Evidence that matters in employer duty of care cases

Nicola Coote CFIOSH MEWI, a leading expert witness with 20 years’ experience and 38 years in occupational health and safety practice, explains the evidence lawyers should seek when advising clients on the defence of civil or criminal allegations concerning an employer’s duty of care to employees in the health and social care sector.

The central question: what can the employer prove?

When advising clients who are defending civil or criminal proceedings arising from injury to employees, the central question is rarely whether an incident occurred. It is whether the employer can demonstrate, through contemporaneous and relevant evidence, that it took reasonably practicable steps to prevent or minimise foreseeable harm. In health and social care, that question can be obscured by the volume of care-related documentation produced after an incident, much of which says little about worker safety.

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Evidence that matters in employer duty of care cases

Nicola Coote CFIOSH MEWI, a leading expert witness with 20 years’ experience and 38 years in occupational health and safety practice, explains the evidence lawyers should seek when advising clients on the defence of civil or criminal allegations concerning an employer’s duty of care to employees in the health and social care sector.

The central question: what can the employer prove?

When advising clients who are defending civil or criminal proceedings arising from injury to employees, the central question is rarely whether an incident occurred. It is whether the employer can demonstrate, through contemporaneous and relevant evidence, that it took reasonably practicable steps to prevent or minimise foreseeable harm. In health and social care, that question can be obscured by the volume of care-related documentation produced after an incident, much of which says little about worker safety.

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New fraud law will help build an ‘anti-fraud culture‘

A new corporate criminal offence of ‘failure to prevent fraud’ came into effect on 1 September – designed to drive an anti-fraud culture and improve business confidence. 

Introduced as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCT) 2023, the offence will hold large organisations to account if they profit from fraud. It forms part of wider measures introduced by the government to tackle fraud and protect the UK economy, as part of the Plan for Change. 

The offence of ‘failure to prevent fraud’ follows major steps forward on fraud prevention including: 

• Pushing forward with a ban on SIM farms – technical devices which facilitate fraud on an industrial scale
• A bilateral agreement with the insurance sector
• Adopting the first ever UN resolution on fraud

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New fraud law will help build an ‘anti-fraud culture‘

A new corporate criminal offence of ‘failure to prevent fraud’ came into effect on 1 September – designed to drive an anti-fraud culture and improve business confidence. 

Introduced as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCT) 2023, the offence will hold large organisations to account if they profit from fraud. It forms part of wider measures introduced by the government to tackle fraud and protect the UK economy, as part of the Plan for Change. 

The offence of ‘failure to prevent fraud’ follows major steps forward on fraud prevention including: 

• Pushing forward with a ban on SIM farms – technical devices which facilitate fraud on an industrial scale
• A bilateral agreement with the insurance sector
• Adopting the first ever UN resolution on fraud

Readmore

Trusts named for inclusion in Amos inquiry

The 14 hospital trusts to be looked at as part of a rapid, independent, national investigation into maternity and neonatal services were named on 15 September 2025 by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). 

Baroness Valerie Amos’s investigation will put families at the heart of the work, the DHSC said, and affected families were asked to provide input to the draft terms of reference of the investigation. The terms of reference have been developed to focus on understanding the experiences of affected women and families, identifying lessons learned and driving the improvements needed to ensure high-quality and safe maternity and neonatal care across England. 

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Trusts named for inclusion in Amos inquiry

The 14 hospital trusts to be looked at as part of a rapid, independent, national investigation into maternity and neonatal services were named on 15 September 2025 by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). 

Baroness Valerie Amos’s investigation will put families at the heart of the work, the DHSC said, and affected families were asked to provide input to the draft terms of reference of the investigation. The terms of reference have been developed to focus on understanding the experiences of affected women and families, identifying lessons learned and driving the improvements needed to ensure high-quality and safe maternity and neonatal care across England. 

Readmore

Lawyers sceptical about efficacy of extra court tier

Solicitors have expressed pessimism over whether an additional court tier will help reduce the rocketing criminal court backlogs. 

The Law Society of England and Wales carried out research, in collaboration with Sky News, asking solicitors for their views on potential reforms to the criminal courts. 

Proposals include introducing an intermediate court, which would be known as the Crown Court Bench Division. The research revealed that: 

• Solicitors felt a broad range of measures would be required for an additional court tier to be effective, including additional court staff who are fully trained, and increased public funding for legal defence.
• Most solicitors think the introduction of an additional court tier would make the justice system worse (56%) and is unlikely to reduce the backlogs (60%).
• Almost three-quarters (73%) of the solicitors surveyed were concerned about jury trials being removed as part of the proposals.

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Lawyers sceptical about efficacy of extra court tier

Solicitors have expressed pessimism over whether an additional court tier will help reduce the rocketing criminal court backlogs. 

The Law Society of England and Wales carried out research, in collaboration with Sky News, asking solicitors for their views on potential reforms to the criminal courts. 

Proposals include introducing an intermediate court, which would be known as the Crown Court Bench Division. The research revealed that: 

• Solicitors felt a broad range of measures would be required for an additional court tier to be effective, including additional court staff who are fully trained, and increased public funding for legal defence.
• Most solicitors think the introduction of an additional court tier would make the justice system worse (56%) and is unlikely to reduce the backlogs (60%).
• Almost three-quarters (73%) of the solicitors surveyed were concerned about jury trials being removed as part of the proposals.

Readmore

Construction is still suffering from its COVID hangover

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and lasting impact on the construction industry, disrupting timelines, inflating costs and introducing unprecedented risk management challenges. 

Architects and engineers have been at the forefront of addressing those challenges, particularly in projects involving specialist accommodation, complex infrastructure or historic buildings. In parallel, legal teams and insurers have increasingly turned to expert witnesses to provide independent assessments of delays, costs and associated risks, ensuring clarity and fairness in contract disputes or claims arising from the pandemic. 

In disputes arising from COVID-19-related delays, expert witnesses have played a vital role. Legal teams frequently instruct construction, engineering and cost management specialists to provide independent evaluations of project delays, financial losses and compliance with contractual obligations. 

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Construction is still suffering from its COVID hangover

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and lasting impact on the construction industry, disrupting timelines, inflating costs and introducing unprecedented risk management challenges. 

Architects and engineers have been at the forefront of addressing those challenges, particularly in projects involving specialist accommodation, complex infrastructure or historic buildings. In parallel, legal teams and insurers have increasingly turned to expert witnesses to provide independent assessments of delays, costs and associated risks, ensuring clarity and fairness in contract disputes or claims arising from the pandemic. 

In disputes arising from COVID-19-related delays, expert witnesses have played a vital role. Legal teams frequently instruct construction, engineering and cost management specialists to provide independent evaluations of project delays, financial losses and compliance with contractual obligations. 

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More psychologists are in court – and that’s a good thing!

Vulnerable offenders with mental health, alcohol and substance abuse problems are increasingly being diverted from short-term custodial sentences and towards treatment that aims to tackle the causes of their offending.

In the pilot areas – Birmingham, Plymouth, Sefton, Milton Keynes and Northampton – psychologists are working collaboratively with the existing panels of justice and health officials. Together, the professionals ensure that magistrates and judges have the information they need to determine whether an offender should be required to receive treatment for their mental health, alcohol or drug issues.

They help to ensure that Community Sentence Treatment Requirements (CTSRs) are issued to the right people. CSTRs are a joint initiative by the Ministry of Justice, Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England to improve access to treatment programmes for offenders serving community sentences.

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More psychologists are in court – and that’s a good thing!

Vulnerable offenders with mental health, alcohol and substance abuse problems are increasingly being diverted from short-term custodial sentences and towards treatment that aims to tackle the causes of their offending.

In the pilot areas – Birmingham, Plymouth, Sefton, Milton Keynes and Northampton – psychologists are working collaboratively with the existing panels of justice and health officials. Together, the professionals ensure that magistrates and judges have the information they need to determine whether an offender should be required to receive treatment for their mental health, alcohol or drug issues.

They help to ensure that Community Sentence Treatment Requirements (CTSRs) are issued to the right people. CSTRs are a joint initiative by the Ministry of Justice, Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England to improve access to treatment programmes for offenders serving community sentences.

Readmore

Government to plug mobile phone loophole

The government has confirmed it will close a legal loophole which has allowed drivers to escape prosecution for hand-held mobile phone use while behind the wheel.

At present, the law prevents drivers from using a hand-held mobile phone to call or text.

However, people caught filming or taking photos while driving have escaped punishment as lawyers have successfully argued that the activity does not fit into the ‘interactive communication’ currently outlawed by the legislation.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced that he will urgently take forward a review to tighten up the existing law. The revised legislation will mean any driver caught texting, taking photos, browsing the internet or scrolling through a playlist while behind the wheel will be prosecuted for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Mr Shapps said: “We recognise that staying in touch with the world while travelling is an essential part of modern day life, but we are also committed to making our roads s…

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Government to plug mobile phone loophole

The government has confirmed it will close a legal loophole which has allowed drivers to escape prosecution for hand-held mobile phone use while behind the wheel.

At present, the law prevents drivers from using a hand-held mobile phone to call or text.

However, people caught filming or taking photos while driving have escaped punishment as lawyers have successfully argued that the activity does not fit into the ‘interactive communication’ currently outlawed by the legislation.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced that he will urgently take forward a review to tighten up the existing law. The revised legislation will mean any driver caught texting, taking photos, browsing the internet or scrolling through a playlist while behind the wheel will be prosecuted for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Mr Shapps said: “We recognise that staying in touch with the world while travelling is an essential part of modern day life, but we are also committed to making our roads s…

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The fundamental right to be protected from the dangers of air pollution

The British Safety Council welcomed the news of the High Court quashing the verdict of the 2014 inquest into the death of nine-year old Ella Kissi-Debrah, who suffered a fatal asthma attack. Her mother Rosamund has since campaigned for a fresh inquest, believing Ella’s death was caused by high levels of air pollution near her home in southeast London. It means that Ella could become the first person in the UK to have air pollution mentioned as a contributory factor on her death certificate.

Lawrence Waterman, Chairman of the British Safety Council, commented: “The ruling of the High Court is proof that since 2014 we have become much better informed about the dangers of air pollution. Air pollution, linked to as many as 36,000 early deaths a year, is now recognised as the biggest environmental risk to public health. Research from King’s College London suggests that more than 9,400 people die prematurely due to poor air quality in London alone.

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The fundamental right to be protected from the dangers of air pollution

The British Safety Council welcomed the news of the High Court quashing the verdict of the 2014 inquest into the death of nine-year old Ella Kissi-Debrah, who suffered a fatal asthma attack. Her mother Rosamund has since campaigned for a fresh inquest, believing Ella’s death was caused by high levels of air pollution near her home in southeast London. It means that Ella could become the first person in the UK to have air pollution mentioned as a contributory factor on her death certificate.

Lawrence Waterman, Chairman of the British Safety Council, commented: “The ruling of the High Court is proof that since 2014 we have become much better informed about the dangers of air pollution. Air pollution, linked to as many as 36,000 early deaths a year, is now recognised as the biggest environmental risk to public health. Research from King’s College London suggests that more than 9,400 people die prematurely due to poor air quality in London alone.

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Dr WHO? by Dr Debbie Marsden

Dr Debbie Marsden, a leading equestrian expert with over 20 years professional experience of expert witness work, offers some advice on selecting the right expert in cases involving animals

In animal related cases, a veterinary surgeon is often the best expert, being generally regarded as an authority on animals and easily recognized by the word 'veterinary' – a protected title – and the letters MRCVS (Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) after various degrees.

As with all professions, when seeking an expert it is best to use a specialist; and vets are not allowed to describe themselves as a 'specialist' until they have taken considerable further study and been further examined in a particular area. The letter D or Dip, for Diploma, is the additional qualification to look for in a vet with particular expertise in any area, for instance DSAS – Diploma in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics).

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Dr WHO? by Dr Debbie Marsden

Dr Debbie Marsden, a leading equestrian expert with over 20 years professional experience of expert witness work, offers some advice on selecting the right expert in cases involving animals

In animal related cases, a veterinary surgeon is often the best expert, being generally regarded as an authority on animals and easily recognized by the word 'veterinary' – a protected title – and the letters MRCVS (Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) after various degrees.

As with all professions, when seeking an expert it is best to use a specialist; and vets are not allowed to describe themselves as a 'specialist' until they have taken considerable further study and been further examined in a particular area. The letter D or Dip, for Diploma, is the additional qualification to look for in a vet with particular expertise in any area, for instance DSAS – Diploma in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics).

Readmore

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Home Office GDPR exemption risks new Windrush, says Law Society

The Law Society of England and Wales has criticised the decision to exempt the Home Office from data access rules in the new Data Protection Act, which implements the widely-publicised GDPR. The move will inevitably lead to miscarriages of justice, the society has warned.

Law Society president Joe Egan said the immigration exemption in the legislation stripped accountability from Home Office decision making.

“Since legal aid was removed for most immigration cases in 2012, it has become increasingly difficult to challenge immigration decisions – decisions which evidence shows are often incorrect,” he said. “Subject access requests are the final recourse for people trying to deal with a complex, opaque and unaccountable immigration system.

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Home Office GDPR exemption risks new Windrush, says Law Society

The Law Society of England and Wales has criticised the decision to exempt the Home Office from data access rules in the new Data Protection Act, which implements the widely-publicised GDPR. The move will inevitably lead to miscarriages of justice, the society has warned.

Law Society president Joe Egan said the immigration exemption in the legislation stripped accountability from Home Office decision making.

“Since legal aid was removed for most immigration cases in 2012, it has become increasingly difficult to challenge immigration decisions – decisions which evidence shows are often incorrect,” he said. “Subject access requests are the final recourse for people trying to deal with a complex, opaque and unaccountable immigration system.

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Expert witness conference is hailed a success

On 8 November Bond Solon held the 25th Bond Solon Expert Witness Conference at Church House in Westminster. Demand for the conference had been particularly high, leading to a fully-booked event. Nearly 500 expert witnesses were in attendance and there were over 50 expert witnesses on the waiting list.

That upsurge in demand for places was in part due to the expert witness guidance issued in May by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. The guidance stated that healthcare expert witnesses must undertake formal expert witness training and keep that training up to date with appropriate refresher courses and activities.

Demand was also driven by a number of high-profile cases involving expert witnesses who have had their expert witness evidence deemed inadmissible or criticised. Those cases were reviewed at the conference.

The keynote speech at the conference was delivered by Sir Peter Gross. Sir Peter’s paper addressed the issue of standards in the work of expert witnesses. Sir Peter was…

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Expert witness conference is hailed a success

On 8 November Bond Solon held the 25th Bond Solon Expert Witness Conference at Church House in Westminster. Demand for the conference had been particularly high, leading to a fully-booked event. Nearly 500 expert witnesses were in attendance and there were over 50 expert witnesses on the waiting list.

That upsurge in demand for places was in part due to the expert witness guidance issued in May by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. The guidance stated that healthcare expert witnesses must undertake formal expert witness training and keep that training up to date with appropriate refresher courses and activities.

Demand was also driven by a number of high-profile cases involving expert witnesses who have had their expert witness evidence deemed inadmissible or criticised. Those cases were reviewed at the conference.

The keynote speech at the conference was delivered by Sir Peter Gross. Sir Peter’s paper addressed the issue of standards in the work of expert witnesses. Sir Peter was…

Readmore