Upholding Confidence in Clinical Expert Evidence

While clinical knowledge is essential for any expert witness, those providing reports in medico-legal cases must go further. True excellence requires not only subject matter expertise but also a strong understanding of the legal context, a clear sense of professional responsibilities, and the ability to deliver impartial, defensible opinions capable of withstanding judicial scrutiny.

A recent High Court judgment has served as a stark reminder of this. In Liverpool City Council v Ms A & Ors, the court rejected a request for anonymity by Dr Parsi di Landrone, a clinical psychologist whose report was deemed “fundamentally flawed” by all parties. The judge, Ms Justice Harris, criticised the expert’s failure to respect the court’s prior findings and her departure from accepted duties of an expert. The resulting delays, additional costs, and compromised confidence in the expert’s conclusions led the court to suggest she consider returning her fee as a gesture of goodwill.

This judgment highlights the serious consequences when expert evidence falls short—and underscores why the selection of the right expert is critical.

McCollum Consultants – Trusted by the Legal Profession

At McCollum Consultants, we provide access to a carefully selected network of the UK’s leading clinical expert witnesses. Our experts are not only leaders in their respective medical fields, but they are also trained, supported, and consistently appraised to meet the complex demands of legal proceedings.

We go far beyond simply matching CVs to cases; our team of case managers are experts in their own right. They have in-depth knowledge of their respective fields and can provide invaluable guidance on the right expert for your case.

Every expert we instruct has undergone:

• Rigorous onboarding and appraisal, ensuring they combine clinical credibility with forensic aptitude
• Specialist medico-legal training, continuously updated in line with current judicial standards and best practice
• Structured CPD and oversight, maintaining the highest levels of consistency, accuracy, and ethical practice
• Ongoing case management support, providing solicitors with responsive, informed guidance throughout the life of each instruction

We also offer Preliminary Case Screening, enabling solicitors to assess case viability at an early stage, ensuring cost-effective and efficient use of expert input.

Why Solicitors Choose McCollum

We understand the professional risks solicitors bear when relying on expert evidence. Our systems are designed to ensure:

• Transparent, professional communication
• Timely, reliable reporting
• Objective, legally sound conclusions
• Full compliance with the duties of an expert witness

Whether advising on a sensitive care application, a complex civil matter, or multi-jurisdictional litigation, you can be confident that every McCollum expert is fully prepared to meet the highest evidential standards.

Commitment to Excellence

In an environment of growing judicial scrutiny, the importance of instructing the right expert cannot be overstated. At McCollum Consultants, we are committed to upholding the integrity of the legal process by providing experts who combine outstanding medical expertise with exceptional legal understanding.

To find out how we can support your next instruction, please contact our Case Management Team:

Tel: +44 (0)161 218 0223
Email: info@exp-w.com