Medawar -"devoted his life to medical and scientific journalism" - i.e. he is NOT medically qualified !!

http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/5104-BNX.htm


Law Report, The Independent, 23 January 1987



Mr Medawar. He had devoted his life to medical and scientific journalism


At an early stage two years ago, It appeared to the plaintiffs' solicitors, that the problem of assembling and organising the documentation and co-ordinating the expert advice and evidence would be uniquely difficult, because the subject-matter was highly technical, involving medical and scientific specialities of many different kinds and because the extent of the documentation would demand computerisation if particular documents were ever to be available as and when required. His Lordship said that it was thought the documents would number about 1.2 million.
In these circumstances the plaintiffs' solicitors considered that they needed the assistance of someone capable of (a) acting as a coordinator and interpreter in tlicir dealings with the medical experts, (b) undertaking research to identity relevant experts and to uncovcr supporting evidence in scientific publications, (c) analyse a mass of evidence given in similar proceedings in the United States and (d) computerise all this material, together with the material which would become available on discovery.
They found such a man - Mr Medawar. He had devoted his life to medical and scientific journalism and had acquired a sufficient knowledge of a wide range of medical and scientific specialities to understand experts and interpret them to the 1ayman. In addition he was familiar with computerisation. With the approval of the legal aid authorities, the plaintiffs' solicitors engaged, Mr Medawar and he had been assisting them since December 1984. By now he had a unique knowledge of the plaintiffs' case.
On 2 June 1986, a consent order was made for discovery, inspection to follow. On 1 July, the defendants enquired who would be conducting the inspection. The plaintiffs' list included the name of Mr Medawar. His Lordship said that the defendants then objected to Mr Medawar, having discovered that he was a medical journalist who had published material highly critical of the pharmaceutical industry in general and the Lilly defendants in particular.