National Referral Mechanism (NRM)
Expert Witness Reports
Our chambers prepares CPR Part 35-compliant trafficking expert reports for the National Referral Mechanism, addressing victim identification, psychological sequelae, and eligibility under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Reports are addressed to the court, detail clinical methodology, and include a signed statement of truth.
The expert evidence
for NRM decisions.
Our chambers prepares nrm expert reports for potential victims of modern slavery, assessing psychological harm, credibility of disclosure, and eligibility for protection under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Reports are commissioned by solicitors acting in civil claims, immigration appeals, and criminal proceedings.
The report addresses the statutory threshold for reasonable grounds and conclusive grounds decisions, aligning clinical findings with the Home Office’s Competent Authority guidance. Our experts hold GMC Specialist Register or HCPC registration, ensuring compliance with CPR Part 35 and the Civil Justice Council’s 2014 Guidance.
Key stages where
this report is required.
NRM reasonable grounds
Our chambers accepts instructions at the initial referral stage, providing a trafficking expert report to support the reasonable grounds decision under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The report addresses psychological indicators of exploitation and aligns with the Competent Authority’s guidance.
Conclusive grounds decision
For the conclusive grounds stage, our experts prepare detailed slavery victim assessment reports, addressing the balance of probabilities threshold. Reports include clinical findings, trauma history, and an opinion on whether the claimant meets the statutory definition of a victim of modern slavery.
Immigration & asylum appeals
Instructions accepted by our chambers include appeals before the First-tier Tribunal, where the nrm expert report addresses credibility, psychological harm, and the risk of re-trafficking. Reports comply with the Immigration Tribunal’s expert evidence Practice Direction and KV (Sri Lanka) guidance.
What the report contains,
section by section.
Expert qualifications & instruction
GMC or HCPC registration, Specialist Register status, MRCPsych or BPS Chartered membership, and the expert’s medico-legal experience. The instruction letter, questions posed, and documents reviewed are listed in compliance with CPR 35.10.
Claimant’s account of exploitation
The claimant’s narrative of trafficking, recorded verbatim where possible, with clinical observations on consistency, emotional presentation, and trauma-related disclosure patterns. Aligns with the Istanbul Protocol’s guidance on interviewing vulnerable witnesses.
Psychiatric history & records review
Review of GP, hospital, and mental health records, identifying pre-morbid functioning, trauma exposure, and psychological sequelae. Material entries are cross-referenced with the claimant’s account and clinical findings.
Mental state examination
Clinical examination conducted at assessment, including standardised instruments such as the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire or PCL-5 where clinically indicated. Findings are reported under ICD-11 or DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria.
Opinion on trafficking indicators
The expert’s reasoned opinion on whether the claimant’s presentation is consistent with trafficking, addressing psychological indicators such as complex PTSD, dissociation, and trauma-related cognitive impairment. Aligns with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 eligibility criteria.
Risk assessment & prognosis
Assessment of future risk, including re-trafficking, psychological deterioration, and treatment needs. Prognosis is stated with and without intervention, supporting submissions on protection and support under the NRM.
Declaration & statement of truth
CPR Part 35 declaration of compliance, signed statement of truth, and acknowledgement of the expert’s overriding duty to the court under CPR 35.3. The report is addressed to the court, not the instructing party.
How the assessment
is conducted.
Our members conduct assessments in compliance with CPR Part 35, Practice Direction 35, and the Civil Justice Council’s 2014 Guidance. Each step is documented transparently, ensuring the report withstands scrutiny at joint expert discussions and cross-examination.
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01
Records collation & review
Full review of GP, hospital, mental health, and social services records. Material entries are identified and cross-referenced with the claimant’s account, supporting the clinical formulation and opinion on trafficking indicators.
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02
Trauma-informed clinical interview
Structured interview conducted at a pace and venue appropriate to the claimant’s needs, typically lasting 3–4 hours. Breaks are offered, and disclosure is recorded verbatim where possible, aligning with the Istanbul Protocol.
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03
Standardised psychological instruments
Where clinically indicated, instruments such as the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, PCL-5, or IES-R are administered. Selection and rationale are documented in the report, supporting the diagnostic and risk assessment findings.
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04
Credibility & consistency analysis
Clinical observations on the claimant’s emotional presentation, consistency of disclosure, and trauma-related memory fragmentation. The expert addresses psychological indicators of trafficking without opining on ultimate credibility, which remains a matter for the court.
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05
Formulation & reasoned opinion
The clinical formulation links the claimant’s history, psychological presentation, and trafficking indicators. The reasoned opinion addresses eligibility under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and aligns with the Competent Authority’s guidance.
Every procedural route
requiring NRM evidence.
Our chambers accepts instructions for nrm expert reports across civil, criminal, immigration, and public law proceedings. Reports are tailored to the statutory scheme, court, or tribunal’s evidential requirements.
Questions from
solicitors we work with.
Do your experts assess both adult and child victims of trafficking?
Yes. Members of our chambers include consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists with experience assessing minors under the NRM. Reports address the child’s best interests, safeguarding needs, and the statutory threshold for reasonable and conclusive grounds decisions.
Are your nrm expert reports accepted by the Home Office Competent Authority?
Yes. Our reports comply with the Competent Authority’s guidance on expert evidence, addressing psychological indicators of trafficking and the statutory eligibility criteria. Reports are routinely relied upon in reasonable and conclusive grounds decisions.
Can the report address both NRM eligibility and civil damages claims?
Both. The same report can address NRM eligibility under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and support a civil claim for damages, provided the expert’s opinion covers both statutory schemes. Separate reports are issued where the evidential focus differs.
What is the typical turnaround for a trafficking expert report?
6–8 weeks. From receipt of full records, the assessment is typically offered within 4–6 weeks, and the report delivered within 2–3 weeks of assessment. Urgent cases are prioritised, with expedited timetables agreed at intake.
Do your experts attend joint expert discussions in NRM cases?
Yes. Attendance at joint expert discussions under CPR 35.12 and preparation of the joint statement are within the standard scope of instruction. Our experts also respond to Part 35 questions under CPR 35.6.
Are remote assessments suitable for modern slavery expert reports?
Where clinically appropriate. Secure video assessment is accepted by courts and tribunals where the expert considers it suitable. For complex trauma presentations or cases involving capacity issues, we recommend in-person assessment to ensure robust clinical findings.
Need an expert for your
modern slavery case?
Send a brief case summary — claimant details, procedural stage, and any time-critical deadlines — and our chambers will confirm availability, scope, and timescales within one working day.