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Providing experienced Psychiatric expert witnesses for Family Law cases nationwide
All our Experts work at Legal Aid rates, for publicly funded cases.
Family Law cases, by their very nature are sensitive, complex and can have a major impact on all involved, particularly children. Where family relationships have broken down, where violence or abuse may be occurring, time is of the absolute essence in assessing and understanding the Psychiatric state of family members. Everyone involved in the case will be focused on achieving the right outcome for all involved, especially children and vulnerable people.
Often in order to do this, the Expert Testimony of a qualified medical professional is required. Psychiatric assessment can give an insight into behaviours and of the impact of events or trauma, diagnosing mental health disorders and recommending medical treatments. This may also necessitate a review of medical notes and histories.
In an already stressful case, having to find and secure an available qualified Psychiatrist, carry out all the necessary checks and make assessment arrangements, can just add to the stress for Local Authority legal teams, Family Solicitors or Social Workers.
At Psychiatry Direct, we can take this element of the stress away, by reaching out to our extensive network of GMC-registered, pre-vetted Psychiatrists, and supplying one in your location able to meet the deadline required by the court and who will work at Legal Aid rates.
In addition to providing the Psychiatrist you need, we’ll act as your support throughout the case; booking all the assessments, even in challenging and difficult circumstances. We’ll handle all queries and administration and take responsibility for the timely delivery of thorough, clear, 100% quality checked Psychiatric Medico-Legal reports. You’ll find our friendly team helpful, proactive and understanding, willing to provide whatever support you need.
Our Family Law Psychiatric Expert Witness Services include:
- Care / Contact proceedings
- Whole family assessments
- Sexual abuse and risk
- Domestic violence
- Ability to protect
- Neglect
- Substance misuse
- Capacity assessments
- Personality disorders
- Effects of trauma & PTSD
Are you looking for more information?
Why not look through our resource centre?
Psychiatry Direct – A dedicated, professional service
- 3 CVs and quotations within 24 hours
- Large register of Psychiatrists with expertise and experience in the most complex and challenging
- Family Law cases
- All Psychiatrists are GMC registered and Section 12 approved
- Psychiatrists provide expert medical opinion and diagnosis based on the internationally recognised ICD-10 (Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders) and DSM – 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
- All Psychiatrists work to Legal Aid rates
- Standard reports supplied quickly – usually within 4-6 weeks
- Fast track service available for more urgent deadlines
- All reports quality-checked
- Able to meet cultural, language or geographical requirements
- Team on hand to book appointments and handle case management
- Work within the 26-week pre-proceedings timetable
Do you need a Psychiatrist as an Expert Witness for your Family Law case?
Need a Psychologist?
Did you know that we also offer Psychologist services?Our fully-vetted Psychologists are qualified to provide detailed, medically-based analysis and assessment of a person’s state of mind or mental health.
Can’t find the answer to your question?
Read about how we’ve helped others
Court helped decide in Care Proceedings
A court was able to make an informed decision on a mother's ability to parent thanks to a psychiatric assessment
Read More ➔
Psychiatrist helps assess potential carers
Court has to consider who is best placed to care for children and needed a Psychiatric assessment
Read More ➔
Assessing Parental Access in Care Proceedings
In the sensitive realm of care proceedings, decisions about parental access are crucial.
Read More ➔Why Psychiatry Direct?
Experienced
15-year track record in delivering outstanding service to our clients.
Knowledgeable
We know our professionals and we understand what clients need.
Efficient
Reports supplied on time, efficient administration and fast timescales.
Cost effective
Fees the same or lower than approaching an Expert directly.
Well networked
Over 1000 Experts available rapidly, across the UK.
Personable
Dedicated Client Manager allocated for the duration of your case.
Proactive
We’ll provide all the support you need to make your job easier.
Ethical
Respect and understanding in everything we do.
Your questions answered
Psychiatry Direct has a register of 1000 plus professional Psychologists and Psychiatrists who have been through our robust vetting process. We have a dedicated team of Client Managers in place to take a full briefing on the case, handle all queries, administration, assessment bookings and take responsibility for ensuring reports are supplied to an excellent standard, on time. Our service to you is to work on your behalf, save you time, and give you the peace of mind that the whole process will go smoothly.
In rare cases, if necessary, our Client Managers can ask for the expert’s permission to release their contact details to you if deemed appropriate.
The vast majority of our Psychiatrists are Section 12 approved. If this is a stipulation, your Client Manager will ensure one is assigned to your case.
We vett all of our Psychiatrists prior to registration and only accept applications from psychologists who are registered with the GMC. We also ask that they provide an anonymous copy of a previous report for us to check, before we give them their first instruction. In addition to this all reports are quality checked by our Client Management team prior to being released to you.
CLICK HERE for details of our Quality Assurance processes
Finally, we constantly monitor the performance of our Psychiatrists in terms of their ability to adhere to agreed fees & deadlines as we appreciate that these are also very important.
Absolutely not! Our service is based on providing excellent value – and added value. Not only will you secure an appropriately qualified and skilled Expert Witness 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 and have a dedicated manager at your beck and call too. You won’t pay any extra for this service than you would by going direct to a professional and all our Psychiatrists work to Legal Aid rates for your peace of mind.
Unfortunately, we only work business to business, through solicitors, local authorities and other agencies involved in legal proceedings such as the CPS or Courts. If you are a private individual looking for a psychiatrist, please speak with your GP.
All reports are the responsibility of our team of Client Managers. Not only will they ensure they are delivered to the timescales needed, but all reports will be 100% proofread and quality checked to ensure all questions are answered and addressed, that the report fulfils the purpose needed and that any recommendations are comprehensive and clear.
CLICK HERE for details of our Quality Assurance processes
Yes. We are fully aware and understanding of our clients’ budgets, so all our Psychiatrists 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.