Consent and ethics: children and young people

Published: 13/08/2019

Appearing in court

During the course of clinical practice, a doctor may be required to attend court and give evidence. A number of different courts including criminal and civil courts, coroner’s courts, and industrial tribunals may require a doctor to testify. A doctor may be required to testify as a professional witness, an expert witness or both. The prospect of appearing in court can be very daunting and is very different to normal clinical work. All doctors should be a member of a defence union and it is important to seek their advice early when engaged in any legal proceedings.

Below are a series of links to the main defence organisations and useful articles dealing with preparing and presenting evidence as well as attending court:

Defence Organisations

Medical Defence Union

Medical Protection Society

Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland

Support and help lines

Useful articles