Family Court — Private Law
Expert psychiatric and psychological reports for Children Act 1989 s.8 proceedings — child arrangements, prohibited steps, specific issue and PD12J fact-finding on allegations of domestic abuse. FPR 25 compliant, delivered on court-driven timetables.
Reports, issues and procedure.
A focused overview of the instructions we see most often in private law Children Act proceedings.
Typical instructions
Child arrangements disputes, prohibited steps orders, specific issue orders, relocation cases, and PD12J fact-finding hearings on allegations of domestic abuse or coercive control.
Report types
Parental capacity assessments, psychiatric reports on parties, psychological assessments of children, addiction and mental-health screening, and assessments of the impact of domestic abuse.
Legal framework
Children Act 1989 s.1 welfare checklist, FPR Part 25, Practice Direction 12J, Re L (Relocation), and Re H-N and Others [2021] EWCA Civ 448 on domestic abuse fact-finding.
Turnaround
Expert allocated within 48 hours. Assessment offered in four to six weeks. Expedited timetables on request for listed hearings and s.37 / s.7 report deadlines.
Parties, children and professionals.
Our panel is instructed to assess any party to the proceedings where psychiatric or psychological evidence is relevant to the s.1 welfare checklist.
Mental-health assessment, risk formulation, capacity to parent, and the psychiatric impact of domestic abuse where alleged.
Age-appropriate psychological assessment in line with BPS and RCPsych guidance, including wishes-and-feelings work where directed.
Grandparents, step-parents and prospective carers in private law kinship and special guardianship cases.
Single joint expert instruction under FPR 25.11 — balanced letter of instruction and joint agreed questions.
The statutes, rules and cases we work within.
Private law instructions — quick answers.
How quickly can you confirm an expert for a PD12J fact-finding hearing?
Most fact-finding instructions are triaged within the hour and a named consultant is confirmed the same working day — including CV, Part 25 declaration and conflict check. Short-notice listings are routinely accommodated.
Do you provide single joint expert reports?
Yes, on an FPR 25.11 basis. The letter of instruction is reviewed for clear questions and jointly agreed scope before acceptance, with the impartiality duties of the role foregrounded throughout.
Can you assess children as well as parents?
Yes. Our panel includes consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists and chartered child psychologists, with assessments conducted in accordance with RCPsych and BPS guidance on working with children in court proceedings.
Do you accept LAA rates?
Yes, where prior authority has been granted. We can provide draft scope and costings to support Prior Authority applications before work commences.
Can the claimant request a male or female expert?
Yes, as a matter of course. Preference is noted at intake and allocation adjusted accordingly without affecting the timetable — particularly important in domestic abuse and coercive control cases.
Need a private law expert today?
Send a brief case summary. We respond within minutes and confirm expert, scope and timetable the same working day.