How medicolegal advisers can help you Post date: 28/08/2015 | Time to read article: 1 mins The information within this article was correct at the time of publishing. Last updated 14/11/2018 Dr Zaid Al-Najjar, gives an insight into how his team can help. Our medicolegal advisers (MLAs) are on hand 24-hours a day, seven days a week to provide members with urgent advice on legal and ethical issues. They are experienced physicians who have also completed law qualifications so they are able to understand the real-world problems facing members and still provide expert legal counsel. I recently wrote an article for GP about the challenges of the role, and how rewarding it is to help a fellow professional through a stressful and difficult time. There are many parallels between working as an MLA and a physician, only now I provide expert advice to doctors who are sitting in the patients’ chair. An MLA is the interface between the doctor and the legal process; we handle a wide variety of files ranging from general advice through to claims, complaints, regulatory issues, inquests and criminal investigations. The role is extremely varied, with responsibilities ranging from providing telephone advice to members to representing them in court, and lecturing at conferences to meeting with regulators. We also project manage cases, which involves liaising with the doctors involved and instructing solicitors and barristers, while overseeing the overall running of the case. In many ways, being an MLA is similar to being a counsellor – doctors unsurprisingly find the investigation process extremely difficult, so we listen to their concerns, help them understand the situation and support them throughout. As case handlers we have to be highly organised; as counsellors we must be patient and empathic, whilst retaining the objectivity necessary to offer what we believe is the best advice. Links To read more see the full article on the GP Online website Explore the benefits of membership Read how we price your membership subscription Back to all GP articles Please note: Medical Protection does not maintain this article and therefore the advice given may be incorrect or out of date, and may not constitute a definitive or complete statement of the legal, regulatory and/or clinical environment. MPS accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the advice given, in particular where the legal, regulatory and/or clinical environment has changed. Articles are not intended to constitute advice in any specific situation, and if you are a member you should contact Medical Protection for tailored advice. All implied warranties and conditions are excluded, to the maximum extent permitted by law. Share this article Share Tweet