Expert Witnesses

It is intended that for Court work there will be a preference of accredited practitioners to be expert witnesses. In this way it is hoped that there will be regularisation of unbiased opinion given to Courts.

Dr Michael Delaney is the Chairman of the Medico-Legal Committee and as such heads the Committee of Chairpersons of each of the Expert Witness Panels being established in each Branch.

The principal aim of the Federal Committee was to coordinate the State accreditation of Expert Witnesses and Medico-Legal CPD training. Each State will set up its own Medico-Legal Committee which will appoint Fellows to each State Medico-Legal Expert Witness panel. The purpose of these panels is to provide courts, statutory authorities, Medical Boards and various legal institutions with access to a list of independently accredited Expert Witnesses. The Committee's duties also include advising the College executive on Medico-Legal issues.

Interested Fellows may join Expert Witness Panels and must be willing to abide by College guidelines and rules and demonstrate recency of practice and ongoing CPD in their area of interest.