Legal affairs: the ultimate arbiter of radiation effects - the scientist or the lawyer?

The increasing role of the legal process in resolving questions of causation in radiation effects cases is discussed. The protective and corrective functions of the law are contrasted. The manner in which causation is approached in civil litigation is compared with the epidemiological method. The burden and standards of proof, the concept of material contribution and the approach to dosimetry, the special nature of multi-party cases, and the public perception of judicial determination on causation questions are mentioned. (author)