[The physician as a legal expert witness]

Medical expertising is becoming more frequent in courts mainly because of the increase in liability lawsuits against physicians which is due, among other things, to the perfectionist trend in medical technique and an excessive claimant mentality of patients. All this results in an enhanced importance of the court-appointed medical expert, with which he can cope only if he considers himself to be an "assistant to the judge". The article describes his position and responsibility and also his possible liability.