Speech & Language Therapist
Our chambers prepares CPR Part 35-compliant speech and language therapist expert witness reports for personal injury, clinical negligence, family proceedings, and Court of Protection cases. Members of our chambers assess communication disorders, swallowing impairments, and cognitive-communication deficits following acquired brain injury or developmental conditions.
Medico-Legal Speech Therapy Reports
Our chambers prepares speech and language therapist expert witness reports for claimants, defendants, and joint instructions in personal injury, clinical negligence, and family proceedings. Members of our chambers assess communication disorders, swallowing impairments, and cognitive-communication deficits following acquired brain injury, stroke, or developmental conditions, adhering to CPR Part 35 and Practice Direction 35.
We accept instructions under Civil Procedure Rules, Family Procedure Rules 25, and Court of Protection practice directions. Our reports provide impartial, evidence-based opinions on diagnosis, prognosis, and recommended interventions, supported by standardised assessment tools and clinical guidelines from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Assessment Areas for Speech Therapy Reports
Our experts evaluate communication and swallowing disorders using evidence-based tools.
How We Prepare Speech Therapy Reports
-
01
Instruction & Document Review
Our chambers accepts instructions via solicitor letter of instruction outlining the case background, issues in dispute, and specific questions for the expert. Members review medical records, therapy notes, and educational reports to identify key clinical findings and gaps requiring assessment under CPR 35.3.
-
02
Clinical Assessment
Our experts conduct face-to-face or remote assessments using standardised tools such as the Western Aphasia Battery, Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale, and Communication Checklist. Assessments evaluate speech, language, cognition, and swallowing function, with findings recorded in accordance with Practice Direction 35.
-
03
Report Preparation
Our reports follow CPR Part 35 structure, including expert declaration, methodology, findings, and opinion on causation and prognosis. Members of our chambers provide clear, jargon-free explanations of communication impairments and their impact on daily living, education, and employment, supported by clinical guidelines.
-
04
Joint Expert Meetings
We prepare for and attend joint expert meetings under CPR 35.12 to discuss areas of agreement and disagreement with opposing experts. Our consultants provide written responses to Part 35 questions within 28 days, ensuring compliance with Civil Justice Council 2014 Guidance on expert evidence.
Individuals Assessed by Our Experts
Paediatric Claimants
Our chambers assesses children with developmental language disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and speech sound disorders for personal injury and family proceedings under Children Act 1989 and FPR 25.
Adult Brain Injury Survivors
Members of our chambers evaluate adults with aphasia, dysarthria, and cognitive-communication deficits following traumatic brain injury or stroke for clinical negligence and personal injury claims.
Court of Protection Cases
We prepare capacity assessments under Mental Capacity Act 2005 for individuals with communication impairments, addressing best interests decisions on residence, care, and medical treatment.
Employment Tribunals
Our experts assess claimants with communication disorders in disability discrimination cases under Equality Act 2010, evaluating reasonable adjustments and occupational impact.
Family Proceedings
Instructions accepted by our chambers include child communication assessments for care proceedings under FPR 25, addressing parental capacity and child welfare concerns.
Clinical Negligence Claims
Our reports evaluate delayed diagnosis of communication disorders and substandard therapy provision, applying Bolam/Bolitho standards to determine breach of duty.
FAQs
Do your speech and language therapist expert witness reports comply with CPR Part 35?
Yes. Our reports adhere to Civil Procedure Rules Part 35, Practice Direction 35, and Civil Justice Council 2014 Guidance. Members of our chambers include an expert declaration, methodology, findings, and opinion sections, ensuring impartiality and transparency in accordance with CPR 35.3.
Can your experts assess both children and adults?
Yes. Our chambers includes paediatric and adult specialists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. We assess developmental communication disorders in children and acquired impairments in adults, tailoring assessment tools to each age group.
What types of cases do your speech therapy experts accept?
Both. Instructions accepted by our chambers include personal injury, clinical negligence, family proceedings under FPR 25, Court of Protection under MCA 2005, and employment tribunals under Equality Act 2010. We also prepare reports for CICA claims and institutional redress schemes.
How quickly can you provide a speech and language expert witness report?
Within 4-6 weeks. Our chambers provides initial quotes within 48 hours and completes reports within 4-6 weeks of instruction, depending on case complexity and document volume. Urgent instructions are accommodated where possible, subject to expert availability.
Do your experts attend joint expert meetings?
Yes. Members of our chambers attend joint expert meetings under CPR 35.12 to discuss areas of agreement and disagreement. We prepare written responses to Part 35 questions within 28 days, as required by procedural rules.
What assessment tools do your experts use?
Standardised tools. Our consultants use evidence-based assessments including the Western Aphasia Battery, Communication Checklist, Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale, and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Tools are selected based on clinical guidelines from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Can your experts assess swallowing disorders?
Yes. Our chambers includes dysphagia specialists who assess swallowing impairments using clinical bedside evaluations and instrumental assessments such as videofluoroscopy. Reports address safety, aspiration risk, and recommended dietary modifications.
Are your speech therapy experts registered with the HCPC?
Yes. All members of our chambers are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council as Speech and Language Therapists. We verify current registration status before accepting instructions to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Need an expert for your
speech therapy case?
Contact our chambers to instruct a speech and language therapist expert witness for CPR Part 35-compliant reports.