Report types
Expert witness report types
Listed practitioners prepare report types that follow a claim from an initial screening exercise through liability, condition and prognosis, and quantum. Others answer a question of their own — capacity, risk, fitness to plead. Each page sets out the form requirements relevant to that report type.
Report types, by stage of instruction
The card order follows the work from the first view on the evidence to procedural work and trial preparation.
Liability sequence
Screening and merits
An initial view on the medical issues and the evidence required.
Open the report type → 02Breach and causation
Whether the care met the applicable standard and caused the injury alleged.
Open the report type → 03Condition and prognosis
The current condition, treatment and likely future course.
Open the report type → 04Quantum
The medical evidence needed to assess loss and future consequences.
Open the report type →Examination and quantum
Independent medical examination
A clinical assessment for the question in issue.
Open the report type → 06Care needs assessment
Care, equipment, accommodation and support needs arising from injury.
Open the report type → 07Records review
An opinion based on the available records where an examination is not required.
Open the report type →Mental health and capacity
Capacity assessments
Whether a person can make a particular decision at a particular time.
Open the report type → 09Risk assessments
Structured assessment of the factors associated with future harm.
Open the report type → 10Fitness to plead
Whether a defendant is able to take part in a criminal trial.
Open the report type → 11Neuropsychological assessment
Cognitive function measured against standardised norms.
Open the report type → 12Parenting and safeguarding
Capacity to meet a child’s needs, and the risks to that child.
Open the report type →Procedural work
Single joint expert
Evidence from an expert appointed for more than one party.
Open the report type → 14Joint statements
The matters agreed and disagreed after expert discussion.
Open the report type → 15Addendum reports
Further opinion where the evidence or instructions have developed.
Open the report type →
Form requirements
The form follows the forum
Every report served as evidence in England and Wales must meet CPR 35.10 and Practice Direction 35. The detailed Part 35 requirements sit in the expert witness report guide.
Not every report on this page is a Part 35 report. Family proceedings run under Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules, which requires the court’s permission before an expert is instructed, and Court of Protection work has its own forms. For medico-legal work more generally, see medico-legal reports. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate rules; their nation pages carry that detail.