Frequently Asked Questions

We provide expert witness services across multiple forensic disciplines for various legal proceedings:

View our complete range of expert witness services.

Absolutely. All our expert witness reports are fully compliant with Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) Part 35 and include:

• Expert's qualifications, relevant experience, and accreditations
• Clear statement of truth confirming the expert's duty to the court
• Summary of instructions and materials considered
• Detailed methodology and reasoning
• Range of opinion on key issues where appropriate
• Summary of conclusions
• Statement of matters falling outside expertise

Our experts understand their overriding duty to the court takes precedence over any obligation to instructing parties. All reports are independently peer-reviewed before delivery to ensure quality and compliance.

Yes, all our experts are experienced in providing oral testimony and attending court proceedings throughout the UK. Court attendance services include:

• Pre-trial conferences with legal teams
• Attendance at family, criminal, civil, and tribunal hearings
• Expert witness stand testimony and cross-examination
• Joint expert discussions with opposing experts
• Case management conference attendance

We provide comprehensive court preparation support including reviewing case materials, preparing for cross-examination, and liaison with counsel. Court attendance is charged separately at agreed daily or half-daily rates.

Expert witness fees vary depending on the discipline, complexity of the case, and services required. We provide transparent, fixed-fee quotes before you instruct, with no hidden charges.

Typical fee structures include:

• Report Preparation: £1,500 - £5,000 depending on complexity and discipline
• Assessment Attendance: Included in report fee or charged separately for complex cases
• Court Attendance: £1,200 - £2,500 per day
• Case Conferences: £150 - £300 per hour
• Additional Work: Hourly rates typically £150 - £400

We offer:

• Detailed cost estimates before instruction
• Fixed fees for standard reports
• Flexible payment terms for legal aid and private clients
• No obligation quotations

Contact us for a specific quote tailored to your case requirements.

Turnaround times depend on the type of assessment, expert availability, and case complexity:

Factors affecting timescales include:

• Availability of relevant parties for assessment
• Volume and complexity of case materials
• Need for additional information or assessments
• Expert's existing commitments and court dates

We work with you to meet court deadlines and can prioritise urgent instructions where possible. Our case managers provide regular progress updates throughout the process.

Yes, we work extensively with legally aided clients across family, criminal, and immigration law. Many of our experts accept Legal Aid Agency (LAA) rates, though this varies by discipline and expert availability.

For legal aid instructions:

• Please indicate legal aid funding when making your initial enquiry
• We'll identify experts who accept LAA rates for your case type
• Prior authority applications can be supported with expert CVs and fee schedules
• Payment terms can be arranged following grant of legal aid

We understand the importance of access to justice and work flexibly with legal aid practitioners to provide essential expert evidence within available funding.

All experts within our network meet stringent qualification and experience requirements:

• Registered with appropriate professional bodies (e.g., HCPC, GMC, BPS, Law Society)
• Minimum 10 years post-qualification experience in their specialist field
• Extensive experience preparing expert reports for legal proceedings
• Regular CPD and training in expert witness duties
• Professional indemnity insurance cover
• Enhanced DBS checks where appropriate

We conduct thorough vetting of all experts including:

• Verification of qualifications and professional registration
• Assessment of expert witness experience and court performance
• Review of previous reports for quality and compliance
• Reference checks from legal professionals

Expert CVs are provided with all quotations, detailing qualifications, experience, and previous court appearances.

Expert independence is fundamental to the integrity of legal proceedings. We ensure objectivity through:

• Conflict Checks: Comprehensive conflict of interest screening before acceptance of instructions
• CPR Part 35 Training: All experts receive regular training on their duties to the court
• Peer Review: Reports are independently reviewed before delivery
• Professional Standards: Adherence to professional body codes of conduct
• Court-First Approach: Clear understanding that expert duty to court overrides instructing party obligations

Our experts provide balanced, evidence-based opinions and will not act as advocates for either party. Where opinion falls within a range, this is clearly explained with supporting reasoning.

We have never had an expert witness report successfully challenged on grounds of bias or lack of independence.

We welcome queries and requests for clarification. Our post-report support includes:

• Clarification Letters: Expert responses to questions about the report (within scope of original instructions)
• Supplementary Reports: Additional expert opinion on new information or specific questions
• Case Conferences: Telephone or face-to-face meetings with legal teams
• Report Amendments: Corrections of factual errors or typographical mistakes at no charge
• CPR Part 35 Questions: Formal written responses to opposing expert questions

Minor clarifications are typically provided at no additional charge. Substantial additional work (e.g., supplementary reports, extended conferences) is charged at agreed hourly rates.

Our case managers facilitate all communication between instructing solicitors and experts, ensuring queries are addressed promptly and professionally.