Health and Social Care Bill

Debate between Lord Campbell of Alloway and Lord Faulks

Monday 27th February 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Campbell of Alloway]

I very briefly take the point made about an apology for the mistake. I do this because when I was an advocate I appeared before the BMA for quite a lot of medical professionals. If your client says, “I am terribly sorry for my mistake”, it puts one in a very difficult position; the advocate must show that the mistake had nothing to do with the result. I will not take up time, but say merely, as an erstwhile advocate, watch it.

[Lord Faulks]

Before the noble Lord sits down, could he confirm that, since the Compensation Act 2006, an apology is no longer deemed to be an admission of liability?