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Solicitor-General

Answer

Tim Loughton: To ask the Solicitor-General what requirements were placed on Sir Roy Meadow in his capacity as an expert witness for the prosecution in criminal and civil cases to retain his notes for those cases after guilty verdicts have been secured. [151027] The Solicitor-General: There are no specific requirements for the retention of personal notes following either a criminal or civil trial. Experts may be required to annex their original reports to a statement in order to explain their findings. There is also a statutory duty on expert witnesses to ensure that any information, which may undermine the prosecution's case, is disclosed. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health does not issue guidance to practitioners on retention of data. However, there is a professional duty upon all expert witnesses to consider carefully the possible use to which notes and records may be required in the future, for example possible appeals. The Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners is implementing a system of registration of forensics practitioners. Each expert will be bound by a code of practice which will require practitioners to retain their work in order that it can be reviewed if necessary at a later date by another member of the Council. The Intercollegiate Working Group chaired by Baroness Kennedy is examining issues surrounding the provision of training for expert witnesses and their use in the investigation process. The Group will report its findings in the Spring.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

417 c518-9W;417 c516W; 151027

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Children Homicide Prosecutions Witnesses Meadow, Roy

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk