Psychiatric and psychological reports for the criminal courts
Independent reports for criminal proceedings, including fitness to plead, mental state at the time of an offence and risk, prepared by forensic specialists to Criminal Procedure Rules Part 19 standards.
Criminal proceedings often turn on a defendant's mental state, either at the time of an offence or at the time of trial. Expert Medical arranges independent psychiatric and psychological reports for the criminal courts, prepared by forensic specialists, many of them Section 12 approved under the Mental Health Act 1983.
The right forensic specialist
Reports are prepared by forensic psychiatrists and forensic psychologists experienced in the criminal courts, matched to the specific question the court or the instructing party has raised.
Fitness and mental state
We arrange assessments of fitness to plead, of mental state at the time of the alleged offence, and of any psychiatric condition relevant to the defence or to sentencing, set out for the court to weigh.
Prepared to Part 19
Reports are written to meet the duties of an expert under Criminal Procedure Rules Part 19 and the accompanying practice direction, including the expert's declaration and duty to the court.
Independent psychiatric evidence for the criminal courts
The court needs a clear, independent account of a defendant's mental health, not an argument for one side. Our reports set out the clinical picture and the expert's reasoned opinion, and leave the decision to the court.
- Fitness to plead and stand trial
- Mental state at the time of the alleged offence
- Diminished responsibility in homicide cases
- Insanity and automatism issues
- Psychiatric mitigation for sentencing
- Risk assessments where the court requires them
- Assessments of vulnerability and intermediary need
- Reports for the Court of Appeal where instructed
- Oral evidence at court where required
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Whether you have a single instruction or a high-volume caseload, our team is ready to help. Call us directly or send an enquiry and we’ll respond within 24 hours.