inspector calls
An
Laura Irvine of bto solicitors off ers some useful guidance should you be contacted by police to provide a statement, or to be interviewed under caution
F
EW people relish the thought of being contacted by the police for anything – let alone to be interviewed as a witness, or worse a suspect. Doctors and dentists are no
diff erent. T e police may contact you seeking information for any number of reasons – a coroner’s inquest (England and Wales), a fatal accident inquiry (Scotland) or in relation to a criminal matter. Knowing what to expect and having adequate legal support can help ensure you do not say or do anything you might later regret.
Witness statements Providing a statement to the police as a witness should be a relatively straightforward process. In England and Wales the police may ask you to provide your own written statement which can then be used as evidence in court. However, they may request to come and take a statement from you. In Scotland this is the most common approach. Scottish courts place less reliance on written evidence than in England and Wales, preferring evidence to be given orally, and so you are more likely to be required to attend court to give evidence. In Scotland, it is your recollection at the time of the court
appearance that the court will be most interested in, and not what you said in your original statement. However your statement can be used to remind you about what you said nearer the time, or to challenge your evidence if you say something diff erent in court. T e police will note your statement and normally ask you
to sign it to ensure that it is accurate. It is important to make sure your statement has been noted accurately and that you are happy with it before you sign it. You are unlikely to be given a copy of your statement when it is taken. In England and Wales you may be supplied with a copy before having to attend court but in Scotland this is unlikely. If you do have to give evidence then you may be asked to
look at any relevant medical records in court. It could be some time since you dealt with the case and most people fi nd giving evidence in court a daunting experience and one they
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