FFW wins landmark General Medical Council appeal
27 October 2006
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP (FFW) has successfully acted for the
General Medical Council (GMC) in a landmark Court of Appeal case
which reinstates the ability of regulators to review the fitness to
practise of expert witnesses.
The high profile case involved Professor Sir Roy Meadow.
Professor Meadow gave expert evidence in the 1999 trial of
solicitor Sally Clark. Her conviction was later overturned in
2003.
Professor Meadow appealed against the decision by the GMC’s
Fitness to Practice Panel in relation to his evidence in the Clark
case. He appealed to the High Court and the judge decided
that the legal principle of immunity should be extended to
disciplinary proceedings by regulatory bodies in respect of
evidence given by a professional in legal proceedings.
The decision was appealed by the GMC and on 26th October, The
Master of Rolls, Sir Anthony Clarke and Lord Justices Auld and
Thorpe handed down judgment, overturning the High Court’s decision
on the immunity point.
FFW regulatory
partners Tom
Rider and Judith
Chrystie acted for the GMC on the case. In July this year, FFW
was retained by the GMC as its sole external legal adviser, once
again highlighting the firm’s expertise in both regulatory work and
healthcare.
FFW partner, Tom
Rider, said: “This is an important decision for the GMC and
other regulators. It clarifies key points of principle regarding
their statutory responsibilities to discipline expert witnesses if
the need arises in order to protect the public.”
Hempsons acted for Professor Meadow.
For further press information please contact:
Ben Girdlestone, Communications Manager on 020 7861 4968
Louise Eckersley, PR Executive on 020 7861 4120