How to instruct a cardiology expert witness.
What happens after a UK solicitor sends a cardiology enquiry — the four steps from first contact to a CPR Part 35 report ready for service.
- Same working-day quotation
- Named case manager
- Both sides instructed
Send the enquiry.
Send the case essentials. The panel acknowledges receipt the same working day and confirms the instruction can be taken.
What to send
- Case category Clinical negligence, personal injury, inquest or single joint expert.
- Cardiac question The condition or clinical decision at the centre of the case.
- Side Claimant, defendant or single joint instruction.
- Deadlines Court directions, trial window or limitation date.
How the panel responds
- Same working day Acknowledgement of the enquiry and confirmation the instruction can be taken.
- Subspecialty cover Confirmation that an appropriate consultant is available.
- Next step Route to quotation, with secure document upload instructions.
Quotation and shortlist returned the same working day.
The panel responds with a quotation and CVs of consultants suited to the cardiac question. Fees, indicative turnaround and any scope notes sit in one email so the instructing solicitor can choose the expert.
What you receive
- Consultant CVs Sent with the quotation, not held back. The instructing solicitor chooses.
- Fee quotation Fixed fee where the bundle allows; hourly rates for non-standard scope.
- Indicative turnaround Confirmed delivery window for the agreed report type.
- Payment route Standard, LAA rates or deferred — agreed before work begins.
How the panel matches
- Subspecialty fit Interventional, electrophysiology, imaging, heart failure, valve, congenital, inherited or general acute cardiology — matched to the cardiac question.
- Court experience Where cross-examination is anticipated, court-tested consultants are prioritised.
- GMC standing All consultants are GMC-registered with specialist registration in cardiology.
- No conflict Conflict checks completed against the parties and prior involvement.
Instruction received, case manager assigned.
Once instructed, a named case manager runs the matter end-to-end — scheduling, records handling and all logistics. One point of contact through to delivery. Where examination of the claimant is material, the panel offers three appointment formats.
In-person
Face-to-face examination at a clinic local to the claimant, where physical assessment is material to the opinion.
Remote video
Secure video consultation where geographic distance, mobility or scheduling pressure makes in-person assessment impractical.
Paper-based
Records review only — the appropriate format for fatal cardiac event, inquest and historical matters where examination is not possible.
Report delivered, ready for disclosure.
Every report is internally reviewed against CPR Part 35 and Practice Direction 35 before delivery. Signed, dated and formatted for service or disclosure.
CPR Part 35 review
The report is checked against CPR Part 35 and PD 35 requirements — including the expert’s declaration, statement of truth and duty to the court.
CPR Part 35 (justice.gov.uk)Format and structure
Court-facing layout with numbered paragraphs, structured opinion sections, evidence references and a signed declaration. Tailored to the report type instructed.
All report typesStart the enquiry today.
Send the case essentials for a quotation, or call directly to speak with the case management team. The panel responds the same working day.
GMC-registered consultants Fixed fee where the bundle allows LAA rates available