A new medico-legal organisation has been established with the aim of improving access to qualified expert witnesses for complex legal cases involving clinical negligence and serious personal injury.
Founded by two experienced barristers alongside an orthopaedic surgeon, Pathway Expert Chambers introduces a chambers-style model that differs from the traditional expert witness agency approach. The initiative seeks to strengthen the quality, availability, and training of independent medical experts involved in legal proceedings.
The organisation brings together specialists from a range of medical disciplines and provides mentoring and professional guidance for clinicians who are entering expert witness work for the first time. Experienced practitioners will oversee training to help maintain high professional standards and encourage the development of future experts.
Membership of the chambers is by invitation and based on professional experience and suitability. While each expert remains independent and responsible for their own opinions, members benefit from peer support, shared expertise, and ongoing professional development within the chambers structure.
The founders say the initiative responds to a growing shortage of experienced expert witnesses, particularly in catastrophic injury and clinical negligence litigation. Long waiting times for expert reports have become an increasing challenge, often delaying legal proceedings and increasing costs for both claimants and defendants.
The chambers also aims to reinforce the importance of experts providing evidence only within their recognised areas of expertise. According to the founders, mentoring, specialist training, and collaboration can help improve the quality and reliability of expert evidence presented before the courts.
The launch reflects wider efforts within the legal sector to improve access to experienced medical experts while supporting the efficient resolution of complex litigation involving specialist medical evidence.
