Dr Louise Newbury, a paediatrician and expert witness
in child protection, shares her journey from medicine to an expert witness. She discusses the importance of being in court and the adrenaline rush
it provides. Dr Newbury explains the role of a paediatrician and the challenges of assessing and communicating with young patients. She also talks about the process of becoming an expert witness and the critical role they play in court cases. Barrister Elizabeth Bowden joins the conversation to discuss the relationship between barristers and expert witnesses and the importance of their collaboration. In this conversation, Louise discusses her role as an expert witness in court cases involving child protection. She emphasizes the importance of being polite and respectful in court and highlights the need for barristers to avoid demeaning the expert. Louise also shares insights into her workload and the challenges of managing multiple cases simultaneously. She discusses the meticulous process of reviewing medical records and preparing reports and the importance of supervision and peer review in her profession. The
conversation concludes with a discussion of potential improvements to the court system, including establishing specialist centres for child protection cases.
***Warning: this episode contains references to child sexual abuse***
Keywords
expert witness, court, paediatrician, child protection,
medicine, assessment, communication, opinion, evidence, expert witness, court cases, child protection, barristers, workload, medical records, supervision,
peer review, court system
Takeaways
Expert witnesses are a crucial tool in winning court cases as they are the only ones who can provide evidence of opinions.
Being in court as an expert witness can be an adrenaline rush and a fascinating experience.
Paediatricians play a vital role in assessing and treating children, relying on body language and other signs to understand their condition.
Becoming an expert witness requires additional qualifications and training in the specific area of expertise.Barristers'interactionsExpert witnesses and barristers work together as a team to present the best possible case in court. Being polite and respectful in court is crucial for barristers when interacting with expert witnesses are crucial.
Expert witnesses have a heavy workload and must carefully manage their time and cases.
Reviewing medical records and preparing reports requires meticulous attention to detail.
Supervision and peer review are important for maintaining the quality and independence of expert opinions.
Specialist centres for child protection cases could improve the efficiency and quality of expert reports in the court system.
Time stamps
00:00 Introduction and the Role of Expert Witnesses
02:49 The Fascination of Being in Court
08:12 Assessing and Treating Children as a Pediatrician
13:13 Becoming an Expert Witness
22:53 The Collaboration Between Expert Witnesses and Barristers
33:59 The Importance of Politeness and Respect in Court
35:25 Managing a Heavy Workload as an Expert Witness
36:17 The Meticulous Process of Reviewing Medical Records
39:39 The Role of Supervision and Peer Review in Expert Work
45:13 The Financial Aspects of Being a Court Expert
50:49 The Challenges of Scheduling and Timelines
56:19 Improving the Court System with Specialist Centers for Child Protection Cases
01:02:00 What Makes a Good Barrister and Expert
