Question:hard

How does the Bolitho clarification affect the application of the Bolam Test?

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Bolam Test: Protects professionals who follow accepted professional practice. Bolitho Test: The accepted professional opinion must also be logically defensible.
Updated On: Jul 9, 2026
  • It makes the Bolam Test applicable only to criminal cases.
  • It asserts that professional opinion must have a logical basis to be protected from negligence claims.
  • It mandates that only one expert witness is ever allowed in court.
  • It eliminates the "reasonable person" standard for doctors.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall the original Bolam Test.
Under Bolam, a professional escapes a finding of negligence if their conduct is backed by a responsible body of professional opinion.
Step 2: Recall what Bolitho changed.
Bolitho added a check on this, holding that the professional opinion relied upon must also be logically defensible, a court can reject even a body of opinion if it does not stand up to logical analysis.
Step 3: Rule out the wrong effects.
Bolitho does not restrict Bolam to criminal cases, does not cap expert witnesses at one, and does not remove the reasonable person standard altogether.
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