Psychology Expert Witnesses

Defendants, claimants and witnesses.

People with complex mental health needs.

Individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism or learning disability.

Vulnerable adults and children who may have experienced trauma or abuse.

Fitness to plead and stand trial: considering cognitive ability, understanding of proceedings, ability to follow evidence and give instructions.

Capacity and decision-making: assessments under the Mental Capacity Act, including the ability to make decisions about litigation, residence, contact or care.

Assessing mental state at the time of the alleged offence: including consideration of criminal responsibility, intent and potential contributory psychological factors.

Suggestibility and reliability of evidence: for example, the extent to which a person may be vulnerable to pressure, leading questions or false confessions.

Psychological injury and trauma: following accidents, assaults, workplace incidents or clinical negligence.

Reducing risk of reoffending or future harm: in the context of sentencing, parole hearings or public protection decisions.

Personality, behaviour and functioning assessment: including complex presentations such as personality disorder, PTSD, substance misuse or co-morbid conditions.

In every case, the psychologist expert witness will draw on recognised psychological tests, structured clinical interviews and carefully selected psychometric tools where appropriate. They will also review relevant documentation, such as medical records, witness statements, police reports and previous expert reports to ensure their opinion is well-founded and comprehensive.

Forensic Defence offers one of the most comprehensive psychology expert witness panels in the sector. Our experts cover a broad range of disciplines and specialisms, including:

• Forensic psychology.
• Clinical psychology.
• Neuropsychology.
• Child and adolescent psychology.
• Learning disability and neurodevelopmental services.
• Occupational and workplace psychology related to stress, bullying and trauma.

This breadth means we can usually identify an expert witness psychologist with precisely the right expertise – whether your case involves serious offending, complex trauma, family court proceedings, personal injury or capacity issues. We can assist in:

• Criminal proceedings (Magistrates’, Crown and Youth Courts).
• Family law matters, including public and private law children cases.
• Civil and personal injury litigation.
• Employment disputes and workplace investigations.
• Mental health tribunals, parole hearings and other specialist tribunals.

We will discuss your requirements at the outset, advise on the most appropriate type of psychologist expert witness for the issues raised, and provide a clear quote for the work required.

Quality is central to the service we provide. Each expert witness psychologist on our panel has been carefully selected and is subject to ongoing quality assurance. As a minimum, our experts will:

• Be appropriately qualified and registered with the relevant professional bodies.
• Have substantial post-qualification experience in their area of practice.
• Demonstrate specific experience of working as psychologists as expert witnesses.
• Understand and comply with the relevant court rules and professional guidance for expert evidence.
• Hold appropriate professional indemnity insurance.

We review sample reports, CVs and references before adding any psychologist expert witness to our panel. We then monitor feedback, report quality and timeliness on an ongoing basis. This structured approach helps ensure that when you instruct Forensic Defence, you are working with experts who are trial-ready and used to giving evidence under cross-examination.

Our internal clinical and legal oversight ensures that instructions are clear, the scope of work is appropriate and any potential conflicts of interest are identified at an early stage. Where necessary, we will discuss alternative options with you, so that the expert evidence remains focused, proportionate and useful to the court.

As a nationwide provider of psychology expert witness services, we are familiar with the demands and expectations of different courts and tribunals. Our experts have provided evidence in:

• Criminal courts, including serious and high-profile cases.
• Family courts, including complex care proceedings and private law disputes.
• Civil courts dealing with personal injury, clinical negligence and employment matters.
• Parole Board hearings and mental health tribunals.

This depth of experience allows our psychologist expert witnesses to tailor their assessments and reports to the specific context. They understand what judges, juries and panels need in order to make informed decisions, and they present their findings in a way that is accessible to non-psychologists while retaining clinical and scientific rigour.

Our experts are comfortable giving oral evidence, participating in experts’ meetings and responding to written questions. They are used to working alongside other professionals such as psychiatrists, social workers, probation officers, occupational therapists and medical specialists, ensuring that psychological evidence integrates effectively with the wider picture in the case.

A high-quality psychology expert witness report must be thorough, transparent and clearly reasoned. Our experts prepare reports that:

• Set out the instructions, background information and sources of evidence
• Describe the assessment process, including any psychological tests used
• Provide a clear formulation of the psychological issues in the case
• Answer each of the court’s or instructing party’s questions directly
• Explain conclusions and opinions, with reference to relevant research and clinical experience
• Use accessible, plain English while avoiding oversimplification

We understand that the quality of written evidence can be decisive in many cases. Our psychologists as expert witnesses are experienced in writing reports for different audiences, from busy judges to lay clients and juries. Where appropriate, they will include clear summaries, bullet points and recommendations to ensure that their conclusions are easy to follow and can be readily applied to the legal questions at hand.

Where time allows, internal proof-checking and quality review processes are used to minimise the risk of error and to make sure that the report fully addresses the issues raised in the instructions. If the court or legal team needs clarifications or supplementary questions answered, our experts will respond as efficiently as possible.

We know that when you are working to directions or listing dates, delays in expert evidence can have significant consequences. Forensic Defence is set up to provide a prompt, responsive service from the moment you contact us.

Our team will:

• Acknowledge your enquiry quickly and, wherever possible, provide an initial response within one working hour.
• Confirm availability and likely timescales for an appropriate psychology expert witness.
• Offer clear guidance on the information and documentation required to progress the assessment.
• Provide a transparent breakdown of fees and any additional costs, so that you can keep the case on budget.
• Keep you informed of progress and any emerging issues throughout the life of the instruction.

If a case becomes more complex, timeframes change or additional questions arise, we will work with you to adjust the scope of work and plan next steps. Our aim is to ensure that the expert witness psychologist remains a help, not a hindrance, to the smooth running of your case.