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Professional Negligence in the 21st Century: Celebrating Professor Keith Stanton

Professor Keith Stanton

Press release issued: 22 February 2017

This summer, papers from a seminar hosted jointly by the Law School and the Journal of Professional Negligence, entitled “Professional Negligence in the 21st Century,” will be published in a special festschrift issue of the journal to celebrate the scholarship of Professor Keith Stanton.

Professor Stanton was a founder and editor of the journal Professional Negligence, which was launched in 1984 – and is one of the longest standing members of the Law School, having taught law here since 1973 following his graduation from Oxford.  

Many law students will have had the pleasure of being taught by Professor Keith Stanton. Last year he won the accolade of one of the most inspirational lecturers at the University, and more recently was cited by alumnus and chair of the Law School Advisory Board, Dr Daniel Schaffer, as a key figure in his journey from student to leading lawyer. 

“This accolade acknowledges a lifetime of ground breaking research in the field of professional negligence. Quite rightly, Keith has gained a reputation as a leading figure in legal education and scholarship. For many his name is synonymous with tort law and he has inspired thousands of students and many aspiring academics to go on and excel in their careers. Keith is a wonderful colleague whom I am proud to have worked with,” Joanne Conaghan, Head of School. 

“Professional Negligence in the 21st Century,” addressed issues such as the impact of the Supreme Court’s Montgomery decision – which resulted in a legal requirement for doctors to ensure that patients are aware of any ‘material risks’ involved in a proposed treatment and of reasonable alternatives. It also covered the developing law of non-delegable duties and its significance for the law of clinical negligence, and the liabilities of investment advisers, litigation funders and the police.

A general theme emerging from the papers is how changing perceptions about the professions have been reflected in changes to legal rules.

Papers presented included:

-          Alumnus Imran Benson (Hailsham Chambers, London):  ‘The liabilities of litigation funders’

-          Head of School, Joanne Conaghan & PhD researcher Clare Torrible: ‘Policing, Professionalism and Liability for Negligence’

-          Professor Paula Giliker: ‘Non-delegable duties and institutional liability for the negligence of hospital staff: Fair, just and reasonable?’

-          Dr Judy Laing: ‘Montgomery and the Medics: Is patient centred disclosure a standard worth waiting for?’

-          Professor Ken Oliphant: ‘Professionalism and professional negligence’

-          Professor Keith Stanton: ‘Investment Advice: Statutory and Common Law Remedies’

The focus of the special festschrift issue of Professional Negligence was announced at the event, to the surprise of Professor Stanton.

 

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