BMJ  2006;333:933 (4 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7575.933-a

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Regulatory bodies can discipline expert witnesses

legal correspondent, BMJ

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Doctors and other expert witnesses in court cases have no immunity from disciplinary action by their regulatory body, the Court of Appeal ruled last week in London.

Professor Roy Meadow said he was glad that the appeal court considered he was not guilty of serious professional misconduct Credit: JOHNNY GREEN/PA/EMPICS

 

Three judges, headed by the master of the rolls, Sir Anthony Clarke, overturned a High Court ruling last February that extended expert witnesses' immunity from civil action to cover disciplinary action by regulatory bodies—unless a judge made a complaint (BMJ 2006;332: 439[Free Full Text]).

The case began in July 2005 when the GMC returned a finding of serious professional misconduct against retired paediatrician Roy Meadow and ordered him to be struck off the medical register (BMJ 2005; 331: 177[Free Full Text]). A GMC fitness to practise panel held that Professor Meadow had "abused his position . . . [Full text of this article]

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