The UK Civil Law Approach to Epidemiology and Statistical Evidence
Venue: Fountain Court Chambers, London EC4Y 9DH
Time: 14:00 - 17:00
This meeting is free to attend but pre-registration is essential as places are limited. Registration is available on:
https://www.statslife.org.uk/events/events-calendar-view/eventdetail/1147/-/the-uk-civil-law-approach-to-epidemiology-and-statistical-evidence
Format:
- Practitioner’s view by Leigh-Ann Mulcahy QC
- Judge’s view by Mr Justice Stuart-Smith
- Legal academic’s view by Professor Jane Stapleton
- Statistician’s view by Professor Jane Hutton
- Epidemiologist’s view by Professor Alan Silman
- Open discussion
Aim:
- To consider the approach in case-law regarding the validity and application of epidemiological and statistical evidence in UK civil law and in particular:
- Whether, and in what circumstances, statistical evidence can be used on its own to prove causation;
- the validity and application of the “doubles the risk” test to (a) proof of defect and (b) proof of factual causation;
- whether there is confusion about how the civil (balance of probabilities) standard of proof operates and its relationship with factual causation;
- whether the right experts are being used in court in relation to these issues;
- the differences between epidemiological and statistical evidence;
- the relevance of the Bradford-Hill criteria;
- whether there are any gaps evident in understanding/approach between the law and statistics/epidemiology and, if so, how these might best be bridged?
More information as well as references can be found at:
https://statslaw.wordpress.com/2018/04/25/colloquium-the-uk-civil-law-approach-to-epidemiology-statistical-evidence/