As a doctor, you may be asked to give evidence in many different types of forums including criminal or civil courts, Fatal Accident Inquiries and employment or mental health tribunals. This factsheet gives further information about what to expect and how to prepare.

A 48-year-old driver, Mr W, was sent to hospital by his GP with a one-week history of unremitting back pain and associated mild shortness of breath. On direct questioning, he also reported non-specific malaise for at least three months with half a stone weight loss but no symptoms of fever. There was no previous history of cardiac problems and no recent dental or other invasive procedures.

Mrs C, a 25-year-old mother of two, had an elective caesarean with her first pregnancy as that baby was breech, and she experienced a failed attempt at a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) with her second pregnancy. Her third pregnancy was uneventful and she was booked in for an elective caesarean section at 39 weeks.

Twenty-eight-year-old Miss T was a pillion passenger on her boyfriend’s motorbike going at high speed on a motorway. He lost control of the vehicle and tried to regain it by braking, which threw them both over the handles, landing some distance away. Unfortunately, Miss T’s boyfriend was certified dead at the scene of the accident.

Mr S was a 45-year-old man who was well-known to his GP. He was an anxious, frequent attendee, who needed to discuss different symptoms and worried about his general health. He had suffered from psychiatric disorders in the past and was a heavy smoker who found it difficult to give up.

Miss C, a 25-year-old bank clerk, attended an appointment with the practice nurse, Nurse B, at her local surgery. Miss C was in a stable relationship and wished to discuss the options available to her for contraception. Miss C’s medical notes revealed that she had tried the combined oral contraceptive in the past, but had experienced side effects and was not good at remembering to take it daily. Recently she had been using barrier contraception alone.

Mr P was a 17-year-old student who attended the Minor Injuries Unit at his local A&E department after a fight. He walked in and sat in the waiting area with a friend. The triage nurse offered him some analgesia but he refused it.