Terms and Conditions for Acceptance of Legal Instructions

I will interview and assess clients within 4 weeks of instruction, unless they cannot/do not attend or cancel a previously arranged appointment.
I will produce a report within 6 weeks of this appointment (unless otherwise agreed).
Solicitors or other instructing professionals will provide me with the client’s medical records at their expense prior to the appointment.
My fee for an interview and psychological examination of clients is £170 per hour (a psychological assessment takes at least 2 hours).
My fees, thereafter, are based on an hourly rate of £170 for reading notes and preparing the report.
As an estimate, a straightforward medico-legal report, including the reading of hospital/other notes, will cost £600. More complex cases will be charged according to the above/below protocol.
If a client cancels their appointment, giving less than 48 hours’ notice I will charge a cancellation rate of £170.
If I am asked to appear as an expert witness in a court case, my fee will be £170 per hour plus expenses.
My fee for attending a case conference is £170 per hour from the time I leave my house/clinic/hospital plus expenses.
In typical circumstances I require 6 weeks notice to attend hearings and case conferences.
- If such an attendance is cancelled with less than 4 weeks’ notice, 50% of my fees for the whole of the assigned time will be payable.
- If I receive less than 14 days’ notice 75% of my fees for the whole of the assigned time will be payable.
- If I receive less than 7 days’ notice 100% of my fees for the whole of the assigned time will be payable.
My fees are not subject to assessment and are not dependent upon the successful outcome of the case.
All fees are payable within 60 days. Alternative payment schedules need to be agreed in writing in advance.
I accept the standard legal-aid fees.