Dr Sarah Krähenbühl, an associate member of Psychology Direct, Chartered Psychologist and Lecturer in Psychology at Staffordshire University and also with The Open University, has undertaken extensive research on interviewing strategies used in children’s forensic interviews and as such has highly specialised skills in the area of child testimony.  Dr Krähenbühl is a joint holder of a...

The publication by the University of Central Lancashire of a summary report "Evaluating Expert Witness Psychological Reports: Exploring Quality" by Professor Jane Ireland in February of this year is thought by many psychologists who work as expert witnesses to have created confusion about: - the status of the recommendations in the summary report; - the titles, qualifications...

A new report by Professor Jane Ireland, published this week, claims that up to 20% of Experts instructed in cases in the Family Courts are not qualified. In the first report of it's kind in the UK, Professor Ireland looked at 126 Expert Witness reports from Courts in the Midlands, North and South of England. Professor...

Whilst we do not recommend using a standard template for the preparation of a psychology medico legal report, we can make some recommendations as to what they should contain.  This information is based on the fact that we provide in excess of 500 psychology medico legal reports to a wide range of clients per annum....

A Psychology Expert Witness is a qualified Psychologist who has become an Expert in their field by undertaking specialist training, additional study or gained extensive experience within a particular area.  Examples of suitable criteria for validating the competence of a Psychology Expert Witness may include: - Relevant graduate and/or post-graduate qualifications specific to the case in...

Fitness to Plead in the Crown Court (Archbold 4-166a to 4-185) The purpose of this procedure is to strike a fair balance between the need to protect a defendant, who has, in fact, done nothing wrong but is unfit to plead at his trial, and the need to protect the public from a defendant who has...

There are many ways that solicitors, courts, insurance companies, employers or private individuals can find an Expert Witness. However, the most important factor to consider before selecting an Expert Witness, is what type of Expert Witness is most appropriate to undertake the medico-legal report that is required.  This is best discussed with a solicitor as there...

We are often contacted by clients who are not sure if they need a psychologist or a psychiatrist.  Much of our role is to understand the details of each client's particular requirements and provide guidance as to which type of Mental Health Professional, or indeed other type of professional, is most suitable.  The information below...

Choosing the right Expert for your client's assessment or treatment can be a very difficult business.  When looking for an Expert Psychologist is it important to ensure that they are suitable qualified to undertake the task in question.  Examples of criteria for validating the competence of a Psychology Expert may include: - Relevant graduate and post-graduate...

We see dozens of letters of instruction to experts every week and know only too well that a well written, clear letter can make a huge difference to the time, cost and quality of a report that the solicitor receives from an expert witness. Whilst solicitors are experts in the law, it can sometimes be difficult...