Civil

An established provider of medico-legal assessments, Psychology Associates assures high standards of clinical practice, objectivity, and reliable expert witness resources.

Psychology Associates has a strong record of providing Expert Witness reports in cases of Personal Injury (PI), Clinical Negligence, and general Civil Law. Our broad experience, and access to Psychologists specialising across the lifespan, enables us to provide an expert psychologist whatever the nature of the case. Whilst psychologists may be instructed on behalf of the claimant, defence, or jointly, the quality of our work is always founded upon clear commitment to clinical objectivity. Psychology Associates can offer assessment across a range of legal instructions, though the expertise we have within the Practice lends itself to more complex psychological work, including cases of catastrophic injury and where psychological factors are a significant component of a higher-value claim. Additionally we can provide assessment across the field of civil law, from Mental Capacity assessment to tribunals.

We ensure all Associates working in the field of civil law receive robust and effective supervision, and all written reports are reviewed by a Consultant Associate or Clinical Director before filing. We maintain a strong emphasis on Continuing Professional Development to maintain the delivery of authoritative reports based on best practice. Associates access training specific to the role of being an expert witness, including report-writing protocols, and the professional skills required to give evidence in court.

Psychology Associates has introduced a fixed pricing structure for Personal Injury assessments, giving clarity of anticipated report content from the outset. Additionally, the nature of some claims requires a particularly sophisticated response to referral questions (such as in the case of severe head injury and neuro-disability). In such cases we are able to provide bespoke assessments in order to meet best the needs of the referral question. Our fixed structure reflects the following options:

• Option 1: Medico-Legal Psychology Report

  A concise, evidenced, and clinically/legally robust report, focusing on presenting issues, with review of background factors. Delivers evidence-based opinion of psychological presentation, and consideration of issues of causation and prognosis.

• Option 2: Extended Medico-Legal Psychology Report

  A ‘gold standard’ level report detailing extensive psychometric evidence, the influence of background factors and maintaining variables, indication of consistency of presentation with psychiatric diagnoses (with reference to standard criteria where appropriate), robust clinical psychology formulation, and psychological prognosis.

• Option 3: Clinical Neuropsychology Report

  Employing an extensive assessment of cognitive functioning in addition to the content of an option 4 report, and routine consideration of issues of symptom  validity.

• Assessment of Mental Capacity

  Usually instructed under the Mental Capacity Act, these assessments are frequently requested. Associate Psychologists have a wealth of clinical and medico-legal experience in these complex decision-making tasks, and offer comprehensive reporting.

Psychology Associates maintains a consistently high standard of clinical evidence, formulation, and opinion in the area of Civil Law. We offer a supportive context to Associate Psychologists, and procedures to ensure excellent ‘quality control’ of psychological evidence with a focus on clinical formulation. We believe this sets us apart, offering services that are both respectful to the client, and deliver well evidenced responses to questions at issue. Our breadth of expertise means that we can also, where appropriate, provide therapeutic interventions in Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence cases.