the doctor and the court

The Doctor and the Court:-Court Procedures and Expert

Evidences

DATO’ DR ZAHARI BIN NOOR, DIMP.MD(USM), DLM(Sheffield), DMJ(Lond),MSc(Sheffield), DipForMed(Monash).

FFFLM(Lond)

Ketua Jabatan dan Pakar Perunding Forensik

Jabatan Perubatan ForensikHospital Pulau Pinang

Modes of presenting evidences

• Preliminary reports

• Medical Reports

• Medical Records

• Oral statements to the police

• Oral evidence in the court

Medical Reports – for Medico legal purposes

Writing medical reports• Tell about yourself – Name, Post, Qualifications,

Experience• Tell about the patient – Patient’s ID• Date, time & place of examination• Reasons for the examination• Consent obtained from whom• Who was present during the examination• Relevant Presenting H/O• Clinical Findings• What samples taken and to whom handed• Relevant treatment• Conclusion

WRITING MEDICAL REPORTS

• Factual or opinion or both

• Format flexible and comprehensible

• Clear and easy to read

• Intelligible to non medical people

• Language straightforward and simple

• Accurate and balance

• Divided into sections and subsections

• Check and double check for errors

• Non fiction report please

• Don’t forget to sign,date and your name

1 1 3

Presenting Evidence in court

Expert evidence• When the court has to form an opinion upon a

point of science or art…. The opinion upon that point of persons specially skilled in the science or art are relevant facts (S45 (1) Evidence Act 1957)

• Such persons are called experts (S45 (2) Evidence Act 1957)

• An expert opinion is only admissible scientific information which is unlikely within the experience and knowledge of a judge. (Chou Kooi Pand v PP (1998) 3 SLR 593, 598 (CA)

The expert witness

If the subject matter of the trial is one where the average man is capable of making up his own mind, expert evidence is inadmissible. But where technical or scientific insight is required to understand the issues which are outside the experience or knowledge of the Judge, expert evidence is admitted in order to assist the Court to arrive at the proper conclusion. (Dato' Mahadev Shankar Former Judge, Court of Appeal of Malaysia, 2nd National Medico-Legal Conference, Kuala Lumpur, April 2000)

Expert Evidence – 2 types

• The distinction between expert evidence of a fact and expert evidence of opinion can often be blurred especially if the witness is giving evidence of both kinds.

• The law permits evidence to be given of facts which may be invisible to a lay witness but is visible to an expert because his particular skill has enabled him to identify those facts perhaps with the aid of sophisticated equipment.

• Opinion evidence based on other facts which do not require capacities for perception beyond the limits of the layman is not admissible.

• A doctor’s evidence can be characterized as an expert,.

• The decision to acknowledge an expert is made by the judge, whereby it is admissible by the court.

Calling the witness

• In Criminal Court. The application for subpoena shall be made by the counsel who required that witness. The Court will call witnesses by way of issuing a Subpoena

• In Civil court the counsel may submit that application and call the witness without the need of subpoena.

What is subpoena

• Subpoena is a notice from the court that compelled the witness to be present in court at the specified place, time and date.

• In Criminal Court, the subpoena will be handed by Police Officer from the Procecuting Division (Cawangan Pendakwaan).

Subpoenas Issued in

Peninsular Malaysia

Subpoenas Issued in Sabah & Sarawak

Subpoenas• Accepting subpoena

Sign subpoenas yourselfCall the IO/PO asked the detailsPhotocopies not accepted pleasePhone calls only not answeredDon’t let your nurse/MA signed for you

• Uses of subpoenasProof of traveling claimsProof of your attendance in court, make sure

the subpoena is signed and stampedbefore you leave the court.

What happened if you refused to go to court once you accepted a subpoena

• Melarikan diri bagi mengelakkan daripada disampaikan sapina menjadi satu kesalahan S.172 Kanun Keseksaan

• Jika setelah menerima sapina dan saksi enggan atau tidak hadir ditempat, tarikh dan masa yang ditetapkan menjadikan satu kesalahan. S.174 Kanun Keseksaan.

• Hukuman: Penjara enam bulan, denda atau kedua-dua.

Preparing for Court TrialPreparing for Court Trial

•Revise material/caseRevise material/case•Prepare materials to be usedPrepare materials to be used•Pre-trial meeting with prosecutorPre-trial meeting with prosecutor•Know where & which is the courtKnow where & which is the court•Have clear mind and purposeHave clear mind and purpose•Be impartial and not judgmental Be impartial and not judgmental •Have a good night's rest!Have a good night's rest!

ETIKA MAHKAMAH

ETIKA MAHKAMAH

• WAKTU MAHKAMAH

• PAKAIAN

• BAHASA/TINGKAH LAKU

• (Perlu diketahui – Kegagalan mematuhi – Kesalahannya Penghinaan Mahkamah)

WAKTU MAHKAMAHChief Justices’ Practice Direction – Pada amnya semua mahkamah perlu mengikuti masa bekerja seperti berikut:

• 9.00 pg – 11.00 pg : Persidangan Mahkamah Terbuka.

• 11.15 pg – 12.30 t/hari : Sambungan. • 2.00 ptg – 4.00 ptg : Sambungan.

Nota: Masa diatas praktik secara am. Terdapat Majistret/Hakim bermula lebih awal dan tamat lebih daripada jam 5 petang. Perlu mengetahui bagaimanakah seseorang Magistret menjalankan perbicaraan.

PAKAIAN

• PEGUAM – Seluar, tali leher & jaket hitam, dengan baju lengan panjang putih. Wanita dalam jacket hitam (no brass buttons), baju putih lengan panjang, skirt panjang (dibawah lutut) hitam.

• PENDAKWA RAYA – TPR dan agensi kerajaan yang boleh menjalankan pendakwaan, pakaiannya sama dengan peguam. Agensi lain yang beruniform perlu lengkap diri dalam pakaian kerjanya.

PAKAIAN • SAKSI – Berpakian kemas – tidak boleh pakai

selipar, T-shirts tiada berkolar dan jeans. Magistret boleh mengarahkan saksi, peguam, pendakwa raya keluar dari premis mahkamah jika tidak mematuhi arahan berpakaian ini.

• (It is prudent for prosecuting officers to advice their witnesses to dress up properly before attending Court. Non-compliance to dress code may subject the offender to contempt of Court proceedings.)

Going to Court• Men – pakai baju dan seluar please• Smart, tie, long sleeve, pants, shoes, dark suit

better (esp. High Court)• Ladies – no mini skirts, no low cut, no bare back

and no bare arm pits• Bring along your Medical Reports, Draft, even

contemporaneous notes• Be there early• Make your self known• Be prepared

Please don’t torture the Judge!

Don’t be too extreme!

ADDRESSING THE COURT

• “Yang Amat Arif “ – Ketua Hakim Negara, Hakim Besar Malaya, Hakim Besar Borneo.

• “Yang Arif” – Hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan, Mahkamah rayuan, Mahkamah Tinggi, Pesuruhjaya Kehakiman (Judicial Commissioner).

ADDRESSING THE COURT

• “Tuan/Puan Pendaftar” – Penolong Kanan Pendaftar.

• “Tuan/Puan Hakim” – Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen.

• “Tuan/Puan Majistret” – Majistret.

• “Encik/Cik” – Peguam & Saksi

Nota: Sabah & Sarawak - “My Lord” or “Your Honour”

In the court

Any witness in Court will undergo 3 stagesof examination by the lawyers• Examination in chief - by the lawyer who

called the witness (S 137(1)Evidence Act 1957)• Cross examination - by the opposing lawyer

(S 137(2)Evidence Act 1957)• Re examination – by the lawyer who called

the witness (S 137(3)Evidence Act 1957)

• S. 138 (2) AK – Pemeriksaan utama dan pemeriksaan balas mestilah berhubungan dengan fakta relevan, tetapi pemeriksaan balas tidak perlu dihadkan kepada fakta-fakta yang telah diberi sebagai keterangan oleh saksi dalam pemeriksaan utamanya.

• S. 138 (3) AK - Pemeriksaan semula hendaklah diarahkan kepada penghuraian perkara-perkara yang disebut dalam pemeriksaan balas. Perkara baru boleh dengan kebenaran mahkamah tetapi pihak lawan berhak memeriksa balas.

• S. 138 (4) AK - Mahkamah boleh membenarkan saksi

dipanggil semula

In the Court- when your name is called

•Get ready your identification document (eg.I/C, passport,etc)•Upon entering the court bow your head slightly towards the judge•Court personnel will usher you to the witness stand/witness box/ kandang saksi•Court personnel will ask for your ID document to pass to the judge

In the Witness Box• Read the oath clearly• Asked permission before referring to your notes• Look at the judge or the magistrate when giving

evidence• Talk slowly but clearly (remember judges write every

word you said in long hand)• Be prepared to explain and teach the court, but do not

talk beyond the scope of questions asked of you. Offer no more information than you are asked and be aware of the limits of your experience.

• Relax and don’t behave like you are the accused (the opposing lawyers will love you)

LANGUAGE/MANNERISM

AKTA BAHASA KEBANGSAAN 1963/1967

• Sec. 8 – 1 Jun 1990 Bahasa Melayu (BM) untuk digunakan di semua mahkamah Semenanjung M’sia. Tetapi, seorang saksi boleh memilih mana satu bahasa yang beliau ingin memberi kenyataannya akan tetapi pernyataan akan diterjemah dalam Bahasa Melayu kepada Mahkamah.

LANGUAGE/MANNERISM

AKTA BAHASA KEBANGSAAN 1963/1967 • S.8 memberi kuasa kepada Mahkamah untuk memilih

prosiding samaada dalam B. Melayu ataupun Inggeris. • Jika satu pihak membantah kegunaan sesuatu bahasa,

Hakim akan membuat satu keputusan mana satu bahasa untuk digunakan demi kepentingan keadilan mendengarkan kes.

Giving Evidence

No medical or scientific witness is likely to find himself in difficulties if he has paid attention to four basic rules:

1. Familiarise yourself with the facts of the case.

2. Make positive efforts in the choice of words and phrases to express yourself clearly and succinctly.

3. Confine your evidence to your field(s) of expertise.

4. Remain tolerant and courteous, whilst firm.(Professor Keith Simpson)

Cross examination• The opposing counsel will attempt to show that you are not

qualified (Junaidi vs PP (1993) 3 MLJ 229)

• To discredit you, the cross-examiner will try to show you have little or no theoretical, educational or practical experience. (Sim Ah Poh v PP (1962) MLJ 42)

• Will try to show inconsistencies in statements you have made in your discovery deposition, any written reports you have made (Lee Beng Siang v PP (1992) MLJ 120)

• To discredit the foundations of your opinions, the opposing counsel will question whether you have run enough tests, examined enough facts, etc.

• The opposing counsel may try to show you are confused and therefore could be wrong.

The experience and qualificationof the Chemist been questioned in court by the defense lawyer

MEMPERINGATKAN SEMULA

• Sek 159 AK - Saksi boleh merujuk kepada tulisan dibuat olehnya sendiri pada masa transaksi yang mengenainya dia disoal, atau selepas sahaja daripadanya hingga difikirkan mungkin oleh mahkamah bahawa transaksi itu masih pada masa itu jelas dalam ingatan.

• Boleh rujuk mana-mana tulisan oleh lain orang dan dibaca oleh saksi pada masa tersebut dulu, dan dia tahu tulisan itu betul.

• Sek 160 AK - Saksi boleh memberi keterangan mengenai fakta-fakta yang disebutkan dalam mana-mana dokumen yang tersebut dalam seksyen 159, walaupun dia tidak mempunyai ingatan spesifik tentang fakta itu sendiri, jika dia yakin bahawa fakta itu telah direkodkan dengan betul dalam dokumen itu.

• Sek 161 AK - Apa-apa tulisan mestilah dikemukakan dan ditunjukkan kepada pihak lawan jika dia menghendakinya dan boleh memeriksa balas saksi itu mengenai tulisan itu.

MEMPERINGATKAN SEMULA

• Bolehkah seorang saksi merujuk pernyataan d/b sek 112 KPJ sebelum memberi keterangan?

• Kes Moomin bin Seman v PP [1993] 3 MLJ 282 - mengatakan tidak boleh.

• Kes PP V Dato’ Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim(No 3) [1999] 2 MLJ 1 – Percakapan polis boleh ditunjukkan kepada saksi sebelum memberi keterangan, tiada penghalangan disisi undang-undang

The Art of testimony

• It’s easier for the judge to absorb what you’re saying when you phrase well and allow time for the listener to grasp what you have said. Pausing before and after important points helps accomplish this.

• Avoid being rude and aggressive.• Look at the judge when you talk.• Watch your demeanor, body language and try to

make an impression of your obvious sincerity.• Show your ability to explain information in clear

simple terms.

Last but not least – You are there

• You are there as a friend of the Court• You are there as a doctor (expert witness) who

assist the court in the proceeding• You are there as non partisan professional or

expert witness• You are there not belongs to anybody except to

god• You are there, so be responsible to the oath you’ve

taken to tell the truth nothing but the truth