The medical expert is engaged to clarify, in lay terms the unique aspects of medical evidence in individual cases so that clients, whether plaintiff or defendant, their legal advisors and the Courts can make better informed decisions. The expert’s overriding duty is to the Court. Experts must remain independent and neutral in their discussions. They are required to be aware of any biases or prejudices they may hold and give a fair and balanced view of the nature of the objective facts on matters which lie within their expertise. To that end they must be aware of, and clearly illustrate consideration of, alternative professional views offering a logical and reasonably held opinion on the mana

A gentleman presented with a lump in the back of his neck just under the skull. This was regarded as a simple lipoma (benign tumour of fat) and the patient was placed on the local anaesthetic operating list to be removed by a surgeon in training. The lesion was removed through a large transverse incision. There was some bleeding in the area which was successfully controlled with surgical ties and the lesion was completely excised. He was discharged to have the skin clips removed after 10 days at his general practice. Whilst he was having his clips removed, he remarked that he was having a lot of pain over the top of his head on the right hand side. An examination showed tenderness on the