Coroner‘s Court.—The Coroners Act states that fees for medical witnesses attending an inquest shall be, for attending to give evidence at an inquest whereat no post-mortem examination has been made by the witness, one guinea. For making a post-mortem examination and attending to give evidence, two guineas. No fee can be obtained for making a post-mortem examination by a medical practitioner, unless it be made by order of the coroner. Extra fees are not provided for when the inquest is adjourned. For an inquest held over the body of a person who has died in a lunatic asylum, public hospital, infirmary, workhouse infirmary, or other medical institution, whether endowed or supported by voluntary contributions, the medical officer of such institution shall not be entitled to a fee. Should the dead body of a person be taken to such an institution, the medical officer, if summoned to give evidence, is entitled to the usual fee. Such fees are paid at the termination of the inquest.
Magistrates‘ Court.—If the witness reside within two miles of the Court, the fee is ten shillings and sixpence; beyond two miles, one guinea.
Courts of Quarter Sessions, and Central Criminal Court of London.—One guinea per day, and two shillings a night away from home, with threepence per mile each way travelling expenses.
Assize Court.—One guinea per day, with two shillings a night away from home, and a reasonable and sufficient amount for travelling expenses. If there be no railway, threepence a mile each way. Sundays are not included.
Court of Probate and Divorce.—One guinea per day within five miles of the General Post Office. If beyond, two or three guineas a day, with expenses out of pocket for coming and returning.
Court of Appeal.—One guinea a day if resident in London; two or three guineas, with travelling expenses, if from a distance.
County Court.—From fifteen shillings as an ordinary witness, with one guinea per day expenses if from home, to one to three guineas for qualifying as an expert witness. With attendance at Court one to two guineas and expenses one to three guineas per day.
In Civil Cases.—An arrangement is usually made with the solicitor for a fee; this should be made before accepting the subpœna. A written undertaking for payment, and properly stamped, should be obtained from the solicitor before giving evidence; in default of this, the witness should appeal to the judge from the witness-box before being sworn. After taking the oath a witness is bound to give evidence, and the solicitor may refer him to his client for the fee, which may lead to disappointment.
IN SCOTLAND
The fee for attendance at High Courts of Justiciary or the Sheriff Criminal Court is one guinea per day, if the Court be held in the town in which the medical witness lives. For a post-mortem examination and report, two guineas. For an analysis of blood or other stains on clothing, two to four guineas, depending upon the amount of work done.