Single Joint Expert Reports
One neutral cardiology report for both parties, prepared on joint instruction under CPR Part 35.7, with the consultant’s overriding duty to the court.
- CPR Part 35.7 appointment
- Neutral to both parties
- Fixed fee available
Appointment under
CPR Part 35.7
Our cardiologists accept joint instruction as single joint experts under CPR Part 35.7, preparing one neutral report for both parties in a civil claim.
A single joint expert reduces cost and avoids conflicting expert evidence. The opinion is independent, with the consultant’s overriding duty to the court under CPR 35.3 and CPR Part 35.
- Clinical negligence claims where both parties agree to a single joint expert to resolve the cardiology issues in dispute.
- Fast-track and lower-value multi-track claims where the court directs a single joint expert under CPR 35.7 to keep the cardiology evidence proportionate.
- Personal injury claims with a discrete cardiac question where a single neutral opinion is more proportionate than two opposing experts.
- Inquests and regulatory proceedings — the panel also accepts appointment as an independent expert to the coroner, or as a neutral expert in regulatory matters. These are a separate basis of appointment, not a CPR 35.7 instruction, but are taken on the same impartial footing.
What the report covers.
The report addresses the cardiology issues in dispute under the joint instruction, grounded in the disclosed records, imaging, and contemporaneous cardiology guidance.
Cardiology issues addressed
- Whether the cardiology care fell below accepted standards under the Bolam and Bolitho standard.
- Whether the alleged injury is causally linked to the cardiology care, on the balance of probabilities.
- Adherence to contemporaneous NICE and ESC guidance in the management of the condition. Subspecialty-specific expertise is matched to the case.
- Whether the disclosed records are sufficient to form a reliable opinion, or what further disclosure is required.
- The methodology, assumptions and limitations of the opinion, with both parties’ questions answered even-handedly.
Not addressed in the report
- Non-cardiology issues, unless explicitly agreed in the joint instruction.
- Examination of either party — the report is based on the disclosed records and imaging.
- Condition and prognosis, unless the joint instruction explicitly requests it. Condition and prognosis reports are instructed separately.
- Quantum or legal strategy — the report is confined to the cardiology issues in dispute.
Where we are regularly instructed
-
Clinical negligence · ACS
Missed STEMI in A&E
A patient presented with chest pain and ECG changes indicating ST-elevation myocardial infarction; PCI was delayed after the ECG was misread. On joint instruction, the report addresses whether the initial assessment fell below accepted standards, and whether earlier intervention would have altered the outcome.
Often paired with: Breach of Duty Causation
-
Inquest · Coroner-appointed
Sudden cardiac death in AF
A person with known atrial fibrillation and a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 4 was not anticoagulated and died of a stroke. Appointed as the independent expert to the coroner, the report addresses whether anticoagulation was indicated, and whether timely anticoagulation would have prevented the stroke.
Often paired with: Inquest & Fatal Cardiac AF claims
-
Regulatory · Neutral expert
Post-CABG complication
A patient developed sternal wound infection and dehiscence after elective CABG. Appointed as a neutral expert in the regulatory proceedings, the report addresses whether peri-operative prophylaxis and surgical technique adhered to accepted practice, and whether the complication reflects a departure from it.
Often paired with: Breach of Duty Cardiac surgery claims
-
Clinical negligence · Valve
Delayed valve replacement
A patient with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis was not referred for valve replacement and died suddenly. On joint instruction, the report addresses whether the delay in referral fell below accepted standards, and whether earlier intervention would have altered the outcome.
Often paired with: Breach of Duty Valve disease claims
Report format and turnaround.
Most single joint expert reports run to ten to sixteen pages. Standard instructions are returned within four to six weeks. Where a hearing date or limitation deadline requires it, an expedited timetable of two to four weeks is available subject to capacity.
Fixed fee where the records bundle is contained, with the fee apportioned between the parties as the joint instruction directs. Larger bundles are quoted on an indicative basis with a cap. LAA rates and deferred payment terms available — full fee schedule.
Need a single joint expert report?
Submit case details today via email or our contact form and receive a same-working-day quotation. For urgent appointments, call using the phone number below.
Same-working-day quotation Fixed fee where the bundle allows LAA rates available