Occupational Health
Psychiatric Witness Reports
Independent psychiatric assessments for workplace mental health claims, prepared by consultant psychiatrists on the GMC Specialist Register in compliance with CPR Part 35 and Equality Act 2010.
The expert evidence
employment tribunals require.
Our chambers prepares employment tribunal psychiatric reports for solicitors acting in workplace mental health claims under the Equality Act 2010. These reports provide independent psychiatric opinion on diagnosis, causation, and prognosis to assist tribunals in determining disability discrimination, unfair dismissal, and personal injury liability.
Members of our chambers hold GMC Specialist Register accreditation, MRCPsych, and regular Single Joint Expert appointments. Our reports comply with Civil Procedure Rules Part 35, Practice Direction 35, and the Civil Justice Council’s 2014 Guidance for the Instruction of Experts, ensuring admissibility in tribunal proceedings.
Three stages where
this report is critical.
Pre-claim assessment
Our chambers accepts instructions at the pre-claim stage to provide an initial workplace psychiatric report. This supports early case evaluation, informs the Letter of Claim, and assists in securing funding under Conditional Fee Agreements or Legal Aid prior authority.
Tribunal directions
The employment tribunal psychiatric report is exchanged under tribunal directions and forms the basis for disability discrimination claims under the Equality Act 2010. Our reports address the statutory definition of disability and the impact of workplace stressors on mental health.
Joint expert meetings
Our experts attend joint expert discussions under CPR 35.12 and prepare joint statements for tribunal hearings. The employment tribunal psychiatric report provides the foundation for oral evidence, ensuring robust responses to cross-examination on diagnosis and causation.
What the report contains,
section by section.
Expert credentials
GMC Specialist Register entry, MRCPsych, Section 12(2) approval, and medico-legal experience profile. The report confirms compliance with CPR 35.3 and the expert’s overriding duty to the tribunal.
Employment history
Chronology of the claimant’s employment, including roles, responsibilities, and workplace stressors. This section establishes the occupational context for the psychiatric assessment under the Equality Act 2010.
Psychiatric history
Pre-morbid mental health, previous diagnoses, and treatment received. This baseline informs the assessment of whether the claimant’s condition meets the statutory definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010.
Mental state examination
Clinical findings from the assessment, including standardised instruments such as the PHQ-9, GAD-7, or work-specific psychometric tools. Diagnosis is made under ICD-11 or DSM-5-TR with clear reasoning.
Causation opinion
Expert opinion on the link between workplace stressors and the claimant’s psychiatric condition. This section addresses material contribution, apportionment, and any alternative explanations for the presentation.
Prognosis & adjustments
Expected course of the condition with and without reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010. This informs the tribunal’s consideration of future loss and the duty to make reasonable adjustments.
Statement of truth
CPR Part 35 declaration of compliance, signed statement of truth, and confirmation of independence. The report concludes with the expert’s acknowledgement of their duty to the tribunal under CPR 35.3.
How the assessment
is conducted.
Our experts follow a transparent, evidence-based methodology to ensure the employment tribunal psychiatric report withstands scrutiny under CPR Part 35 and tribunal cross-examination. Each step is documented to allow the tribunal to trace the reasoning from instruction to opinion.
-
01
Records review
Review of occupational health records, GP notes, mental health treatment records, and workplace documentation. Material entries are identified and referenced in the report to support the expert’s analysis under CPR 35.9.
-
02
Clinical interview
Structured interview focusing on workplace stressors, psychiatric symptoms, and functional impairment. The assessment is trauma-informed and conducted at a pace appropriate to the claimant’s presentation.
-
03
Psychometric tools
Where clinically indicated, standardised instruments such as the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) or the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) are administered. Selection and rationale are documented in the report.
-
04
Disability analysis
Assessment of whether the claimant’s condition meets the statutory definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010. This includes consideration of long-term impairment, substantial adverse effects, and normal day-to-day activities.
-
05
Formulation & opinion
Clinical formulation linking workplace stressors, pre-morbid baseline, and current presentation. The expert’s opinion on diagnosis, causation, and prognosis is clearly reasoned and supported by the evidence reviewed.
Every type of workplace
mental health claim.
Our chambers prepares occupational health expert witness reports for employment tribunals, civil courts, and insurers addressing workplace mental health claims. These reports are accepted in all UK jurisdictions and comply with CPR Part 35 and tribunal procedural rules.
Questions from
solicitors we instruct.
Do your experts have experience in employment tribunal cases?
Yes. Members of our chambers hold regular Single Joint Expert appointments in employment tribunals and are instructed by solicitors acting for both claimants and respondents. Our experts are familiar with tribunal procedural rules and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
Can you provide an employment tribunal psychiatric report quickly?
Yes. We prioritise tribunal-deadline cases and can offer expedited assessments within 2–3 weeks of instruction. Turnaround for standard reports is typically 6–8 weeks from receipt of full records and confirmation of funding.
Do your reports address the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability?
Yes. Our workplace psychiatric reports expressly address whether the claimant’s condition meets the statutory definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010, including long-term impairment, substantial adverse effects, and impact on normal day-to-day activities.
Can your experts assess work-related stress claims?
Yes. Our consultants are experienced in assessing work-related stress claims, including those involving bullying, harassment, and constructive dismissal. Reports address causation, prognosis, and the impact of workplace stressors on mental health under CPR Part 35.
Are your reports compliant with CPR Part 35?
Yes. All employment tribunal psychiatric reports prepared by our chambers comply with Civil Procedure Rules Part 35, Practice Direction 35, and the Civil Justice Council’s 2014 Guidance for the Instruction of Experts. Reports are independent, impartial, and suitable for tribunal use.
Can you provide a workplace psychiatric report for a group claim?
Yes. Our chambers coordinates occupational health expert witness reports for group litigation, including claims involving multiple claimants or complex workplace environments. We ensure consistency across reports while maintaining individualised assessments.
Need an expert for your
employment tribunal case?
Send a brief case summary — claimant details, workplace issues, tribunal deadline, and funding status — and our chambers will confirm expert availability and timescales within one working day.