The Expert Witness Training Day 2024
Built off the success of last years' event, we have enhanced the training program to facilitate the learning of both new and experienced medico-legal experts, and created specialised learning streams. We are pleased to coordinate a mock trial, providing realistic courtroom experience and learnings in expert witness testimony.
Course overview
Expert Witness – Medico Legal Best Practice
Purpose: The Expert Witness Training Day will enhance participants’ report writing skills and expert witness testimony by offering direct insights from prominent medico-legal experts, lawyers, barristers, and judges. Elevate your medico-legal best practices with firsthand learning from industry leaders.
Learning outcomes
Theory Modules
- Gain the ability to craft comprehensive and legally sound medico-legal reports that adhere to essential requirements, formatting, and quality standards.
- Understand the intricate legal considerations surrounding expert witnesses, including letters of instruction and concepts like liability, causation, and quantum assessments.
- Acquire effective examination techniques and the skills to conduct assessments with precision and professionalism.
- Learn about the ethical and legal importance of consent, chaperones, and proper documentation in medico-legal examinations.
- Recognise the crucial elements involved in selecting an expert witness, ensuring the right fit for legal proceedings.
- Develop expertise in giving evidence in a courtroom setting, including courtroom rules, etiquette, and maintaining credibility as an expert witness.
- Engage in networking opportunities to connect with peers and industry leaders, fostering collaboration and learning from others’ experiences.
- Actively participate in interactive question-and-answer sessions throughout the training, addressing specific queries and concerns.
Mock Trial, Courtroom Simulation + Practical Application
- Apply theoretical knowledge in a realistic courtroom setting
- Role-play various courtroom scenarios, including expert witness, barrister, and judge
- Receive constructive feedback and improve performance.
- Engage in real-time Learning, feedback and group discussions to consolidate learning
- Reflect on the mock trial experience to identify key takeaways and areas for improvement
These comprehensive learning outcomes empower participants to navigate the complex intersection of medicine and law, ultimately enhancing their proficiency as expert witnesses.
Program outline
Please note: The full training program will be released shortly
Who should attend?
This training is designed for medical experts, allied and healthcare professionals who want to enhance and excel their careers as medico-legal expert witnesses consultants.
When is it?
The Expert Witness Training will be carried out on Saturday 26th of October 2024.
Teaching faculty
Bree Knoester – Founder, Brave Legal
Bree Knoester is recognised as one of Australia’s leading personal injury lawyers. She has practiced as both a barrister and solicitor for over 20 years and represented clients in some of Victoria’s largest compensation settlements.
Bree is an empathetic yet tenacious lawyer, possessing a deep understanding of the law and a fearless approach to representing the interests of clients.
Understanding that suffering an injury or illness caused by someone else’s negligence can be an extremely difficult and traumatic experience, Bree is driven to achieve exceptional outcomes in a caring and compassionate way with precision and tenacity. Bree practices in the area of dust diseases, WorkCover, public liability, medical negligence and institutional abuse.
In recognition of her experience and exceptional client results, Bree has won numerous industry awards including ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in Personal Injury Litigation and Medical Negligence (Best Lawyers® in Australia 2022-2024), Preeminent practitioner – Asbestos & Dust Diseases Compensation (Doyle’s Guide 2016-2022), Preeminent practitioner – Work Injury Compensation (2016-2022). Her firm, Brave Legal, has won the award for Excellence in Employee Health and Wellbeing at the Australasian Law Awards for the past two years’ running.
Thomas Kossmann – Orthopaedic Surgeon, Lex Medicus
Mr Thomas Kossmann is an Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 30 years experience. He obtained his medical doctor (MD) degree at the University of Heidelberg and holds fellowships in general surgery, trauma surgery and orthopaedic surgery with training conducted in university hospitals in Germany and Switzerland.
Mr Kossmann has many professional associations and has made a profound contribution to academia. He has taught many medical students and health professionals and published 121 peer-reviewed articles and numerous book/chapters in the field of orthopaedic trauma and neurotrauma.
He previously founded the Department of Trauma Surgery at The Alfred hospital, expanding it to become one of the world-leading centres for trauma victims. Mr Kossmann founded Lex Medicus, a world-class team of health professionals who deliver high-quality medico-legal reports and impairment assessments across Australia and Europe.
Samuel Pearce – Principal Lawyer, Maurice Blackburn
Samuel Pearce is a medical negligence Principal Lawyer in Maurice Blackburn’s Melbourne office. He has worked with Maurice Blackburn since 2008 and has practised exclusively in medical negligence since undertaking his traineeship with the firm in 2011 and was admitted to practice law in 2012.
Samuel’s strengths as a lawyer are his highly advanced research and strong attention to detail, which further enhances his ability to execute clear and precise written and verbal communication.
These are well presented through his passion for representing individuals who have suffered injuries or have lost a loved one as a result of poor or unreasonable medical care, treatment, and advice. Driven by the advocacy of the rights of individuals, Samuel has also been involved in a number of pro bono cases through the social justice department established at Maurice Blackburn, including the Muckaty Station litigation.
Timothy Patrick Tobin S.C – Barrister, Lennons List
Admitted to practice in 1975 and called to the Bar in 1983.
A member of the inner Bar since 2002.
Foundation member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, Bar representative on the Bar/LIV/AMA Committee, member of the Common Law Bar Association, member of ATLA and APIL.
Special interest in bushfire litigation since coordinating farmer’s representation before Sir Esler Barber in board of enquiry into the occurrence of bush and grassfires in Victoria in 1977. Subsequently involved in the Black Saturday Royal Commission and (class actions) in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
Long term involvement in personal injury work including lead counsel in Class Actions regarding Falls Festival crush; medical negligence claims regarding cosmetic surgery and IVF and individual and class action proceedings against the AFL and football clubs for CTE/head injuries.
Location/delivery mode
In Person:
Monash University Clayton – Law Building, Building 12, 15 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton VIC 3800
and
Online:
Via Zoom
Cost
$499 + GST
CPD Information
Expert Witness – Medico Legal Best Practice
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Points will be allocated respectively for learning completed.
Further information will be provided shortly.
Ready to join the training?
Once you have submitted the registration form you will be sent an invoice with payment methods. No places will be held without payment so if paying via bank transfer please send evidence of payment to marketing@lexmedicus.com.au
Submit your registration
Please fill out the below form, and an invoice will be sent to the email address provided.