Prospective
249—(1) This section applies for the purposes of any provision of this Part under which a court may act on the written evidence of a medical practitioner or a medical practitioner of any description.
(2) A report in writing purporting to be signed by a medical practitioner or a medical practitioner of such a description may, subject to the provisions of this section, be received in evidence—
(a)without proof of the signature of the practitioner; and
(b)without proof that he or she has the required qualifications or is of the required description.
(3) But the court may require the signatory of any such report to be called to give oral evidence.
(4) Where in pursuance of a direction of the court any such report is tendered in evidence otherwise than by or on behalf of the person who is the subject of the report, then—
(a)if that person is represented by counsel or a solicitor, a copy of the report must be given to that counsel or solicitor;
(b)if that person is not so represented, the substance of the report must be disclosed to him or her or, where the person is a child, to his or her parent or guardian if present in court; and
(c)that person may require the signatory of the report to be called to give oral evidence, and evidence to rebut the evidence contained in the report may be called by or on behalf of that person.