History of the Oxford Medico Legal Society
(by J Kenwright & Helen Niebuhr)
The Society was founded in 1998 by a barrister, Rob Weir and a solicitor, Helen Niebuhr. The aim was to create a forum where members of the legal and medical professions could meet to share information. A committee of lawyers, academics, and doctors was formed who thought that it would be fruitful and very interesting to meet regularly in order to listen to, and discuss papers presented by experts on matters of common interest.
The intention was to create a forum at which a debate could take place on legal and ethical issues of importance to the professions and to society, and that these issues would concern the area of overlap between legal, medical, and allied professionals. It was hoped, and planned that social interaction would also take place. There was strong support for this proposal, and more than 100 people attended the inaugural meeting, held on 22 July 1998 at the Oxford University Press headquarters in Walton Street, at which a paper was presented by Simeon Maskrey QC on “causation”.
In subsequent years papers have been presented at the rate of approximately four per year, on widely ranging topics, and memorable debates have taken place. The Society has been able to continue holding its meetings in the historic setting of the Oxford University Press due to the hospitality of the Trustees of OUP.
In 2008 the Society will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of its launch at a special dinner to be held in July at one of the historic buildings in Oxford.
The founding officers of the Society were Mr Rob Weir, the first Chairman, and Helen Niebuhr, who served as secretary. Judge Tom Corrie took over as Chairman when Rob Weir moved to practise in London. The Society has been supported from the start by its honorary President, Professor John Kenwright.
Others who have acted as secretary are Alison Scott and Judy Leach. The current secretary, who has arranged this year’s program, is Rebecca Hewitt.