in this case James Groux from Building Design Workshop Ltd who works out of Surrey but covers the U.K market. d

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This is for the lifetime of commitment he has given to the field of Construction both to his customers and to the Expert witness industry. The Awards are independent to the Federation are designed to raise the profile and highlight in their opinion the best in their given fields of expertise. The Federation hope to bring this to the attention of the lawyers and barristers that follow them on linked in and who visit their site and read their E-mag that can be viewed at www.forensicandexpertwitness.co.uk.

James is a Surrey based expert and has a special interest in the spacial needs of physically impaired people and he has his own skillful approach to space planning to ensure that the best use of all areas of a persons home is explored and the benefits realised.

He can advise in any of these subjects that may need a report writing for the courts. The Federation fully recommend James and are pleased to announce him as this year’s recipient.

James Groux Dip Arch RIBA MAPM, MAE Federation of

Forensic & Expert witnesses

Award 2019

Architectural Services

Federation of

James Groux

Chartered Architect Expert Witness

James Groux has over 40 years experience in the Industry. In that time he has developed skills in a number of areas and has acted as an expert witness in some of these. In particular James has become very specialised in understanding the spacial needs of physically impaired people and he has his own skillful approach to space planning to ensure that the best use of all areas of a persons home is explored and the benefits realised.

In addition to his work in the field of property adaptation and space planning James has a wealth of experience in technical building issues.

Having been an architect for 40 years has given James an excellent foundation of knowledge.

In addition he has also been a Building Contractor and Project Manager for the past 15 years and has developed an understanding of building techniques and potential risks that matches anyone in the industry.

This makes him a valuable asset in cases of building failures.

Brief Resume of Experience

I have been involved with designing for disabled clients since 1983 and have been registered with numerous Councils as an expert with regards professional services in accomodation needs. My practice has also partnered Health Authorities in the renovation, new build and improvements for facilities for residents in care. My experience covers a wide field of health care work and has involved the Practice in numerous adaptations to individual houses for physically disabled clients.

In practice I have been responsible for over two hundred minor and major adaptation projects and further projects comprising; Residential Care, Therapy Care, Nursing Care, Medical Practices, Care in the Community and designing for the needs of physically and mentally disabled people. I have been preparing reports for Solicitors and the Courts since 1990 and I am in the Register of Expert Witnesses. Many of my expert witness cases have resulted in me being retained by the claimants to design and administer major and minor works to their homes following court awards for provision of future needs. I am a practicing member of the academy of experts and i am now also a member of the federation of forensic and expert witnesses.

I have given lectures and seminars on designing for the disabled and have taught Architects and Occupational Therapists on the subject of adaptation work. I have carried out a number of Access Audits on public and private buildings in order to address the requirements of part M of the Building Regulations and the guidelines encompassed with the Disability Discrimination Act.

James A Groux Dip Arch ARB / RIBA / MAPM / MAE

Airport House | Suite 43-45 | Purley Way | Croydon | Surrey | CR0 0XZ 07455 301000 | www.architectsbdw.com | www.expertsbdw.com

Sol Management Services Solomon N’Jie BA(Hons) and FdA in Crowd Safety Management Expert Witness Cardiff University Bond Solon (Civil) Cert UAV - Permission for Commercial Operations (CAA) Work Based Learning in Higher Education Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Spectator Safety Management Level 4 Diploma in the Remote Piloting of Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Commercial Operation Level 4 (ProQual) A Defence Strategy for Litigation Claims through Effective Crowd Safety Management Practices A key question every event organiser should ask themselves before allowing the public into their event is; would your event plan and response to more serious crowd safety related incidents, stand up to independent scrutiny, litigation or survive an inquest?

In my role as a Crowd Safety Management Expert I deal with the aftermath of events that go wrong and cause harm to members of the public. Writing the reports for the courts and lawyers involves a close examination of the documentation relating to event planning, staffing, roles & responsibilities, training, communication, delivery processes and event logs.

While reading through the bundles sent by lawyers, it is striking how many events do not have a full set of risk assessed documentation with a process to deal with unplanned changes during the event. It is important to realise that major event incidents are frozen in time and get unpicked by the legal profession, experts and the media. Remember the recent Hillsborough inquest looked at that disaster through the prism of legislation, guidance and best practice in 1989.

The Attorney Steve Adelman summed up the legal process when he said; “When lawyers retrospectively review a set of facts, which happens in every lawsuit, we first argue about what a hypothetical reasonable person would have done under those facts. The parties' duelling standard of care experts advocate for what they believe "reasonable" conduct would have been. Then the lawyers compare the litigants' (mis)conduct against this purportedly objective standard”.

Many studies have been done about what causes accidents and it has been shown that injuries invariably result from a sequence of factors, often referred to as the domino effect, the last act being the injury itself. It was Toft (1990) who said that “near misses should not be shrugged off but instead be treated as fortunately benign experiences,

• UAV (Drone) Solutions:

• Crowd Safety and Security • Expert Witness Services • Sports Performance Analysis

Aerial CROWD SAFETY & Security

since if the same events were to repeat themselves in less forgiving circumstances the disaster might ensue”. Accidents and injurie can often be prevented if action is taken at any point during the sequence, but this requires good planning and event delivery with competent staff.

Crowd safety management planning and preparation can be distilled down to a number of processes that all events should follow. A prominent Statement of Intent at the beginning of any Crowd Management document, clearly laying out responsibilities for planning, delivery and monitoring crowd safety, enables all parties to completely understand the terms of the proposed agreement. It should also cover what the supplier is not responsible for, helpful with framing responses to complaints or litigation actions.

The starting point for a crowd safety management plan is information gathering to fully understand the attraction, particularly the performers and crowd, their profile and demographic, needs, expectation and likely behaviour. Questions arising over the venue such as realistic capacity, unique or adapted premises and suitability for event use should be tackled early. Other influences that could potentially affect the planning process such as weather, transport issues, conflicting events and media hype should also be looked into.

Event organisers have a duty of care to staff and spectators and should take reasonable steps to ensure their safety. Therefore, a risk assessment process must feature prominently in any crowd safety management plan.

Understanding how and why incidents may occur at an event requires a little detective work using techniques such as Extreme Value Analysis (EVA), a two level system of analysis adapted by Mick Upton, when planning for crowd safety at organised public events. EVA is simply a method of estimating the probability of a rare event happening and can be used as a first step in the process of assessing risk, to try and ensure accidents from the past are not repeated in the future.

Based on the information gathered, predictions can then be made on the likely crowd behaviour during each event phase e.g. Arrival, Ingress, Movement, Egress and Dispersal. Venue footprint design considerations, information, communication, staffing levels and management processes can then be developed.

A suitable risk assessment should take place throughout this process to validate and ensure crowd safety.

A plan is only as good as the staff that implement it. ‘You should provide an adequate number of staff to ensure effective crowd management’ (Managing Crowds Safely HSE). Implementing a checkin system to make sure the correct number of staff with appropriate qualifications, skills and knowledge are present on the day, is essential.

Briefing, deployment and the ability to maintain constant communication, to ensure staff efforts are aligned with the event needs is important, while monitoring for signs of capability mismatch.

A management structure with the ability to detect incidents, assess them and determine the correct course action should also be in place. Crowd management is a team effort, no single person can reasonably be expected to undertake strategic, tactical and operational tasks on an event that can involve large numbers of staff working across a wide area where a number of different activities are likely to be taking place (Mick Upton 2015).

There is a requirement to record reportable injuries, diseases or dangerous occurrences in a consistent and accurate manner. Applicable responses to incidents should also be documented together with appropriate radio traffic logs. David Masters HM Coroner for Wiltshire Inquest into the Hercules crash of January 2005 made the point; “I believe that the ability to retrieve and view documents which record key decisions is not just important, but essential – and equally important is the rationale behind them.”

Contingency plans must be developed to respond effectively to health and safety incidents and other emergencies that may occur. The plan needs to be proportionate to the level of risk presented by event activities and the potential extent and severity of incidents. It should include procedures to be followed by staff in an emergency using the resources available onsite. Gaining agreement with the local authority and emergency services, to be clear about roles and responsibilities with an agreed hand over process to establish primacy for the incident, should be sorted before the event.

The question is whether the defendants took such care as in all the circumstances was reasonable to see that the plaintiff would be reasonably safe in spectating. The duty of care is therefore only to take reasonable steps in the circumstances.

It does not extend to ensuring the safety of a visitor such as the plaintiff in every circumstance.

Unfortunate accidents will always happen. In this case, I am satisfied that the duty of care was properly taken by the defendants to ensure that the arena was as safe as reasonably possible for the plaintiff”

Mark Scoggins Solicitor Advocate and a lead in Health and Safety and Environmental Law put it most eloquently when he said; “No record, no proof, you lose the argument”

Can all this planning, preparation and managed delivery make any difference to a civil litigation claims? Let us consider an interesting case where the plaintiff claimed damages for injuries sustained whilst she was attending an ice hockey game at the Odyssey Arena between Belfast Giants and Cardiff Devils. During the warm up she was sitting as a spectator when she was struck on the forehead by a puck which left the ice rink. This girl received a nasty laceration above her eye which required suturing and has left a scar of which she is conscious. She was claiming an award in this case of £30,000.

Sol Management Services provide the planning and integration of UAV (Drone) solutions to enhance Event Management, Crowd Safety and Security.

The judge in his summing up said: “It does not of course necessarily follow from the fact that the plaintiff was struck that the defendants are liable.

Solomon N’Jie 07989664070 Sol@solmanagement.co.uk solmanagement.co.uk

Martin Rickman BSc, MRICS, FRGS

Chartered Land Surveyor

• • • • • • • • •

Boundary dispute resolution.

Expert witness.

Court compliant reports (CPR part 35).

Single joint expert (SJE).

Land registry compliant sales plans.

Land registry compliant plans for land being divided.

Land registry compliant lease plans.

First registration of land.

Determined boundary plans.

6 Morris Court | Yaxley | PETERBOROUGH | Cambridgeshire | PE7 3GJ 01733 243880 | 07710 223951 | rickman@cyberware.co.uk | www.mrickman.co.uk

Chartered Architect, Arbitrator & Expert Witness

www.williambates.co.uk William Bates

BSc (Hons), Dip.Arch., RIBA, ACIArb Independant Architect with RIBA Chartered Practice status and Member of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, with extensive Expert Witness experience, both as a party Expert and as a Single Joint Expert, in the following areas: Architect Professional Negligence and Fee Disputes.

Architect / Client /Builder Disputes Party Wall Disputes / Town Planning disputes Building Defects arising from New Build, Conversions, Refurbishments, Alterations and Extensions, particularly in the Domestic Sector.

Proficient in the analysis of evidence and the preperation of Reports. Public Inquiry and High Court experience.

Registered with the UK Register of Expert Witness. Waterlow Legal, X-Pro and Expert Witness.’Member of the Society of Expert Witnesses’ and ‘Listed on the RIBA panel of Expert Witnesses’.

UK wide coverage

M:07734 471400 T:01435 812973 E:will@williambates.co.uk Oaklands, High Street, Horam, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 0EJ

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020 8288 3611 | www.redwoodcollections.com info@redwoodcollections.com

Quote “FFEW5” when enquiring to receive a commission rate of just 5% on your first case Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Telephone calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes.

T.J. CHARTERED SURVEYORS An Expert Witness is one who can demonstrate real knowledge, experience and wisdom on the point in question. In line with this philosophy, the Professional Surveyor is respected and held in high esteem within the community. Proficient in measurement and computations, a Chartered Surveyor who provides his services as an Expert Witness will have proven the ability to comply with inexact laws, in addition to exact sciences. Thereby making the Expert Witness Chartered Surveyor an important part of the team in dispute cases surrounding property, planning and boundaries.

For the court to be satisfied of the their competency, the Expert Witness Chartered Surveyor must not only be able to speak with authority and create precise, accurate easy- to-understand reports, but they should also have achieved qualifications giving them the right to have the letters MRICS or FRICS after his or her name. These qualifications will also classify the Expert to become a Member or a Fellow of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).

Founder of T.J. Chartered Surveyors, Terry Gregson FRICS FFBE MEWI - ticks all the right boxes for those looking for a Chartered Surveyor who possesses all of the requisite qualifications and expertise to provide precise, accurate and sound judgement acting as an Expert Witness in cases involving disputes regarding property, planning and boundaries.

Services provided by the company include: • • • • • • • • •

Buildings, Boundaries and Planning Valuations; Surveys; Party Wall Awards; Rent Reviews / Lease Renewals; Rating; Design and Management, & offering his services as an Expert Witness & Mediator.

Terry is able to draw on over 40 years experience at his former practice, where he undertook the post of principal partner. Since Terry founded T.J. Chartered Surveyors he has never looked back; with the company today boasting an impressive client-base of satisfied customers throughout Essex and East Anglia and London and adjacent Home Counties.

A sole Consultant at T.J. Chartered Surveyors, Terry now principally provides building surveys for buyers of residential and commercial properties, as well as giving planning and development guidance, as he outlined in a recent interview: “I concentrate on advising purchasers of residential and commercial properties and my 'specialism' is period and listed buildings.”

The company’s commitment to provide a truly customer-orientated service is highlighted by the fact that T.J. Chartered Surveyors offer a free, no obligation initial consultation from which the company’s dedicated team can determine the type of notice required and the likely cost implications.

Terry Gregson FRICS FFBE MEWI

T.J. CHARTERED SURVEYORS 60 Western Road Billericay Essex CM12 9DT T: 01277 623 397 M: 07860345682

Dr Tim Lodge

BSc (Hons) PhD RIPTA

Turf Consultant

Dr Tim Lodge has over 25 years’ experience in sports surface research, agronomy and construction and has worked throughout the UK, in the USA, Europe, Africa and China. His PhD is on ‘The Construction, Irrigation and Fertiliser Nutrition of UK Golf Greens’ from the University of Leeds, 1994. His experience covers the design, management, construction procedures and materials in relation to all sports played on grass and outdoor artificial surfaces.

Dr Lodge can act as an expert witness, including the preparation of expert reports and appearing in court, in cases relating to all aspects of sports turf and surface management, construction and establishment.

In August 2005, Dr Lodge founded Agrostis Turf Consultancy, which was incorporated in 2008. He is a founder member and treasurer of RIPTA, the Register of Independent Professional Turfgrass Agronomists. Agrostis is a Professional Services Division member of SAPCA (the Sport and Play Construction Association).

His specialist areas of expertise include:

Tim Lodge examining the splendid turf of the Waikato Chiefs rugby team's Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand.

• Turfgrass species identification • Soil, grass, top dressing and rootzones for sports turf • Sports turf drainage, construction and project management • Drainage and flood avoidance in artificial sports pitches • Playing quality characteristics • Commercially produced turf quality • Turf irrigation and water use • Golf course feature design and maintenance

Dr Tim Lodge BSc (Hons) PhD RIPTA Turf Consultant Agrosis Turf Consultancy Ltd 01359 259361 21 Grove Park Walsham Le Willows Bury Saint Edmunds IP31 3AE

01359 259361 07725 629492 info@agrostis.co.uk www.agrostis.co.uk

EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Barton | Cambridge

2019

Federation of ederation of

Expert witnesses sic Forensic & Expert&witnesses

Health and Safety Law | Construction | RC Frames | Civil Engineering CDM Regulations | Investment Casting Wax | Heavy Manufacturing Automotive | Aerospace | Events | Warehousing | Risk Assessment Vulnerable Person | Young Persons - RA Lupus Consilium undertake Expert Witness instructions for legal procedings, as laid down in the CPR Part 35 and CrimPR Part 19, in cases involving Occupational Health and Safety. All instructions are carried out competently, independently and impartially. The resulting reports follow the model format laid down by The Academy of Experts.

The company assist legal teams with expert technical knowledge, skills and experience in the field of Occupational Health and Safety and in the preparation and management of defence materials for their cases.

They can also carry out reviews of previous investigations and reinvestigate, as required, to provide assistance for legal teams.

Lupus Consilium Ltd is owned and run by Michele Jarvis (pictured) who started the company in August 2016.

Michele has worked in a variety of industries including Aerospace, Construction (Building, Civil's and Tunnelling), Foundry, Healthcare and Retail.

This allows her to understand the different types of hazards that are present in most industries as well as how to manage them and any residual risks.

Michele Jarvis MSc DipNEBOSH FIIRSM RSP CMIOSH MIIAI MABI AMICE

01223 263306 | 07941 329 932 | michele@lupusconsilium.co.uk | www.lupusconsilium.co.uk

KEVIN HAINSWORTH (MRICS B.Sc,)

Chartered Land Surveyor & Expert Witness on Boundary Disputes When you’re addressing boundary issues you need a focused, dependable expert who can get to the heart of the matter, quickly. That’s exactly what you can expect from Chartered Land Surveyor and Expert Witness Kevin Hainsworth - MRICS BSc - who provides this professional service via his Manchester based company Insepes Ltd which he founded in 2010.

Kevin has all the necessary credentials to provide a reliable, independent service as an Expert Witness specialising in Boundary Disputes, including extensive academic training which led to him gaining a B.Sc (Hons) in Surveying/Geography at the University of Newcastle. After which, in 1988, he qualified as a Chartered Land Surveyor (MRICS); going on to successfully undertake a post-graduate diploma at Nottingham University.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Kevin’s remains committed to developing his academic knowledge and extending his skills base by keeping himself informed regarding the role and responsibilities of both an Expert Witness and an RICS member by taking part in CPD and networking events, visiting relevant websites and maintaining his subscriptions to e-newsletters and professional associations.

This philosophy is highlighted by the fact that in 2008 he attended an RICS Neighbour Dispute Resolution Service course, after which he attended a 3-day Bond Solon Expert Witness Training Course. Three years later Kevin qualified as a Member of the RICS Expert Witness Registration Scheme, having passed the Cardiff University Law School Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificate. In 2013 Kevin attended a one-day Expert Witness Meetings Training Course held by Penny Harper of Legal Experience Training.

Kevin is also able to draw on his vast practical experience spanning more than 2 decades dealing with Boundary Disputes, which includes having worked as a Chartered Land Surveyor at ND Oliver & Co Ltd for 8 years during which time Kevin gained a wide and varied experience of topographical surveying, measured building surveying and setting-out.

Kevin continued to develop his communication skills whilst working as a Regional Trainer for two international surveying equipment manufacturers.

Key to Kevin’s success as an Expert Witness is his ability to gather..... qualify..... collate...... and present data from diverse sources, as he outlined in a recent interview: “Referrals from Solicitors account for 2/3rds of the cases I undertake as an Expert Witness, with 80% of these involving a Solicitor acting on behalf of an Insurance Company. The other 1/3rd of cases I accept on behalf of members of the public. Whilst the majority of cases I undertake as an Expert Witness, (95%) are settled out of Court, I am trained and experienced in attending Court should the need arise.”

“I have been involved in acting as an Expert Witness in Boundary Disputes for over 25 years but have undertaken this service full time for the past 8 years. The earlier you can get an expert to look at an issue the better: The expert may well spot something that hasn’t been noticed before. My job as an Expert Witness relies on my ability to collect, refine and filter relevant information and to present it in a way that enables the decision maker, whether that’s a Barrister, property owner or Solicitor, to come to an informed and sensible decision based on their own expertise, experience and qualifications.

In the 24 years since Kevin became a qualified member of the RICS he has worked on many varied boundary cases including: •

• • •

Successfully using the Land Registry Determined Boundary procedure to resolve a dispute in Cheshire that had been rumbling on for over 20 years. Having been instructed by the Court the determined the most likely position of the legal boundary, set out that boundary and reported back to the court and Land Registry when a new fence had been erected to his satisfaction.

Disputes where, as a result of his work, agreement was possible without the need to go to Court.

Producing a CPR Part 35 Expert Surveyor report for the Land Registry Adjudicator and being cross-examined over 2 days at the adjudication hearing.

Producing Lease Plans and Land Transfer Plans for submission to the Land Registry.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise to learn that Kevin has earned a reputation as a dependable, straighttalking Expert Witness who takes pride in both the quality and value of his work, producing clear, succinct plans and reports which isolate and explain key issues to laymen and lawyers alike.

The testimonial below is typical of the commendations regularly received by Kevin from satisfied clients: “Kevin demonstrated that he had a full understanding of the role, duties and responsibilities of an expert witness. In particular,he was aware of his requirements to the Court as outlined in Part 35 of the Civil procedure Rules.He acted in a professional manner at all times and in particular was able to deal directly with members of the public.”Ralli LLP

Do you want speedy settlement of a boundary dispute?

Insepes can help, contact us today.

Kevin Hainsworth 792 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury Manchester M20 6UG T: 0161 286 0795 M: 07806 782 197 E: kevin@insepes.co.uk W: www.insepes.co.uk

Robert (Robin) A.K. Szmidt

BSc PhD MCIWM CEnv MIHort

EXPERT WITNESS Specialist services for Biogas, AD, I originally trained as a biologist graduating from Wye College (University of London) before gaining my PhD in compost science from Stirling University. I have been described by others as “a renowned specialist working in the field of waste and resource-use”.

This needs a multidisciplinary approach and I’ve worked closely with, and been part of, engineering teams working in these areas. Projects span sustainable resource use and renewable energy, environmental protection, the interface with societal wastes, systemdesign and operation.

After postgraduate time at Stirling, from 1982 I worked for The UK Ministry of Agriculture prior to becoming Head of Department for protected crops research at the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC): particularly hydroponics and resource recovery.

In this role I was ultimately responsible for management of a multi-disciplinary team providing:

* Specialist research and technical development in organics and recycling systems (e.g. composting and recovered minerals) * Industrial-scale glasshouse research with particular emphasis on energy and hydroponic systems * Public-sector technical advice * A bespoke industrial-scale micropropagation facility serving the UK soft-fruit industry through commercial R&D I have worked in industry since 2003 after developing a spin-out business from its ‘academic’ hub. This includes large-scale biological and thermal technologies in association with substantial engineering firms.

Systems generate renewable energy and fertiliser (compost & digestate), and may be linked to specialist crop production methods such as hydroponics.

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Assessments related to org bio-wastes and waste renewable ener Odour, emissions and from organic waste Waste types, material recycling and Export of inappropria and recyclate Production of illegal substances (drugs) us (composts and hydro Protected crop and in-building sy (mechanical, electrical a

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Renewable Energy & Hydroponics

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INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE: I have been involved in a number of international projects giving me unrivalled first-hand experience of my field. These include:

EUROPE : Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland & Scandinavia NORTH AMERICA : USA and Canada ELSEWHERE: Hong Kong & PR China, Middle East including Oman, Israel and the Palestinian Territories (Gaza and West Bank) Projects span systems and use of materials derived from natural resources, source segregated wastes, unsegregated and Mechanical-Biological treatment (MBT) waste technologies. In most situations tasks are complex and relate to integrated engineering, renewable and recovered energy, not just use, recovery or disposal.

ouse, 25 Scaur O'Doon Rd, Ayr, South Ayrshire, KA7 4EP UK +44 (0) 1292 440000 & +44 (0) 7952748549 @targetrenewables.com www.targetrenewables.com

MANDERSTAM INTERNATIONAL GROUP CONSULTING ENGINEERS IN PROCESS AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

PRINCIPALS:

• • • • • • • •

Eur.Ing.P.D.Lumley, B.S.c, C., Eng.,I. Mech.E. Dr.J.A.Rakestraw, B.sc.,ARCS,phD, Dic

EXPERT WITNESSES FOR:

Mechanical and Process Engineering Manufacturing Industries Oil and Gas Industries Petrochemicals and Chemicals Pharmaceuticals Fertilizers and Pesticides Metallurgic Industries Safety and Environmental

10 Greycoat Place Westminster, London SW1P 1SB T: 020 7730 9224 F: 020 7823 3058 E: plumley@manderstam.com

WWW.manderstam.com

Individual Member 2012-2018

MANDERSTAM INTERNATIONAL GROUP Expert Engineers in Process and Industrial Engineering

Niche consultancy prospers in the “CSI” role within engineering.

There is evidence that the way to defend the U.K.'s global position in engineering consultancy is to provide a quality of service and speed of response that reflect our national education and character.

Manderstam International Group are expert engineers in process and industrial engineering, established in 1941, that provides independent, bespoke engineering and inves- tigative services.

Our specialised team comprises talented, wellqualified chartered engineers who perform the "CSI" role within the engineering sector, particularly in the proc- ess and industrial engineering industries: oil/ gas, petroleum refining, gas to liquids and biofuels, petrochemicals and gas technology, power generation pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, pesticides, salt based industries, steel and nonferrous manufacturing and processing, coating technology, food processing, cement, glass manufacture and vegetable oils and fats.

We have a varied workload of investigative and forensic engineering that provide some of the most demanding and intellectual challenges. These roles take "no prisoners", but our engineers find that if they can meet the challenges the rewards are there.

The 30 second appraisal of your companies performance in the process industries !

Manderstam carries out global benchmarking studies in process industries enabling our client’s management to critically review the performance of its asset against its industries top performers.

Manderstam holds a global data- base of cost and operating performance indices for all proc- ess equipment that has been maintained and compiled from over 200 process plants in the last 15 years.

Peter Lumley

Eur. Ing. B.Sc., C.Eng., I.Mech.E., A.S.A.B.E. Expert Engineer in Process and Industrial Engineering in the fields of Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Manufacturing.

Manderstam's expert engineers are involved in some of the largest civil litigation cases in the UK:Our reports permit top management immediately (in 30 seconds!) to ascertain its asset performance against its industry's top performers that enable identification of the "low hanging fruit", for process operating and maintenance improvements.

Our methodology of using normalisation using equipment complexity factors enables different types and sizes of process plant to be normalised and compared directly.

Our benchmarking methodology can be used to estimate operating and maintenance costs, not only of existing plants, but of projected plants in order to accurately model the sensitivity of future operational costs and manpower. This approach was used by BP in the Azerbaijan offshore fields prior to commitment of project costs. Our methodology was used by British Gas in the Morecambe Bay offshore fields for an assessment of their operating costs and man- ning levels as part of an independent assessment for discussion with the unions. A further use of our benchmark- ing methodology was the estimating of a client's suppliers operating and maintenance costs in a dispute over supplier pricing.

Our experts have prepared expert reports and advised strategy and given evidence in extremely complex cases on behalf of both independent UK and multinational compa- nies. Manderstam acted as expert witnesses in the largest civil litigation case in the UK, providing expert evidence in oil storage design and construction following the explosion at the Buncefield¹ oil storage depot in December 2005.

We have been instructed by most of the leading international and domestic law firms. We have received over 60 instructions by the leading UK and international law firms and given oral evidence 24 times in the UK High Court and International Arbitration.

Engineering Clinic Manderstam has a wealth of market and technical informa- tion which is not readily accessible from the public domain. Such data, allied to our talented forensic style analysis and approach to problemsolving, has enabled us to offer an "engineering clinic" service. Much as when the individual has a medical problem, they visit the doctors- here we are offering a service when a company has an engineering problem it visits the experts to seek a solution.

Manderstam will answer questions on market and technical matters, within 48 hours.

expert witness

Manderstam International Group plumley@manderstam.com Tel: 0207 730 9224 MIGL@manderstam.com www.manderstam.com