Facts
The claimant suffered fractures during electro-convulsive therapy given without relaxant drugs or restraints.
Issue
What standard of care applies to a professional?
Held
The doctor was not , because he acted in accordance with a practice accepted as proper by a responsible body of medical opinion.
Principle
A professional is judged by the standard of the ordinary skilled person professing that skill (McNair J).
Why it matters
The Bolam test for professional negligence.
Cited in these chapters
Cite this page
Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee [1957] 1 WLR 582 (Lanbuk) <https://www.lanbuk.com/llb/torts/cases/bolam-v-friern-hospital> accessed 31 October 2026
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This summary is a Lanbuk study aid based on the generally known facts and reports of the case. It is not legal advice.