Expert Witness Journal Issue 67 June/July 2026 - Flipbook - Page 116
While the introduction of compulsory mediation
cannot be described as an unquali昀椀ed success, it has
certainly delivered some clear bene昀椀ts. Any attempt
to determine what might otherwise have happened
to cases referred to mediation would be speculative;
however, it is reasonable to assume that some would
have proceeded to trial and that mediation has
helped bring about a quicker resolution.
In conclusion, while compulsory mediation remains
in its infancy, there have been positive experiences
and we will be following any developments closely,
ensuring that our clients remain briefed of any
forthcoming changes.
The current small claims track compulsory
mediation process is a pilot scheme due to run
until the 6 April 2026. However, in our opinion,
compulsory small claims mediation is here to stay.
We do not anticipate any restriction of its current
parameters; rather, future developments are more
likely to involve expansion into other areas of small
claims and potentially into higher-value claims.
Claims involving personal injury, where an
assessment of damages is required, are nevertheless
likely to remain unsuitable for this form of mediation.
If the court system were to require personal injury
claims to proceed via compulsory mediation, a
process more closely aligned with the standard
mediation model would be necessary, together with
a signi昀椀cant increase in available judicial and court
resources.
Mr Jaykar Panchmatia
Mr Radu Mihai
MA (Cambridge) MPH (Harvard) MB BChir (Cambridge) FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics)
ORTHOPAEDIC SPINE SURGEON
Consultant Endocrine Surgeon
High confidence, high quality, high speed reports
MD PhD FRCS
Cambridge University | Harvard University | Fulbright Scholar |
Johns Hopkins Fellow | Robert Jones Gold Medal Winner
Mr Radu Mihai is an expert consultant
endocrine surgeon specialising in thyroid,
Mr Panchmatia is a Consultant Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon at Guy’s and St. Thomas’
parathyroid and adrenal surgery practising in Oxford.
Hospitals NHS Trust. His Spine Fellowship was at Johns Hopkins Hospital, USA.
He is President of the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons.
Mr Panchmatia graduated from Cambridge and Harvard Universities. He has presented
internationally, and is published widely in orthopaedic and neurosurgical journals.
Although adult operations represent the vast majority of his work, he regularly
Experienced Expert Witness
sees children who need thyroid or parathyroid operations and has an additional
• Short waiting times; urgent instructions can be accommodated.
interest in familial endocrine diseases (MEN-1 and MEN-2 syndromes).
• High quality reports, delivered promptly.
• Specialises in serious/ complex high value injuries.
To date, he has performed over 1500 thyroid operations, 500 laparoscopic and
• Cardiff University Bond Solon Expert Witness certification.
retroperitoneoscopic adrenal operations and 750 parathyroid operations.
• Awarded Best Spinal Surgery Expert Witness.
Mr Mihai is the Lead for the Thames Valley Thyroid Cancer MDT.
Instructions Welcome
Mr Radu Mihai areas of expertise include:
• Personal injury and clinical negligence claims.
• Accept instructions on behalf of: Claimant, Defendant and Joint.
v Adrenal surgery and adrenal cancer
• Civil and criminal instructions.
v
• Medical reports; desktop reports; screening reports; case conferences.
Parathyroid gland surgery
v Thyroid surgeryMedicolegal work
• Registered with APIL, AvMA, National Crime Agency (NCA), and the UK Register of
Expert Witnesses.
v
General surgery (gallstones, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hernia surgery)
Clinical Expertise in all Spinal Conditions
• Spinal fractures
• Cauda equina syndrome
His research work led to 124 peer-reviewed papers and to his nomination as
• Spinal cord injury including paralysis
• Failed back surgery
• Foot drop
• Whiplash
Hunterian Professor of Surgery by the Royal College of Surgeons. Recently he
• Spinal tumour
• Spinal infections
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Coccygeal trauma
• Complex spine cases
was co-author of the European guidelines for the treatment of adrenocortical
cancer (papers listed on www.radumihai.info).
Contact: Tel: 01865 223555 - Mobile: 07966937851
Area of Work
• Nationwide clinics.
• International clinics.
• Home and prison visits.
• Remote and in-person appointments.
☎ 020 3861 5495
️
Email: radumihai@doctors.org.uk - Website: www.radumihai.info
Address: Nuffield Health Oxford, The Manor Hospital, Beech Rd, Oxford, OX3 7RP
Alternate Address: Churchill Cancer Centre, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LE
www.smartspine.co.uk
Medicolegal@smartspine.co.uk or jaykar@smartspine.co.uk
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
114
JUNE 2026
