Need an expert?
For our full list of expert witnesses, browse our expert witness directory. Or, contact us and our referrals co-ordinator will send you CVs of suitable experts, timelines, and a quotation.
Family court
Independent trauma‑informed assessments supporting safe, child‑focused family decisions.
Family Court
Criminal cases
Specialist insights clarifying psychological impact within complex criminal proceedings.
Criminal Proceedings
We have a wide range of experts for child, adult and family assessments:
- Psychologists (clinical, counselling and forensic)
- Psychiatrists
- Social workers
- Autism and ADHD diagnosticians
- Speech and language therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Nurses
- Psychotherapists
- Creative therapists
- Therapeutic parenting specialists
and more…
Why choose us?
- Quality assurance process
- Average of 6-8 weeks completion time
- We accept legal aid rates
- Allocated case co-ordinator
- Reports are court ready and easy to understand
- Multidisciplinary team specialising in trauma and adversity
- Person-centred, realistic recommendations
- Commitment to expert’s development, training, mentoring and supervision
- Proud to be a Social Enterprise
Our expertise
We provide expert witness assessments across a broad spectrum of legal contexts, combining clinical depth with court‑ready clarity:
- Child, adult, and family assessments – parenting capacity, attachment, trauma impact
- Mental health and psychological functioning – depression, anxiety, PTSD, personality disorder
- Complex and developmental trauma – understanding adversity and its long‑term effects
- Attachment and parenting – child–parent relationships, sibling bonds, care planning
- Neurodevelopmental assessments – Autism, ADHD, and learning differences
- Cognitive and executive functioning – memory, attention, decision‑making
- Mental capacity – litigation capacity, fitness to plead, functional capacity evaluations
- Risk and safeguarding – self‑harm, suicide, aggression, sexually harmful behaviour
- Psychiatric injury and clinical negligence – causation analysis, prognosis, treatment needs
- Offending behaviour and forensic risk – violence, sexual harm, reoffending risk
- Chronic pain and functional disorders – psychological formulation and prognosis
Every assessment is trauma‑informed, evidence‑based, and tailored to the specific legal questions, whether for family proceedings, civil litigation, or criminal cases.
Expert witness assessments for family court
Trusted, trauma-informed expert witness family court assessments to support safe, child-focused decisions.
At MCTS, we provide high-quality, CPR-compliant independent expert witness family court assessments for proceedings across England and Wales.
Our family court assessments support the court to understand children, parents and families within the context of trauma, adversity and neurodevelopmental difference, helping to inform fair, proportionate and child-focused decisions.
We are a social enterprise with a national network of carefully vetted expert witnesses, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and allied health professionals.
Every assessment is matched thoughtfully, completed efficiently, and quality-assured to meet the expectations of the family courts.
Trusted psychologist assessments for family court
Our expert witnesses are experienced professionals with significant backgrounds in family court work, complex cases and expert evidence.
We understand the pressures of family court timescales and the importance of proportionate, reliable expert evidence.
All experts:
- Are HCPC, GMC, NMC or Social Work England registered (as applicable)
- Have specialist training and experience relevant to family proceedings
- Understand the duties and responsibilities of an expert witness
- Produce clear, court-ready reports that are accessible to judges and advocates
Our experience at a glance
- Expert witness family court assessments completed across private and public law proceedings
- Regularly instructed by solicitors, local authorities and guardians
- Experienced in both Legal Aid and privately funded cases
- Nationwide coverage
“MCTS is a great partner – providing high quality, clearly written, and timely forensic and clinical assessments. The team is approachable, helpful and collaborative. Assessments are comprehensive."
Senior Social Worker
Expert witness FAQs
Yes. All experts have relevant experience and training in expert witness duties, including family, medico legal and criminal court proceedings.
Yes – experts understand their duties to the court and produce CPR‑compliant reports with clear, evidence‑based opinions.
Yes, we regularly accept Legal Aid Agency rates.
Most assessments are completed within 6–8 weeks, depending on complexity and availability. Shorter timescales are available.
Yes, we work across both private and public law proceedings.
Absolutely. Our referrals coordinator will match your case with suitably qualified experts and provide CVs and timelines.
Yes. Unlike many Expert Witness services, we accept self-referrals and litigants in person. If you are a parent or individual funding your own expert assessment, we can still help.
Please note that self-funded assessments must still meet the requirements of the family court, and we recommend discussing this with your solicitor. Contact us to discuss suitability and next steps.
Email us for a free 20-minute consultation with a clinician.
Rates
Our fees are clear, proportionate and competitive.
- We accept Legal Aid Agency rates
- Private fees vary depending on the type and complexity of the assessment
- A full written quotation is provided before instruction
- No hidden costs
- As part of our social enterprise commitment, we offer an option to spread the cost over several months with Klarna.
“My point of contact, Kate, responded promptly and courteously to all my enquiries. I received a professional and well-prepared expert report within the promised timeframe and at a competitive price."
Litigant in Person
Self-funding an assessment?
If you are a parent or individual funding your own expert assessment, we can still help.
Please note that self-funded assessments must still meet the requirements of the family court, and we recommend discussing this with your solicitor.
