Do you accept instructions directly from members of the public, families, or defendants?
No. We accept instructions only from instructing solicitors (and, in appropriate cases, from recognised agencies or counsel acting in a matter). We do not take instructions from defendants, claimants, family members, or other individuals directly, however urgent or serious the matter. If you are involved in proceedings, your solicitor is the correct person to instruct us on your behalf.
Why can’t I instruct you myself?
An expert witness is instructed within a legal case and owes an overriding duty to the Court. The expert needs the case papers, the specific legal questions to be addressed, and proper terms of instruction — all of which are best coordinated and sent by a solicitor. Reports commissioned outside this framework are sometimes of less value to proceedings, so instructing us directly may not help your case.
I don’t have a solicitor yet — what should I do?
You will need to instruct a solicitor before one of our experts can be brought in. If you face criminal proceedings you may be entitled to legal aid. You can find a solicitor through the Law Society’s “Find a Solicitor” service (solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk) or, for criminal matters, ask at the court or police station about duty solicitor arrangements. Once a solicitor is acting for you, they can consider whether an expert report is appropriate and contact us.
Do you provide medical treatment, diagnosis, or clinical care?
No. We provide expert witness services for legal proceedings only. We do not offer treatment, ongoing care, prescriptions, or clinical management of any kind. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please contact your GP, your local NHS mental health service, or — in a crisis or emergency — call 999 or NHS 111.
Someone I care about is unwell and involved in a case. Can you help urgently?
We understand these situations are distressing, but we cannot act on an urgent request from a family member or friend. The right step is to make sure the person has a solicitor who is aware of the mental health concerns. The solicitor can raise fitness, capacity, or psychiatric issues with the Court and instruct an appropriate expert. For immediate clinical concerns, the GP and NHS mental health services remain the correct route.
My GP suggested I contact you. Is that the right route?
A clinician may mention that an expert assessment could be relevant, but the instruction must still come through a solicitor acting in the proceedings. Please pass our details to your solicitor rather than contacting us yourself.
What happens if I send you case details directly?
We are not able to review, advise on, or retain case material sent to us by individuals who are not instructing solicitors. Please do not send us documents or sensitive personal information directly. If you would like us to assist, ask your solicitor to make contact.
What age range do you cover?
We are Forensic Psychiatrists working with adults. We see patients 18 years and older. For some 17 year old patients we will assess them for some purposes – such as fitness to plead.
We do not see people under 17 in relation to developmental concerns, for example cognitive age assessments, developmental assessments or similar.