Blog - Medico Legal Healthcare

Paediatric neuropsychiatrists and negligence in children

November 27, 2025

Medication, Mental Health, and the Developing Brain: Paediatric Neuropsychiatry in Medico-Legal Assessment

In medico-legal settings—whether involving clinical negligence, family law, safeguarding, or education-based disputes—paediatric neuropsychiatrists play a crucial role in explaining how medication decisions intersect with developmental neurobiology and psychiatric vulnerability. Understanding Pharmacological Negligence in Children Pharmacological negligence occurs when prescribing, monitoring, or discontinuing medication falls below the standard expected in paediatric care. This may involve: Because...

Pharmacological negligence and neuropsychiatrists

November 19, 2025

The Role of Neuropsychiatrists as Expert Witnesses in Pharmacological Negligence

Pharmacological negligence cases involving psychotropic medications, anti-epileptics, or other neuroactive drugs require specialist expertise to determine whether prescribing practices breached acceptable standards. Neuropsychiatrists, with dual training in neurology and psychiatry, provide crucial expert testimony that helps courts understand complex medication-related harm. Understanding Pharmacological Negligence in Neuropsychiatry Pharmacological negligence occurs when healthcare providers fail to meet...

November 19, 2025

The Role of Neuropsychologists in Medico-Legal Occupational Health Assessments

When cognitive or psychological factors affect an employee’s ability to work safely and effectively, determining fitness for work becomes a complex clinical and legal matter. Whether following brain injury, neurological diagnosis, or psychological trauma, questions about capacity, reasonable adjustments, and return-to-work planning require specialist expertise. Neuropsychologists provide objective evaluations that help courts, employers, and insurers...

November 7, 2025

Regulation of Expert Witnesses in Medical Litigation: Why Robust Standards Matter

In recent years, the regulation of expert witnesses in medical and clinical negligence cases has become a growing concern across both legal and healthcare sectors. Senior figures in government and medicine — as highlighted in the news — have warned of a lack of proper oversight and accountability for experts providing evidence in English courts. This issue strikes...

October 27, 2025

How to Write a High-Quality Expert Witness Report

In medico-legal proceedings, an expert witness report is far more than a formality — it is the foundation upon which justice is built. Whether in personal injury, clinical negligence, or capacity assessments, the court relies on the clarity, accuracy, and independence of expert testimony. For healthcare professionals, mastering the art of report writing is therefore...

October 24, 2025

Ethical Challenges for Expert Witnesses: Balancing Objectivity, Confidentiality & Independence

Expert witness operate at the intersection of medicine, law, and ethics. In contrast to clinical roles — where duty centres on patient care — the expert witness serves the court. This distinction brings unique ethical responsibilities, particularly around maintaining objectivity, safeguarding confidentiality, and preserving professional independence. The credibility of the medico-legal process depends on these...

October 22, 2025

Becoming an Expert Witness: A Step-by-Step Guide for Healthcare Professionals

For many healthcare professionals, becoming an expert witness represents a natural and rewarding progression in their career. It offers an opportunity to apply clinical expertise within a legal framework, contributing to justice while maintaining professional development. Yet, this transition requires more than knowledge alone — it demands legal awareness, ethical discipline, and a clear understanding...

October 20, 2025

Selecting the Right Expert Witness: A Solicitor’s Guide

Choosing the right expert witness can be the difference between a strong and credible medico-legal case and one that falters under scrutiny. For instructing solicitors working in clinical negligence, personal injury, or mental health litigation, the selection process requires more than just finding someone qualified — it’s about finding an expert who is independent, experienced, and capable of communicating complex evidence...

October 14, 2025

The Skills Associated with Being an Expert Witness

In legal proceedings, the role of an expert witness is both crucial and complex. Whether in civil, criminal, or family courts, expert witnesses provide the specialist knowledge that helps judges and juries interpret evidence accurately and make informed decisions. Their opinions can significantly influence case outcomes, which means the skills required to perform the role effectively go...

October 10, 2025

Why Speech and Language Therapist Involvement Can Make or Break a Mental Capacity Assessment

Assessing mental capacity is a delicate and highly structured process that requires clear communication, accurate understanding, and thoughtful interpretation. When a neuropsychologist carries out a mental capacity assessment, they must ensure that the individual fully comprehends the information presented, is able to retain and weigh it, and can communicate a decision effectively. But what happens when language or communication difficulties...