Teesside Magistrates Court

Medical Experts to Face Cross-Examination at Mock Trial

Medical experts from throughout Teesside will be in the dock this month at an event aimed at uncovering the mysteries behind giving evidence in medical-based legal cases.

Leading national law firm Irwin Mitchell has teamed up with Teesside Magistrates Court to support the region's medical professionals for when the time comes to be an expert witness.

The firm is hosting a seminar – which will take the form of a Mock Trial at Teesside Magistrates Court – that will help the region's medical professionals to develop the right skills to become a successful medico-legal witness.

The Expert Witnesses in Personal Injury Cases seminar takes place on Thursday 6 May 2010 and is aimed at everyone in the medical profession, from all specialities including general practitioners, consultants and therapists.

Subjects covered will include the theory and law behind expert evidence, the role of medical evidence, giving evidence in court, duties of an expert, witness box skills and cross-examination.

John Davis, regional managing partner of Irwin Mitchell in the North East, said: "Any medical professional can be called upon to provide evidence during an inquest or personal injury trial. The information which they give can, ultimately, have a dramatic impact on the case's outcome so it is vital they know and understand the best way to present their evidence to the court."

The seminar will be held in a real court room with Paul Rose QC, an expert in Personal Injury, providing advice from a Judge's perspective and Christopher Makey and David Cunnington, both of Old Square Chambers, highlighting questioning techniques.

Any medical professional interested in attending the Expert Witnesses in Personal Injury Cases seminar should contact Rachel Watson at Irwin Mitchell on 01642 246 915.