The College of Radiographers is seeking members to act as expert witnesses in court cases.
Requests are received regularly from solicitors seeking members who are willing, appropriately trained and able to act as expert witnesses in medico-legal cases, including civil claims of negligence brought by or on behalf of a client.
The College of Radiographers (CoR) also receives requests for experts to review documentation for fitness to practise proceedings and other matters relating to radiography or ultrasound practice, such as assisting the coroner during an inquest.
It is important for patients, the NHS and the profession that suitably qualified practitioners are available to provide objective, evidence-based opinions within their scope of practice.
Acting as an expert witness is a challenging yet rewarding role that enables radiographers to develop a range of transferable skills that can be recorded in the CPD portfolio. It can also provide valuable evidence of clinical expertise and professional contribution when demonstrating capability at advanced or consultant practitioner level.
Being an expert witness
Expert witnesses work independently of the CoR and must ensure they have the appropriate skills, experience, and knowledge to comment on a specific case and meet the requirements of the Guidelines of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
They should also have separate professional indemnity insurance (PII) to cover them for their work as an expert witness (please note that SoR secondary PII does not cover this work).
An expert witness should have:
- Extensive current clinical experience: A solicitor will look at the CVs and determine who is likely to be a credible ‘expert’ in the field.
- Specific expertise in an area of practice: An expert will be asked to comment on examinations performed by others, so must have a high level of expertise in that area.
- Current knowledge and skills in the area: Solicitors want to know that the expert has a good understanding and experience of relevant practice at the time of the case (can be historic in obstetric and paediatric cases). They also need an ability to assess what is within and outside their scope of practice.
- Ability to review documentation thoroughly and impartially: Experts will need to review documentation, evidence from national guidelines, protocols and literature to produce an impartial report, showing clear unbiased rationale for their statements. A minimum of a postgraduate diploma in the area of practice is usually expected, although higher degrees may be preferred by the instructing legal team.
- Ability to write and verbalise complex information in a clear and concise manner: An expert will be expected to speak to solicitors and possibly barristers, write a comprehensive report and may be required to defend their report in court or other formal situations under cross-examination.
Do you meet these requirements?
The CoR maintains a list of expert witnesses and circulates new case requests from solicitors or agencies acting on their behalf. There is no requirement to take on a case. Members are free to ignore any request, particularly those that fall outside their scope of practice or availability.
To support members interested in the role, the CoR will be holding an invitation-only training event on 13 October 2026. This event is open to members who have been provisionally accepted onto the Expert Witness List following submission of an application, as well as existing experts.
The training is delivered by expert witness training provider Bond Solon, with contributions from experienced members of the CoR Expert Witness List. As this is interactive, places are limited.
Learn more about the role
CoR has published a comprehensive introductory guidance document that has information about the expert witness role: College of Radiographers (2023) The role of the expert witness: A guide for clinical imaging and therapeutic practitioners.
Learn more about the role and submit an application to join the list on the CoR’s website ‘Expert Witnesses and the CoR List’.
It is an expectation that anyone accepted onto the list has attended, as a minimum, the introductory study day and completed the eLearning for Healthcare module [Clinical Imaging - 13 Forensic Radiography - 13_08 Image Interpretation - Forensic Radiography: The Imaging Practitioner as an Expert Witness] ‘The imaging practitioner as an expert witness.’
Further resources:
General Medical Council (2024): Providing witness statements or expert evidence as part of legal proceedings.
Medical Defence Union (2013): Acting as a medical expert witness.
For additional information about the expert witness list or the role, please contact [email protected].
(Image: Photo by NORRIE3699 via Getty Images)