Report types
Condition and prognosis reports
This report records the claimant’s current condition and the expected course of the injury. It provides the medical evidence from which the claim’s future consequences can be assessed.
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Report scope
What the report covers and when it is obtained
A condition and prognosis report ordinarily addresses diagnosis, current symptoms and function, treatment to date, recommended treatment and the expected course where the discipline can give a view. It may also identify residual risk, including later degenerative change following fracture.
The report follows an independent medical examination and supplies evidence used in quantum reports. In clinical negligence matters, it may sit alongside breach and causation reports.
A provisional prognosis is not a defect in the report. Practice Direction 35 requires an expert to state when an opinion is provisional or cannot be reached definitively. Where the clinical position later develops, that may be addressed in an addendum.
England and Wales
Form requirements
These are the report-specific points that sit alongside the wider Part 35 requirements.
Examination
The report states who carried out any examination or test, their qualifications and whether it was undertaken under the expert’s supervision.
Knowledge and information
It distinguishes facts within the expert’s own knowledge from matters reported to them.
Provisional opinion
Where an opinion is provisional or cannot be definite, the report makes that position clear.
Written evidence
Expert evidence is given in a written report unless the court directs otherwise.
Enquiries about report scope are directed to the enquiry route.
Enquire about a condition and prognosis reportDiscipline routes
Disciplines that prepare it
Orthopaedic surgeons on the register may address fracture union, hardware and later degenerative risk. Listed psychologists may address psychological sequelae and treatment response. Pain management consultants may address the trajectory of chronic pain.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate rules for expert evidence. The report form points above apply to proceedings in England and Wales.
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