Frequently asked questions
Quick answers for solicitors and families. If your question is not here, call or email the office.
What timescales do your experts work to, and can you meet urgent deadlines?
Standard report turnaround is typically 8 weeks from instruction of assessment. Where court or Parole Board directions require expedited evidence, we can often accommodate shorter timeframes depending on expert availability. We review instructions quickly and usually confirm timescales on the same working day.
Do you accept Legal Aid Agency (LAA) funded instructions?
Yes. All our experts routinely accept instructions funded by the Legal Aid Agency at standard hourly rates, as well as privately funded instructions. We provide clear fee estimates, timescales, and CVs formatted for your prior authority applications.
What professional qualifications and registrations do your experts hold?
Every practitioner is fully qualified and registered with their statutory governing body. Our psychologists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and chartered with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Our consultant psychiatrists are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) with specialist registration.
Where do assessments take place?
We take instructions nationally across England and Wales. Assessments can take place in prisons, young offender institutions, secure hospitals and solicitors' offices.
Can you provide online assessments?
Yes. Most of our assessments can be undertaken via online interview if required, or if this is the only available option. At times the type or method of assessment requires face to face interviewing and in such cases our associates can travel to accommodate this need.
Where can your experts travel to?
We have experts located across the UK, and can travel to accommodate the needs of the client or location.
Can your experts attend court or Parole Board hearings to give oral evidence?
Yes. Our experts regularly attend Crown Court, Family Court, County Court, and Parole Board oral hearings to provide clear, reliable oral testimony under examination.
How do we instruct an expert or request a quote?
You can submit your case summary, key issues, and deadline through our website contact form or by email. We will review your requirements and provide CVs, availability, and a full cost estimate usually within one working day.
Are you able to advise on the assessments required?
Yes. Our team of experts are able to provide the necessary guidance on what type of assessment best suits the needs of the client, taking into account the circumstances, history and requirements of the referral.
Do you prepare qualified and independent opinion?
Yes. All our experts work to stringent ethical guidelines. All opinions and conclusions are written from an independent position and therefore defensible in court and Parole Boards as being non-bias assessments.
Still need help? Contact us.