Expert medical evidence is often essential and pivotal in support or defence of medical negligence. Such cases invariably involve questions of technical and factual complexity requiring the evaluation of conflicting expert medical testimony. In this book, the first standalone textbook on expert evidence in South Africa, the authors expound and extrapolate the whole process from the initial obtaining of the relevant health records to the eventual testimony of the medical expert witness in court. The authors offer an instructive guide to busy practitioners to assist them with - Identifying the correct expert speciality or sub-speciality, The construction of a medico-legal opinion, The status of joint minutes of such experts, The preparation of an expert's examination-in-chief, Cross- and re-examination of an expert. Expert evidence in clinical negligence also discusses the invaluable role of experts in the resolution of medical malpractice disputes by way of mediation. Relevant case law and the applicable uniform rules of court are comprehensively discussed and set out in the footnotes for ease of reference.

Objections In Civil Litigation deals in concise terms with the categories of objection and the leading and most useful authorities for each objection. A synopsis of the nature and content of each objection is included.

The book equips the busy practitioner confronted with an unruly witness with the tools to formulate a cogent and legally sound argument, at short notice, as to why a particular piece of testimony should be excluded.

The opponent will similarly be assisted in dealing with the objection in a helpful and lucid manner.

Res Ipsa Loquitur and Medical Negligence: A Comparative Survey analyses the application of the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur ('it speaks for itself') to medical negligence cases. The book aims to establish conclusively that the approach of the South African courts, that the doctrine should never find application in medical negligence cases, is untenable and out of touch with modern approaches adopted in other countries. Constitutional principles such as procedural equality, access to courts, access to health care, access to information, post-constitutional legislation, medical ethics and policy considerations are also discussed.

The book further provides a theoretical and practical legal framework for the application of the doctrine to medical negligence cases in South Africa in future. The authors argue for the application of the doctrine, not only in medical negligence cases, but also to related legal procedures that follow a medical accident such as medical inquests, criminal prosecutions and disciplinary inquiries instituted by the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Res Ipsa Loquitur and Medical Negligence includes a comprehensive comparison of the practical application of the doctrine to medical negligence cases in South Africa, England and the United States of America.