We provide high quality assessment reports and give evidence in Parole Board hearings, the Crown Court, Youth Court, Appeal Court, High Court and Immigration Tribunals.

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We have longstanding professional relationships with a number of leading legal practices but we are always happy to receive instruction from new solicitors. 

Most of our expert witness work is funded via Legal Aid and in these cases we adhere to the Legal Aid Agency guidelines in terms of costs and timescales. However, we also accept privately funded cases via a solicitor. Louise and Emma are always available for case consultation with solicitors prior to instruction.

When interviewing clients, we place great emphasis on building a trusting relationship so that they can engage effectively in the assessment.

 

We take a holistic approach to our assessments and consider all aspects of the interviewee's psycho-social functioning (eg mental health issues, personality traits, cognitive problems, neurodevelopmental conditions, substance mis-use difficulties) that might be impacting on their presentation and risk.

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When instructed to assess children and young people, we work collaboratively with parents/ carers (where appropriate) to ensure that their views are heard and developmental issues are taken into account.

 

In keeping with current research and best practice guidelines, when carrying out risk assessments, we also consider the individual's strengths and protective factors. We provide reports that contain both a clinical and risk formulation to assist the court/ tribunal in understanding the risk and needs of the individual before them.

 

Our reports are accessible, rigorous and evidence-based, and we are able to translate this into clear, confident and objective oral evidence, if required.

 

We provide assessments for adults, children and young people in the following areas: 

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• capacity to effectively participate in the criminal justice process (fitness to plead and stand trial) 

• to assist with sentencing (including assessment of dangerousness)

• risk of violent offending, sexual offending and fire-setting (custodial and community settings) 

• treatment/ intervention needs

• strengths and protective factors 

• mental health

• trauma  

• personality functioning

• psychopathy

• cognitive functioning

• neuro-developmental disorders (eg ADHD, ASD)

• substance misuse difficulties 

• suggestibility and compliance 

• resettlement needs 

• the impact of withdrawing anonymity (for children) at sentence or at the age of 18

 

Additionally, we can provide assessments of children who have engaged in harmful behaviour but who are under the age of criminal responsibility.