3.3.3 Disciplinary proceedings

Many experts, particularly medical experts such as doctors and consultants, are members of a professional body that regulates their conduct. For example, most medical doctors in the UK are regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC). These bodies often bring proceedings where there is a complaint that the professional’s capability or conduct has fallen below the standards expected by that profession. In Meadow v General Medical Council^[21] (concerning Roy Meadow – an expert in the ‘Sally Clark’ case, which involved a notorious miscarriage of justice based on expert evidence that you will examine at the end of this course), the Court of Appeal held that the expert was not immune in professional disciplinary proceedings.

• 1 Meadow v General Medical Council [2006] EWCA Civ 1390, [2007] QB 462, CA.