Becoming a solicitor has become an aspiration of increasing popularity in recent years, with the number of solicitors on the roll increasing by more than a third in the last decade. Law is a wide-reaching subject, with many different opportunities to specialise; medical negligence is one of the more complex disciplines, but also the most hotly contested for positions. How would one pursue a career in medical negligence?
What is Medical Negligence Law?
Medical negligence law is a highly specific, yet highly varied discipline within the study of law. To the civilian, medical negligence relates to the seeking of compensation for personal injury as a result of an error made in healthcare. A doctor may have mis-prescribed a medication, or a GP may have mis-diagnosed a serious condition, thus delaying meaningful healthcare solutions. A surgeon might have slipped up in surgery, or a practitioner made a mistake during recovery from surgery.
To the legal professional, medical negligence is complicated. No two cases are the same, and successful handling of a negligence case requires a twofold approach to understanding; practitioners need to understand the operation of private and public medical organisations and healthcare systems, as well as the law relating to duty of care and personal injury.
What Qualifications Do You Need?
To practice in medical negligence, you need to become a solicitor specialising in medical law – which involves following roughly the same steps as with every other practicing position in the legal profession. Generally speaking, qualification to become a solicitor involves gaining a law degree at a higher education institution, though there are routes to practicing law that do not require a degree. These routes tend to take far longer than the higher education route, requiring a period of time working as an apprentice or studying part-time.
In terms of medical negligence, qualifications that reflect knowledge of, or interest in, medical matters – whether a Biology A-Level or optional modules regarding healthcare at university – are very helpful. This is not only as a primer for the content in cases you would be working, but also as an indicator to any law firms or practices that you are an interested and knowledgeable asset.
Additional Requirements and Work Experience
Work experience is something that budding solicitors receive as a standard part of their career growth, but is crucial as a way of gaining experience in a difficult field. Medical negligence candidates are often advised to apply for Clinical Negligence Accreditation to secure their place in the field. This only applies to established medical negligence solicitors though, since candidates are only eligible after meeting a series of requirements: three years working on medical negligence cases, at least 24 cases worked on and at least six cases taken to a case management conference.
