Expert Witness Journal Issue 67 June/July 2026 - Flipbook - Page 107
withstands scrutiny. This process enables the court
to determine what weight, if any, should properly be
attached to the opinion o昀昀ered.
Wellbeing Independent
Social Work (WISOR)
It must also be recognised that the signi昀椀cance of
expert evidence will vary from case to case. Its role is
to assist on matters requiring specialist knowledge,
not to supplant the court’s own judgment.
Mental Capacity and Independent
Social Work intervention and reports
BSC (Hons) Social Work, BIA, AMHP, Practice Education
We are committed to offering a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the
diverse needs of our clients, families, legal teams, Local Authorities and NHS
partners. Our dedicated team of experienced professionals are here to provide high
quality, personalised care and professional support.
Keeping sight of the ultimate objective
The use of expert evidence must always be viewed
through the lens of the child’s welfare. This has
been a key focus of my book. Unnecessary reports
can introduce delay and prolong uncertainty,
while reliance on unsound analysis can lead to
decisions that fail to re昀氀ect the child’s true needs
and circumstances. Equally, a delay in applying for
expert reports can also be a problem.
Wisor Provide:
•
•
Assessments•
• Supervision
Assessments
Case management
• Benefits Support
• Case management
We offer a range of services to support with Court of Protection
proceedings including:
•
•
•
Mental Capacity Assessments
• Capacity to gift
• Mental Capacity Assessments
Specialist Expert Reports
• Capacity to litigate.
• Specialist Expert Reports
COP 3
• Reports regarding residency and
• COP 3
care needs.
With a strong focus on compassion and excellence, we prepare reports to an
excellent high standard, which are complaint with UK legislation and which we are
commended by courts and solicitors alike. Our client-centred approach ensures that
every service is delivered with the utmost care and respect.
A measured and principled approach is therefore
essential. By ensuring that expert evidence is only
used where genuinely required, that it is provided
by appropriately quali昀椀ed individuals, and that it is
subjected to proper scrutiny, practitioners can help
ensure that it ful昀椀ls its intended purpose: to support
informed, fair, and welfare-driven decision-making.
We offer both in person and virtual assessments and use a wide range of
evidence-based interventions to ensure we deliver a bespoke and inclusive service.
Contact: Cheryl Cowley
Telephone: 01522 274484 | Mobile: 07485 403829
Email: cheryl@wisor.co.uk | Alternate Email: sarah@wisor.co.uk
Website: www.wisor.co.uk
Mani Singh Basi is a barrister at 4PB and the
author of A Practical Guide to Expert Evidence in
Proceedings Concerning Children, which examines
the procedural and practical dimensions of these
issues in detail.
Dr Max Mifsud
Consultant Paediatric
Orthopaedic Surgeon
MD MScRes FRCS(Tr&Orth) FEBOT
Dr Max Mifsud is a fully certified Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon based at
the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, a major tertiary referral centre and designated
NHSE Sarcoma Centre. He is the Clinical Lead for Paediatric Orthopaedics for Oxford. He
is listed on the specialist registers of both the UK General Medical Council (GMC) and the
EU (Malta Medical Council (MMC)).
Max has experience as a Medical Expert, with a particular focus on medicolegal matters in
paediatric orthopaedics. His specialist knowledge includes cerebral palsy and other
neuromuscular conditions, post-injury/post-traumatic bone and joint deformities, hip
dysplasia (including DDH), bone infections, and sarcoma. He currently undertakes
personal injury cases, and, in cases where breach of duty has already been established,
Max offers Condition and Prognosis reports based on his highly specialist training. He does
not currently do any Causation or Breach of Duty work. Max has been undertaking work as
a Medical Expert since 2023 and has been instructed approximately equally between
defendants and claimants.
In his clinical practice, Max has performed over 4,000 procedures on both adults and
children, with outcomes and patient feedback consistently ranked in the top 25% nationally.
In addition to his clinical practice, Max has led numerous local and regional service
improvement projects, with a focus on digital transformation, productivity, patient safety,
and equitable access to care through integrated pathways. He is also regularly invited to
national and international conferences as an invited speaker.
Contact: Evie O’Reilly
Telephone: 0161 823 6556
Email: maxmifsud@ardentsupport.uk
Alternate Email: confiance.orthopaedics@gmail.com
Website: www.confianceorthopaedics.com
The Manor Hospital, Nuffield Health, Beech Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX3 7RP
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
105
JUNE 2026
