Expert Evidence
for Family Law
Our chambers prepares CPR Part 35 and FPR Part 25-compliant psychiatric and psychological reports for family law cases, including child arrangements, parental capacity assessments, and Practice Direction 12J matters.
Specialist reports
for family court matters
Our chambers provides expert witness evidence in family law cases, addressing psychiatric and psychological issues that arise in child arrangements, parental capacity disputes, and domestic abuse proceedings.
We prepare family law expert witness reports under FPR Part 25 and Practice Direction 25B, ensuring compliance with the Children Act 1989 and Practice Direction 12J. Our consultants assess parental capacity, risk of harm, and the psychological impact of domestic abuse on children and adults.
Instructions accepted by our chambers include private law disputes, public law care proceedings, and cases involving vulnerable parties where psychiatric or psychological expertise is required to inform the court’s decision-making.
When to instruct
a family court expert witness
Our chambers accepts instructions for family law cases where psychiatric or psychological evidence is required to assess parental capacity, risk of harm, or the impact of domestic abuse on children and families.
Parental capacity assessments
Assessments of a parent’s ability to meet a child’s needs under the Children Act 1989, including cases involving mental health conditions, learning disabilities, or substance misuse.
Child custody expert witness UK
Psychiatric and psychological evaluations in child arrangements disputes, addressing the welfare checklist and the child’s best interests in private and public law proceedings.
Practice Direction 12J matters
Expert evidence on the impact of domestic abuse on children and parents, including allegations of coercive control, physical violence, and emotional harm.
Risk of harm evaluations
Assessments of the risk posed by a parent to a child, including cases involving allegations of neglect, emotional abuse, or exposure to domestic violence.
Psychological impact on children
Evaluations of the psychological effects of parental separation, domestic abuse, or trauma on children, including attachment disorders and developmental delays.
Vulnerable party assessments
Assessments of parents or children with mental health conditions, learning disabilities, or other vulnerabilities that may affect their capacity to participate in proceedings.
Fact-finding hearing support
Expert evidence to assist the court in determining allegations of abuse, including the credibility of witness testimony and the psychological sequelae of trauma.
Post-order welfare reviews
Psychiatric and psychological evaluations following court orders to assess compliance, progress, and ongoing welfare concerns in child arrangements.
Our chambers does not accept instructions for purely financial remedy proceedings or cases where psychiatric or psychological evidence is not material to the court’s decision under FPR Part 25.
Designed for
family law workflows
Our chambers aligns with the procedural requirements of family law cases, including FPR Part 25, Practice Direction 12J, and the timetables set by the family court.
FPR Part 25 compliance
All reports are prepared in accordance with FPR Part 25 and Practice Direction 25B, ensuring they meet the court’s requirements for expert evidence in family proceedings.
Practice Direction 12J alignment
Our experts are familiar with Practice Direction 12J and provide evidence on the impact of domestic abuse on children and parents, including coercive control and emotional harm.
Timetable discipline
We adhere to the court’s timetable for report preparation and submission, with proactive updates on progress and any potential delays.
Joint expert instructions
Our consultants are experienced in acting as joint experts where instructed by the court, facilitating efficient resolution of disputes under FPR Part 25.
Vulnerable party adjustments
We provide adjustments for vulnerable parties, including remote assessments, interpreter support, and capacity-sensitive interviewing where required.
Part 35 questions and meetings
Our experts respond to Part 35 questions and participate in joint expert meetings, ensuring compliance with CPR Part 35 and the Civil Justice Council 2014 Guidance.
Questions from
family law solicitors
Do your experts provide parental capacity assessments?
Yes. Our consultants prepare parental capacity assessments under the Children Act 1989, evaluating a parent’s ability to meet a child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
Can you assess the impact of domestic abuse on children?
Yes. Our experts evaluate the psychological impact of domestic abuse on children, including emotional harm, attachment disorders, and developmental delays, in accordance with Practice Direction 12J.
Are your reports compliant with FPR Part 25?
Yes. All reports are prepared in accordance with FPR Part 25 and Practice Direction 25B, ensuring they meet the court’s requirements for expert evidence in family proceedings.
Do you accept instructions for fact-finding hearings?
Yes. Our chambers accepts instructions to provide expert evidence for fact-finding hearings, including assessments of witness credibility and the psychological sequelae of trauma.
Can your experts act as joint experts?
Yes. Our consultants are experienced in acting as joint experts where instructed by the court, facilitating efficient resolution of disputes under FPR Part 25.
What is the turnaround time for a family law expert witness report?
6–10 weeks. Standard turnaround is 6–10 weeks from receipt of full records and instructions, subject to the complexity of the case and the court’s timetable.