Court reports
Clinical psychologist expert witness reports
Independent psychological and forensic assessments for the courts, prepared by HCPC-registered clinical and forensic psychologists. We have written more than 100 reports and given oral evidence many times, most often in criminal and extradition proceedings.
What judges and barristers say
“I accept the evidence of Dr Suesse cannot be ignored, she was an impressive expert witness, she had clear concerns over the RP’s mental health and suicide risk.”
“I first instructed Mareike in a case where I represented a vulnerable pregnant woman facing a sentence of immediate custody for conveying drugs into prison. Her evidence was instrumental in securing a rare suspended sentence in that case. Since then, she has become my go-to […] psychologist for any case involving a vulnerable defendant. Her reports are always extremely thorough and have been indispensable in court on many occasions.”
Psychological assessments we provide for the courts
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Mental health, including suicide and self-harm risk
- Suggestibility and interrogative vulnerability
- Vulnerability and support needs
- Cognitive and IQ assessment
- Screening for autism and ADHD
- Understanding offending behaviour
- Risk, including the HCR-20 and RSVP
- All types of specialist forensic psychological assessment, including personality, psychopathy, firesetting and sexual risk
We assess adults, and have some availability for children and young people.
Clinical and forensic psychologists who write the reports
Reports are written by Dr Mareike Suesse, Consultant Clinical Psychologist (HCPC PYL32511), or by an associate psychologist with the right experience for the assessment, such as Tanya Bailey, HCPC Registered Forensic Psychologist. Meet the team.
Reports that meet court requirements
Every report complies with the relevant court procedure rules, including Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules and Part 19 of the Criminal Procedure Rules. Dr Suesse has completed Bond Solon expert witness training.
We have also prepared reports for the courts in Jersey, which have their own procedure rules.
Psychological reports for criminal, extradition, civil and tribunal proceedings
Criminal proceedings
Fitness to plead, effective participation, suggestibility, cognitive functioning, risk, offending behaviour and reports for sentencing.
Read moreExtradition
Mental health, suicide risk and vulnerability assessments in extradition proceedings. One of our most experienced areas.
Read moreCivil, insurance and tribunal
Psychological injury, capacity to work, and second opinions on reports prepared by other experts.
Read moreParole Board
Psychological risk assessments and reports for Parole Board hearings.
Read moreMental capacity
Independent capacity assessments for wills, lasting powers of attorney and Court of Protection proceedings.
Read moreWe do not generally take instructions in family proceedings.
Expert witness psychologists for London, the South East, the East of England and the Midlands
We are based in Cambridgeshire and take instructions from solicitors and barristers across London, the South East, the East of England and up to the Midlands. We assess in prisons, secure hospitals and solicitors’ offices, and remotely where that is appropriate.
For legally aided cases, travel is charged as public transport costs at Legal Aid Agency rates. For privately funded instructions it is included in the quote. How instruction works.
Questions solicitors ask about instructing a psychologist expert witness
What does a psychologist expert witness do?
A psychologist expert witness assesses a person and gives the court an independent, reasoned opinion on questions such as mental health, cognitive functioning, suggestibility, vulnerability or risk. The report answers the questions in the letter of instruction, and the psychologist may be called to give oral evidence.
Clinical psychologist or forensic psychologist expert witness: which do you need?
It depends on the questions. Clinical psychologists assess mental health, trauma, cognitive functioning and how a person is likely to cope; forensic psychologists specialise in offending behaviour and risk. We have both, and we will suggest who is best placed when you tell us about the case.
How quickly can you produce a psychological report for court?
Typically four weeks from instruction. We consider urgent instructions, so tell us your deadline when you first get in touch.
Do you accept legal aid rates?
Yes. We accept legal aid rates, and travel is quoted in line with legal aid guidelines.
Track record and registrations
- 100+court reports written
for solicitors and the courts 
Dr Mareike Suesse, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
HCPC registration PYL32511
Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office
Every clinician insured and DBS checked
Instruct us
Send us a short note about the case. We will confirm availability, any conflict of interest and a timescale before you send papers.