A medicolegal psychiatric assessment is a formal evaluation carried out by a consultant psychiatrist to provide expert opinion in legal contexts. It involves a structured clinical interview and results in a written report used in court proceedings, tribunals, or occupational or insurance cases.
These assessments are suitable for individuals involved in legal processes where mental health is a relevant factor. You may need a medicolegal psychiatric assessment for:
Personal injury claims (e.g. PTSD following an accident)
Employment or occupational stress cases
Immigration and asylum proceedings
Family court (e.g. parenting capacity or mental health concerns)
Criminal justice assessments (fitness to plead, capacity, risk)
Psychiatric injury following medical negligence
Housing or benefits appeals involving mental health
Historical abuse claims or trauma-related litigation
Assessments can be instructed by solicitors, insurers, employers, or occasionally by individuals directly. Reports are written with legal audiences in mind and follow expert witness standards.
Formal instruction by a solicitor or legal body (or private referral)
Review of medical, legal, and occupational records (if provided)
Comprehensive psychiatric interview (typically 90–120 minutes)
Assessment of mental state, history, functioning, and risk
Diagnostic formulation using DSM/ICD criteria
Evaluation of causation (if relevant), prognosis, and treatment needs
Consideration of capacity, credibility, and consistency
Expert opinion written in a legally robust, objective style
Report prepared in compliance with Civil or Criminal Procedure Rules
Option for follow-up reports or court appearance as an expert witness
Timeline for report completion usually 2–4 weeks after assessment
Remote or in-person appointments (including prison/hospital visits)
Trauma-informed, culturally aware, and respectful approach
At Bloomfield Health, we combine clinical depth with legal clarity. Our expert psychiatrists are experienced in preparing high-quality medicolegal reports for civil, family, criminal, and immigration cases. We take a neutral, objective stance, while maintaining dignity and care for every individual we assess. Whether you’re a legal professional, insurer, or client, we ensure professionalism, compliance, and clear communication from instruction to court.
Yes — we accept referrals from solicitors, insurers, agencies, and individuals. We’ll clarify costs and purpose before proceeding.
Typically 60-90 minutes. This may be longer or over a few appointments for complex cases or where multiple sources of information are involved.
Reports are usually completed within 2-4 weeks, depending on complexity and availability of background documents.
No — medicolegal assessments follow legal guidelines and are written for courts or tribunals, not for clinical treatment.
Yes — we regularly assess for psychiatric injury following trauma, accidents, abuse, or discrimination.
We do not provide ongoing care to individuals we assess medicolegally, in line with expert witness guidelines.
Yes — our experts prepare reports to CPR, FPR, or tribunal standards and can attend court if needed.
Please contact us with the referral details. We’ll confirm availability, provide a quote, and schedule the assessment once instructed.
We are registered by the Care Quality Commission (CQC),
the independent regulator of health and social care in England.
