Criminal proceedings: expert witnesses
Criminal cases instruct medical experts on injury interpretation, intoxication, cause of death and the defendant’s mental state. The expert’s duty is to the court, whichever side instructs.
The evidence
The disciplines this matter instructs
The register should be searched by the question a practitioner is asked to answer, not by a generic medical title.
Select the relevant disciplines, then agree scope, fees and availability directly with the practitioner.
Find experts for criminal mattersJurisdiction
The context behind the instruction
In England and Wales, expert evidence in criminal proceedings is governed by Part 19 of the Criminal Procedure Rules. Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own criminal systems, with their own rules and terminology.
Where the instruction concerns a defendant’s capacity to stand trial, see fitness to plead. For nation-specific context, see expert evidence across the UK nations. The register does not determine legal issues or provide legal advice.
Report routes
Reports commonly considered
records review and mental health assessment reports provide distinct forms of evidence. Their scope should follow the issues, available records and the questions put to the expert.
Directory search