Dr Barley trained in Oxford, and was a Consultant in Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre for 25 years, retiring from clinical work in 2003. Over the last 35 years he has given advice on medico-legal issues in Oncology, and has provided over 600 reports for Solicitors of Claimants and Defendants. His specialist interests are Gynaecological, Head and Neck and Skin cancer, and he believes that improvements in the management of cancer and longer survival depend largely on early diagnosis and prevention, though recent advances in biological therapies have greatly enhanced the treatment of more advanced cancers.