Reviewed case brief

Bolam v. Friern Hospital Management Committee

[1957] 1 WLR 582

[1957] 1 WLR 582 · Queen's Bench Division (England)

negligenceprofessional-standardmedical-negligencebolam-test
Court
Queen's Bench Division (England)
Year
1957
Subjects
Law of Torts
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

A professional is not negligent if their conduct accords with a practice accepted as proper by a responsible, competent body of professional opinion, even if other equally competent professionals might have adopted a different approach.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        [1957] 1 WLR 582

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.