Leading provider of psychological services

Expert WitnessCriminal

Dedicated to providing high quality expert witnesses for Criminal Law cases

Finding an expert witness shouldn’t be a trial.

The pressure that comes with criminal cases for solicitors and legal professionals, whether acting for the defence or the prosecution, is profound. With so much at stake for the defendant, victim, families and all the professionals involved in criminal proceedings, time is always of the essence. Delays and issues help no-one and can cause great distress.

When psychologists are instructed to act in criminal proceedings, their expert witness report and testimony can be key to the case, and to the provision of effective representation. Not only will you need an expert witness from the right area of Psychological specialty, but they must be skilled in communicating their findings in court, supply a high quality report in a timely manner and be willing to work for Legal Aid rates. You may also need very specific specialist knowledge, cultural awareness, language or the ability to meet tight deadlines.

Finding the right Psychologist to act as your expert witness can be time-consuming.

Thanks to our extensive network of over 1000 highly experienced and pre-vetted Psychologists, with one call to us, you will find the right Psychology expert. They will have the appropriate skills and experience, be guaranteed to work at Legal Aid rates and supply reports when required. You’ll also receive a host of added value services from advice and guidance, 100% proof-reading of reports and all administration and bookings handled by our proactive, friendly team.

Our Criminal Law Expert Witness services/assessments include:

Mental capacity and Fitness to Plead
Re-offending risk Assessments
IQ and cognitive functioning
Suggestibility and false confessions
Witness Reliability
Criminal responsibility
Pre-sentencing reports
Neuropsychological Assessments
Mental health and personality disorder assessments
Sex offender risk assessments
Prison parole hearing assessments
Assessments of Indeterminate Prisoners for Public Protection (IPP)

Psychology Direct – A dedicated, professional service

Three CVs and fees within 24 hours
Psychologists are trained, experienced and skilled in reporting their findings to the court
Psychologists from all specialties, including Forensic, Neuro, Clinical and Educational available from our national register of over 1000 vetted professionals
All Psychologists work to Legal Aid rates
Standard expert witness reports usually supplied within 4-6 weeks
All reports proof-read by our in-house team
Able to meet cultural, language or geographical requirements
Team on hand to book appointments and handle case management
Fast track service for urgent cases

Do you need an expert witness for your Criminal case?

Contact us

Get in touch

Contact us using one of the tabs on the form below, or call us on 01306 879 975 to find out how we can help. Alternatively, click here to request a call back.

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“Deadlines needed to be met and it was extremely useful having the services of a local Psychologist. I would definitely use your service in the future and will recommend you.”

- Steve Harman, Solicitor - Williamsons Solicitors

“I started using PD about six years ago after finding the company on the internet. I found staff to be helpful and informative and their range of experts to be second to none. Enquiries are responded to promptly. Reports are delivered securely and on time. In fact many of my colleagues use PD now. They do take the hard work out of locating relevant available experts.”

- Brent Patterson, Solicitor - Howard Bernstein Solicitors

“I was very grateful for the speed and quality of response from Psychology Direct in identifying suitable experts who could hit tight timeframes. A very helpful service.”

- Tom Battarbee, Solicitor - Swain & Co

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Are you looking for more information? Why not look through our resource centre?Go to Resource Centre

Case studies

20Nov

Delivering a Court report within days

Problems arose during a Fitness to plead assessment and we stepped in to provide a new psychologist.

Complex logistics in a Family Law case

A complex case involving domestic violence, funding issues and tight timescales put our team to the test.

24hr turnaround for the CPS

Our efficient handling of an urgent court ordered report meant we exceeded the CPS's expectations.

FAQs

Does you accept referrals from private individuals?

Unfortunately not, we only work business to business, through solicitors, local authorities, CPS, case management companies and schools. If you are a private individual looking for a psychologist please speak with your solicitor, school, GP or insurer.

If you wish to locate a Psychologist yourself then visit the British Psychological Society’s website at https://www.bps.org.uk/

Will I pay more through you for a Psychologist rather than finding one myself?

Absolutely not! Our service is based on providing excellent value – and added value.

Not only will we secure you an appropriately qualified and experienced Psychologist for your case without all the time and hassle of searching for one yourself, but we’ll handle all administration, bookings and ensure you get the report on time plus you’ll have a dedicated client manager at your beck and call too.

So you get competitive prices and all our extra support at no extra cost, meaning you save yourself time and money.

What is the difference between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist?

This is often an area of confusion. Understanding the difference between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist can be crucial to securing the right professional for your case.

Psychologists are trained in human and emotional development. They use their extensive knowledge of human emotions, behaviour and mental health to assess the problems being experienced by their clients. Based on their expert assessment; conclusions, recommendations and treatment plans will be presented in a report as required. Psychologists use a range of assessment techniques including psychometric testing as well as varied therapeutic models in order to understand and improve the mental health and psychological well-being of clients.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors and as such are qualified to prescribe medication (such as anti-depressants) or in more extreme cases recommend hospitalisation, to help assess and manage the symptoms being experienced by the person concerned.

In some cases, it may not be immediately clear whether a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist is required. A complex case may even require both. Our extensive register of professionals includes both Psychologists and Psychiatrists, and our knowledgeable client team are on hand to give you the advice you need and supply the right type of professional. If you have any questions at all, just give us a call.

Do your Experts work at legal aid rates?

Yes. We are fully aware and understanding of our clients’ budgets, so all our Psychologists work to Legal Aid rates.

We can also supply CVs and quotes for 3 Experts with the full breakdown of hours, as required by the Legal Aid Agency.

I need an Expert Witness. What’s the process?

First of all, contact us! You can call us on 01306 879 975. You can request a call back. You can email us or use our contact form. Once we have your initial contact request, we’ll respond within an hour. One of our Client Managers will take a brief of your requirements, and get to work straight away, using their knowledge of our network of Psychologists and Psychiatrists to get you 3 CVs and quotes within 24 hours. Once an Expert Witness is instructed, bookings for assessments and all other administration required for the case will be managed by us and we will ensure that the report is delivered within your required timescales.