Legal

Expert Witness Services

Dr Colin Clerkin and his Associates provide Expert Witness services through psychological assessment in Family Court Proceedings and Medico-legal matters relating to psychological trauma following accidents.

Reports are reviewed within the practice by experienced colleagues to ensure the high quality of our services are maintained.

In-house training and supervision is offered to support Associates and provide guidance in report content, interviewing and the presentation of evidence to the Court. All Associates are also offered support to undertake external training in Expert Witness skills to ensure they keep current in their knowledge and skills.

Clerkin Psychology Services Ltd accepts referrals for assessments across North Wales, the North West of England and the Midlands. Enquiries from other parts of the country will be considered, but solicitors should be aware that additional costs will be incurred if we travel outside our usual catchment area.

Family Court

Clerkin Psychology Services Ltd is experienced in preparing high quality reports for the family courts in matters relating to parenting ability, contact issues, residence, placement of children, and capacity to change, amongst other important issues. We are skilled in considering relationship issues within families and parental competency, including parental ability to prioritise their children's needs.

In-depth assessments are conducted within the family home, wherever possible, and, in contact matters, observations of contact between child and parent are undertaken frequently.

Dr Clerkin and Associates will attend Court in support of their reports as required, meeting with Counsel, contributing to Professionals Meetings and giving evidence under cross-examination.

We are happy to offer guidance beyond our assessments in relation to parenting matters, and have successfully provided therapy in response to Court directions for work with both parents and children.

Medico-legal Assessments

Single Joint Expert Medico-legal assessments and reports are prepared in response to instruction from solicitors in personal injury matters.

Detailed assessments are provided for clients who may have experienced psychological trauma, for example as the result of road traffic accidents (RTAs).

Using recognised, comprehensive assessment tools, Clerkin Psychology Services Ltd assess for the presence or absence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) using a three-stage assessment process, involving a free-flowing interview, psychometric questionnaires and finally, a structured interview, to ensure a thorough assessment is carried out. 

Treatment for Trauma

Clerkin Psychology Services Ltd also take medico-legal referrals from solicitors and insurance companies for therapeutic treatment for clients suffering from trauma and associated symptoms. Therapies used are Eye Movement desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Dr Clerkin has been a Law Society-verified Checked Expert Witness for over four years and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society for over six years.

All Clinical Psychologist Associates have achieved Chartered Psychologist status and are experienced practicing clinical psychologists.

Click here to find out how you can Contact Us