Why MCTS
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.
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
We understand the pressures of family court timescales and the importance of proportionate, reliable expert evidence.
Our expertise
We deliver expert input across a wide range of family court issues:
- Parenting capacity: assessments of ability to meet children’s emotional, physical, and developmental needs.
- Attachment and relationships: evaluation of child–parent attachment, sibling bonds, and impact of separation.
- Trauma and adversity: understanding the effects of abuse, neglect, and domestic violence on children and parents.
- Mental health and psychological functioning: depression, anxiety, personality difficulties, and their impact on parenting.
- Neurodevelopmental needs: Autism, ADHD, and learning differences in children or parents.
- Cognitive and executive functioning: memory, attention, decision-making, and implications for care planning.
- Risk and safeguarding: assessment of self-harm, suicide risk, aggression, and sexually harmful behaviours.
- Capacity and vulnerability: mental capacity assessments relevant to family proceedings.
Our family court assessments are always trauma-informed, evidence-based and focused on practical, realistic recommendations.
Each instruction is proactively case-managed to ensure timely appointments, coordinated information gathering, and court-ready reports with clear, evidence-based recommendations focused on child safety and welfare.
Get in touchFAQs
Yes. All experts have relevant experience and training in family court proceedings and expert witness duties.
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.
What solicitors say about us
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.
Why choose MCTS?
- A multi-disciplinary team specialising in trauma and adversity
- Robust quality assurance process
- Court-ready reports that are clear and easy to understand
- Person-centred, realistic recommendations
- Dedicated case coordinator for every instruction
- Commitment to expert development, training, mentoring and supervision
- Proud to be a Social Enterprise, reinvesting into training and service quality
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.
Contact us via the enquiry form to discuss suitability and next steps.
Get in touchHow it works
Our experts
We work with a multi-disciplinary network of expert witnesses, including:
- Clinical, counselling and forensic psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Independent social workers
- Autism and ADHD diagnosticians
- Speech and language therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Nurses
- Psychotherapists
- Creative therapists
- Therapeutic parenting specialists
If you need an expert, our referrals coordinator will...
- Identify suitable experts
- Provide CVs and availability
- Confirm timescales
- Provide a clear quotation
- Within one working day
This saves you time and ensures the expert is appropriately qualified for the specific questions before the court.
Let us know…
- Type of assessment required
- Court timetable (if known)
- Funding type (Legal Aid / private)
