I think many people assume expert witnesses are instructed because they already hold an opinion someone wants confirmed. In reality, this is exactly what should not happen.

Once an outcome is known, particularly an adverse one, it often appears more predictable than it was at the time. This is known as hindsight bias. It is a well-recognised cognitive bias in legal analysis, and it has a direct impact on how cases in aesthetic medicine are interpreted.

Patients frequently arrive at consultations with very clear ideas about what they want, how the result should look, and how quickly it should be achieved. Those ideas are often shaped by social media, long before they speak to a qualified practitioner.

A recent The Guardian article reported that the NHS is spending up to £19,000 per patient treating complications that resulted from surgical and non-surgical procedures carried out abroad.

One of the most difficult positions an expert witness can find themselves in is this: you have completed your analysis, agreed a common approach with the opposing experts, and the results are not what your instructing party hoped for.

The recent death of Karen McGonigal, a 53-year-old mother from Greater Manchester, has brought another deeply troubling case into the spotlight. Karen died just days after receiving an unlicensed dose of semaglutide, administered not by a healthcare professional but by a local beautician offering injections for £20.

From time to time, I come across discussions in mainstream medical law that feel particularly relevant to the medical aesthetic practice. Recently, I listened to a legal conversation in Episode 204 of Law Pod UK centred on causation in clinical negligence and the evolving approach to informed consent.

Understand the nuances of clinical negligence in aesthetic medicine and learn why specialised expert witnesses are essential for lawyers handling cosmetic treatment claims.

What the UK’s new cosmetic regulations announcement means for patient safety, practitioners, and the future of the aesthetics industry.

What makes a good expert witness? In this blog, Nurse Julie reflects on the importance of impartiality, legal training, and collaboration between solicitors and experts in building stronger and fairer cases.

Julie’s latest article featured in the June 2025 edition of the Expert Witness Journal. An in-depth look at the growing issue of personal injury in non-surgical aesthetic medicine, exploring legal risks, clinical failings, and the urgent need for reform.

When expert witnesses rely too heavily on previous opinions, the results can be misleading and even damaging. In this post, Nurse Julie reflects on the risks of anchoring bias and why true independence matters in every case she takes on.

In my latest blog, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from years of reviewing aesthetic negligence cases, and why sticking to an agreed plan is a safeguard for everyone involved.

In aesthetic practice, responding promptly to a patient reporting side effects after an injectable treatment is essential for patient safety, trust, and legal accountability.

Viewed from a clinical standpoint, aesthetic medicine is founded on the four fundamental principles of medical ethics: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.

Here is an explanation of what constitutes a reasonable body, how it is evaluated, and its role in determining the standard of care.

For the average individual, this standard reflects what a reasonable person would consider appropriate. For professionals, however, the standard is higher, reflecting the expertise and training expected in their field.

From my experience, it is crucial for solicitors to rely on expert witnesses to provide clarity on whether a practitioner’s actions met the expected standard of care.

In aesthetic medicine, obtaining valid consent is about more than just obtaining a signature from the patient. It’s a process that ensures the patient is fully informed and understands what they’re agreeing to.

Regulations can sometimes be unclear in the world of aesthetics and cosmetic procedures, and an expert witness serves as a trusted voice in ensuring fairness when dealing with complications.