Medicine
Genomic medicine expert witnesses
Listed genomic medicine expert witnesses address whole genome and panel testing, variant classification and the reporting of findings. The evidence commonly concerns what the analysis was capable of detecting.
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The evidence
What a genomic medicine expert witness is asked to determine
Genomic instructions turn on the test ordered, the panel applied and the classification given to a variant at the time of reporting. Reclassification after the event is a recognised feature of the field and needs to be addressed rather than assumed away.
- Whether the panel or sequencing approach used was appropriate to the clinical question.
- Whether the variant classification applied reflected the evidence available at the reporting date.
- Whether incidental or secondary findings were handled in accordance with the consent obtained.
- Whether later reclassification of a variant alters what could reasonably have been reported earlier.
- Where the laboratory report ends and clinical management becomes another discipline’s question.
Practitioners are listed across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Location can be narrowed in the register’s location listings before an instruction is made.
Claim contexts
Claims that instruct this discipline
These links describe the question genomic medicine evidence can answer. They do not prescribe the scope of an individual instruction.
Clinical negligence claims
Test selection, variant reporting and communication of genomic results.
View claim type → 02Birth injury and cerebral palsy claims
Genomic findings raised alongside perinatal evidence.
View claim type → 03Inquests
Genomic evidence where an inherited condition is relevant to a death.
View claim type →Search the register by the discipline used in the instruction.
See genomic medicine listingsReport routes
Reports prepared
The test request, panel applied and report support a records review report. A breach and causation report addresses the effect of the reporting decision.
Clinical evidence from the treating specialty is normally required in addition. Form and content requirements are held on the report pages.
Genomic medicine expert witness evidence
A genomic medicine expert witness addresses the test ordered and the classification given at the time, rather than reading the report against later knowledge.
The register publishes discipline and coverage; scope is agreed in correspondence. See guidance from NHS Genomics Education Programme alongside the case material.
Directory search
Genomic Medicine listings
Genomic Medicine Expert Witness Cases & Claims
Related expert witness specialties
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Will a Genomic Medicine expert witness respond to Part 35 questions?
Yes - CPR 35.6 entitles the parties to put written questions on a report, and answering them is part of the expert's duty to the court. A Genomic Medicine report prepared for proceedings in England and Wales carries the Part 35 statement of truth, with equivalent duties applying in the other UK jurisdictions.
Can a Genomic Medicine expert act as a single joint expert?
Where the court directs a single joint expert under CPR 35.7, the instruction is agreed between the parties and put jointly - a routine basis of instruction in this field. Whether a particular practitioner accepts SJE appointments is confirmed with the practitioner at the enquiry stage.
Will the expert attend joint discussions or give evidence at trial?
Where the court directs discussions between experts under CPR 35.12, they meet and produce a joint statement of what is agreed and what is disputed; attendance at trial - in person or by video link - is likewise a matter of court direction. These commitments are confirmed with the practitioner at instruction.
Can I choose a Genomic Medicine expert of a specific gender, or one who assesses remotely?
Yes on both counts. Every listing displays the practitioner's gender, consulting locations and assessment types - face to face, remote or both - so sensitive-instruction preferences can be applied at the shortlisting stage, before any contact is made.