Psychological Tests & Assessments for Expert Witness & medico legal (and other purposes).

Understanding complex mental health conditions can be difficult in legal situations. To help, we have a variety of expert witnesses who can explain these conditions in clear, accessible ways. Our team includes psychiatrists, child and adult psychologists, educational psychologists, forensic psychologists, neuropsychologists, and cognitive behavioural psychotherapists.

All our experts are registered with reputable healthcare organizations like the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the General Medical Council (GMC), and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RcPsych). Many are also accredited by Cardiff University Law School/Bond Solon as Expert Witnesses. This means they are recognized for their ability to provide high-quality, understandable reports for courts.

Our medico-legal reports include the following as part of the entire assessment process:

• 2-hour assessment
• Psychometrics
• Details of any diagnosis
• The appropriate treatment recommended
• Prognosis with the correct treatment
• Prognosis if they did not access this treatment
• Experts opinion
• Reviewing up to 10 pages of brief medical notes and legal documents (instructions sent by a solicitor are not counted)

At times, a medico-legal report including the above is not necessary. Depending on the case, we also offer a short assessment to individuals who do not need an extensive report. If you are unsure whether a medico-legal or short assessment is required, you can chat with our helpful team and discuss your requirements. A short assessment includes:

• Initial consultation
• A short letter with feedback, any diagnosis if relevant, and recommendations for treatment.

We offer expert witness psychological and psychiatrist assessment and report writing in the following areas:

Asylum and immigration cases
Family law
Personal injury
Child and adolescent
Trauma
Mental capacity
Substance abuse
Forensic/Criminal Law
Risk assessments
Personality assessments
Diagnosis (DSM-IV and ICD-10)
Employment stress and absence
School/university performance and mitigating circumstance
Cosmetic surgery psychological assessments
Emotional support animal
Life in the UK Test Exemption Information
Asylum and Immigration medico legal cases

Criminal court cases involve the prosecution of an individual for a crime. This could include crimes such as theft, robbery, murder, grievous bodily harm, or arson. In these cases, a medico-legal report will detail how a defendant’s mental health condition could have impacted their behavior or decision-making at the time of the alleged crime. If a diagnosis is made, it may be taken into account during the sentencing.

Civil court cases, also known as civil lawsuits, are legal disputes between two or more parties seeking to resolve a conflict. It can cover areas such as contract or property disputes, family law, personal injury claims, and estate issues. A medico-legal report in this context would provide an assessment to determine an individual’s mental health which may have contributed to the dispute in the first place. For example, in disputes related to family law, a medico-legal report might be used to assess parental capability or a child’s psychological well-being.

Employment tribunals resolve disputes between employers and employees regarding employment rights. Typical disputes in this area include unfair dismissals, wage disputes, discrimination, or whistle-blowing. A medico-legal report in this case would provide insight into the employee’s mental health condition which may have impacted their ability to perform their duties appropriately, and the required adjustments which must be made by the employer to accommodate for these.

Family court cases, also referred to as family law cases, deal with legal issues related to family relationships. These can include issues like divorce, custody rights, domestic abuse, and paternity. Oftentimes, mediation or negotiation will be used before resorting to a full court hearing. A medico-legal report in these cases can assist in determining whether a parent is fit to look after a child and assessing the psychological effects of domestic abuse on the victim/survivor.

Personal injury cases are legal disputes as a result of one person suffering harm from an accident or injury, and someone else might be responsible for that harm. This can include road traffic or workplace accidents, falls, or defective products. Medico-legal reports in this context are crucial to determine the psychological or physical impact of the injury on the victim’s wellbeing. It can include information to determine any causation or investigate the long-term psychological impact of the injury at hand.

Clinical negligence cases, also known as medical malpractice, are legal disputes as a result of a patient being harmed or injured due to a healthcare professional’s failure to provide their duty of care. This can include anything from a misdiagnosis resulting in inappropriate treatment, surgical mistakes, or incorrect medication prescriptions. A medico-legal report will be important in determining how the malpractice impacted one’s psychological well-being and assessing the level of care which was given to the individual and how (if) this was neglected.

Our fees are dependent on the practitioner required, turnaround time, and length of documents required for review.

For an HCPC registered psychologist, our fees are:

£1200 – including 10 pages of documents to be reviewed* (instructions sent by a solicitor are not counted).
£1500 – all including unlimited pages of documents to be reviewed* (instructions sent by a solicitor are not counted).
£2000 – for a turnaround of less than two weeks from the assessment date.

For a consultant psychiatrist registered with the GMC, our fees are:

£1800 – including 10 pages of documents to be reviewed* (instructions sent by a solicitor are not counted).
£2100 – all including unlimited pages of documents to be reviewed* (instructions sent by a solicitor are not counted).
£200 – surcharge for a turnaround less than two weeks from the assessment date.

*Please note that all documents must be received before your assessment takes place giving a reasonable amount of time for the documents to be reviewed before you meet your practitioner.

A psychologist is a mental health practitioner who has completed an undergraduate degree in psychology and a doctoral-level degree in clinical, educational, forensic, or counselling psychology. They are usually registered by the HCPC or British Psychological Society (BPS). A psychiatrist in contrast is a mental health practitioner who has completed their medical training and subsequently specialised in psychiatry. They are registered with the GMC and have the right to prescribe medication for psychological issues (if deemed appropriate).

In regards to which one is suitable for medico-legal reports, this will depend on the case and the presenting issue at hand. It is usually wise to gain confirmation from your solicitor or the court judge to determine which practitioner will be preferable or appropriate for your case. This will avoid you from making an uninformed financial commitment.

If you would like to talk to someone about a medico-legal report, please get in touch with the Private Therapy Clinic on Whatsapp message at: 7511116565 email, chat bot or book online to arrange an appointment.

Interactive, P. (n.d.). Family Law Self-Help Center – Types of Cases. Family Law Self-Help Center – Types of Cases. Link

The courts and tribunals of England and Wales – ICLR. (2022, July 18). ICLR. Link