Expert Witnesses for Inquests

Independent medical expert evidence can be central to understanding complex medical issues surrounding a death. The medical experts we recommend for inquest proceedings provide clear, well-reasoned opinions informed by their specialist clinical expertise, current practice and the available medical evidence.

Depending on the circumstances, expert opinion may address cause of death, causation, injuries, clinical care, treatment, medical records, post-mortem findings and other specialist medical issues relevant to an inquest.

Medical opinion relating to deaths in prisons, police custody and other detention settings, including clinical care, treatment, monitoring and causation.

Independent medical opinion on treatment, clinical management, monitoring, standards of care and causation following a death in a healthcare setting.

Expert medical opinion following deaths in public places, at home or in the community where specialist medical evidence is required.

Independent medical opinion on cause of death, causation and the interpretation of clinical, medical and post-mortem evidence.

Medical assessment of injuries, causation and other clinical issues arising from fatal accidents, workplace incidents and other circumstances resulting in death.

Complex inquests may involve several medical issues or areas of specialist evidence. Where appropriate, experts from different specialties can provide independent opinion on the medical issues relevant to the circumstances of the death.

Depending on their specialty and the nature of the instruction, our medical expert witnesses can provide independent medico-legal opinion on:

Clinical and medical evidence relevant to determining the cause of death, including medical records, investigations and, where relevant, post-mortem findings.

Whether disease, injury, treatment, an incident or another medical factor caused or contributed to the death.

The nature, severity and likely mechanism of injuries and whether the medical findings are consistent with the circumstances surrounding the death.

Where relevant, whether the clinical care, treatment or monitoring provided was consistent with the standards reasonably expected in the circumstances.

The interpretation and significance of medical records, investigations, treatment, clinical findings and other specialist evidence relevant to the inquest.

1. Send us the case details
   Provide the key party details, a brief outline of the clinical issues and the specialty required.
2. We complete a conflict check
   We carry out an initial conflict check before considering suitable experts.
3. We recommend appropriately qualified experts
   We may recommend one or more appropriately qualified experts for your consideration, taking account of the particular medical issues involved, relevant expertise, current or recent clinical practice, medico-legal experience and availability.
4. Review availability, timescales and costs
   Before instruction, we provide information on expert availability, anticipated report turnaround and estimated fees.
5. You select and instruct the expert
   The decision as to which expert to instruct remains with you. Once selected, our team can coordinate the instruction and subsequent expert work. Where appropriate, we can arrange a preliminary discussion before formal instruction.

We work with appropriately qualified experts across a broad range of medical, surgical, nursing, rehabilitation and allied healthcare specialties. The experts we work with bring relevant clinical or professional experience and specialist knowledge to the issues arising in each inquest.

Every instruction is considered individually. We review the circumstances of the death and the medical or healthcare issues requiring opinion and may recommend one or more appropriately qualified experts, taking account of factors including current or recent clinical or professional practice, specialist knowledge, qualifications, relevant experience, medico-legal experience and availability. The decision as to which expert to instruct remains with the instructing party.

McCollum Consultants supports ongoing medico-legal training and professional development for the experts we work with, alongside each expert's responsibility for maintaining professional competence, independence and compliance with applicable professional and procedural requirements. This includes areas such as report writing, expert duties, independence and objectivity, and preparation for different stages of the medico-legal process.

We believe expert witness work should be personal, not transactional. We take the time to know our experts, understand their individual expertise and develop long-standing professional relationships with the legal professionals and organisations that instruct them. This enables us to provide a responsive, consistent and personal service throughout every instruction.

We understand the importance of certainty when managing litigation. Before instruction, we can provide information on expert availability, anticipated report turnaround times and estimated fees, helping instructing parties select an appropriate expert and manage the case effectively. 

Our involvement extends beyond the initial instruction. Throughout the process, we provide a consistent point of contact and can assist with medical records, reports, conferences, supplementary questions and preparation for giving evidence. For complex or multidisciplinary inquests, we can also help coordinate experts across multiple specialties.

Contact McCollum Consultants to discuss the circumstances of the death, the medical issues involved and the specialist expertise required. We can recommend one or more appropriately qualified experts and provide details of availability, anticipated report turnaround times and estimated fees.