ABE interview
Critique Reports
Our chambers prepares independent expert critiques of Achieving Best Evidence interviews for criminal, family, and civil proceedings. Reports assess compliance with Home Office 2022 guidance, identify suggestive or leading questioning, and evaluate the reliability of disclosures under CPR Part 35 and Practice Direction 35.
Expert critique of police
interview evidence.
Our chambers accepts instructions to review Achieving Best Evidence interviews conducted with children and vulnerable adults. Reports identify procedural deviations, assess the impact of leading or suggestive questioning, and evaluate the reliability of disclosures for use in court.
Members of our chambers hold GMC Specialist Register or HCPC registration, with expertise in forensic psychiatry, clinical psychology, and child mental health. Critiques are prepared in compliance with CPR Part 35, Practice Direction 35, and the Civil Justice Council’s 2014 Guidance for the Instruction of Experts.
Three stages where an
abe interview expert is critical.
Pre-trial disclosure
Defence teams instruct an abe interview expert to assess the reliability of disclosures before trial. Critiques identify procedural non-compliance with Home Office 2022 guidance, which may form the basis for applications to exclude evidence under PACE 1984.
Family proceedings
Local authorities and parents commission critiques in care proceedings under FPR 25. Reports evaluate the weight that should be attached to ABE interviews when determining threshold criteria under Children Act 1989, s.31.
Civil compensation claims
Claimant and defendant solicitors instruct achieving best evidence review reports to assess the reliability of disclosures in historic abuse claims, particularly where limitation is in issue under Limitation Act 1980, s.33.
What the critique
covers, section by section.
Expert credentials
GMC Specialist Register or HCPC registration, relevant postgraduate qualifications, and medico-legal experience in ABE interview critique. Declaration of independence under CPR 35.3.
Interview context
Date, location, duration, and personnel present during the ABE interview. Assessment of whether the setting complied with Home Office 2022 guidance on minimising distress.
Questioning technique
Analysis of open, closed, leading, and suggestive questions. Identification of instances where the interviewer’s language may have influenced the interviewee’s responses.
Interviewee vulnerabilities
Assessment of the interviewee’s cognitive, emotional, and developmental capacity at the time of the interview, with reference to clinical records where available.
Reliability of disclosures
Evaluation of the consistency, coherence, and plausibility of disclosures, with reference to psychological research on memory and suggestibility in children and vulnerable adults.
Compliance with guidance
Assessment of adherence to Home Office 2022 Achieving Best Evidence guidance, including preparation, rapport-building, and the use of intermediaries where applicable.
Expert opinion
Reasoned conclusion on the reliability of the interview as evidence, with clear identification of any limitations in the critique. Statement of truth under CPR Part 35.
How the critique
is conducted.
Our experts follow a transparent methodology to ensure the critique withstands scrutiny under CPR Part 35. Each step is documented in the report, allowing the court to trace the reasoning from instruction to opinion.
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01
Instruction review
Clarification of the instructing party’s questions, the procedural stage, and any specific concerns raised about the ABE interview. Confirmation of the expert’s independence under CPR 35.3.
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02
Audio-visual analysis
Frame-by-frame review of the ABE interview recording, with verbatim transcription of key exchanges. Assessment of non-verbal cues and interviewer-interviewee dynamics.
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03
Guidance benchmarking
Comparison of the interview against Home Office 2022 Achieving Best Evidence guidance, including preparation, questioning techniques, and use of intermediaries.
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04
Psychological research
Application of peer-reviewed research on memory, suggestibility, and child development to evaluate the reliability of disclosures. Reference to DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 where relevant.
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05
Drafting & declaration
Preparation of the report in compliance with Practice Direction 35, including the expert’s declaration of independence and statement of truth under CPR Part 35.
Proceedings where an
interview critique expert witness is required.
Our chambers accepts instructions for ABE interview critiques across criminal, family, and civil jurisdictions. Reports are prepared in compliance with the procedural rules governing each forum.
Questions from
solicitors we work with.
Can an abe interview expert critique interviews with adults?
Yes. Our experts assess interviews conducted with adults, particularly those with cognitive impairments, mental health conditions, or communication difficulties. Critiques evaluate compliance with Home Office 2022 guidance and the reliability of disclosures under CPR Part 35.
How quickly can an achieving best evidence review be completed?
3–6 weeks. Turnaround depends on the length of the interview and complexity of the issues. Expedited reports are available for court deadlines, with a same-week assessment offered where clinically appropriate.
Do your experts attend joint expert discussions?
Yes. Attendance at joint discussions under CPR 35.12 and preparation of the joint statement are included in the instruction. Our experts are experienced in reconciling differences with opposing experts while maintaining independence.
Can a police interview expert witness give oral evidence?
Yes. Our experts are available to give oral evidence in person or via secure video link. Trial attendance is confirmed at instruction and included in the fee estimate.
Are your reports accepted by the CICA?
Yes. Our achieving best evidence review reports are prepared in compliance with CICA’s evidential requirements. They are routinely relied upon in applications for compensation under the 2012 Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
Can you critique interviews conducted abroad?
Yes. Our experts assess interviews conducted under foreign jurisdictions, comparing them against UK Home Office 2022 guidance or equivalent international standards where applicable.
Need an abe interview expert
for your case?
Send the interview recording, procedural stage, and any specific concerns. Our chambers will confirm availability, scope, and timescales within one working day.