Expert Witness Journal Issue 67 June/July 2026 - Flipbook - Page 13
Witness Evidence
The Importance of Strong Evidence
Who can provide evidence
There are several common issues relating to
evidence for psychiatric injuries that can a昀昀ect the
strength of the claim, including:
Witness evidence can play an important supporting
role in psychiatric injury claims. Statements are
often provided by people who know the claimant
well, such as family members, friends, or colleagues.
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Delay in seeking medical treatment
Inconsistent reporting of symptoms
Failure to follow medical advice
What this evidence shows
The quality and consistency of evidence can have
a direct impact on the outcome of a claim. Strong
evidence supports the credibility of the claimant’s
account and helps demonstrate not only that a
psychiatric injury exists, but also how serious it is
and how long it is likely to last.
Witnesses can describe how the claimant was before
the incident and how they have changed since. This
may include:
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Changes in mood or behaviour
Symptoms they observe the claimant su昀昀ering
(such as panic attacks or nightmares)
Withdrawal from social activities
Di昀케culties at work
Impact on relationships
Additional care and support provided to the
claimant
Conclusion
A specialist solicitor, such as the expert team at
Anthony Gold, can guide you through the process,
gather the right evidence, and put forward the
strongest possible claim.
This type of evidence helps to illustrate the day-today impact of the condition. It compliments medical
evidence by providing a fuller picture of how the
injury a昀昀ects the claimant’s life. It is also important
in supporting a care claim where the witness has
provided additional gratuitous care and assistance
to the claimant due to their psychiatric injuries.
Early legal advice can make a signi昀椀cant di昀昀erence
to how well a claim is prepared and presented.
Understanding the risks and avoiding common
pitfalls can also help protect the credibility of a
claim. With the right evidence and legal support,
claimants are better placed to achieve a fair outcome.
PSYCHIATRIC & PSYCHOLOGICAL
CONSULTANT SERVICES (PPCS)
Dr Peter McAllister
Independent Consultant Forensic
& General Adult Psychiatrist
– Expert Witness
MEDICO-LEGAL EXPERT WITNESS
PPCS is an independent clinic and registered provider with the
Care Quality Commission for assessment and treatment in
psychiatry, psychology and allied disciplines.
MB BS MSc MBA FHEA FRCPsych
PPCS has over 25+ clinical staff including General Adult
Psychiatrists, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists,
Neuropsychiatrists, Neuropsychologists, Clinical and
Counselling Psychologists.
Dr McAllister is an experienced Forensic & General Adult Psychiatrist with a strong
Occupational focus. He has been providing Independent Psychiatric reports to the
Courts since 2001. His Courtroom reports have been for both claimant and
defendant on both criminal and civil cases.
Services Offered
Our clinicians have extensive experience undertaking medicolegal work covering all aspects of insurance claims and
criminal work, trauma, brain injury and personal injury
assessments and reports.
Personal Injury
Brain Injury / Trauma
Forensic Psychiatry and
Psychology
Childcare / Family
Proceedings
Experience includes;
Independent Medical
Examinations including
Occupational Assessments
Neuropsychiatry
Neuropsychology
PPCS clinicians provide treatment for a wide range of
specialisms and services, including EMDR, psychotherapy, CBT
for anxiety, depression, pain management, PTSD, phobic
anxiety, substance misuse, sexual abuse and relationship
problems, occupational stress, psychosomatic illness, chronic
fatigue, bereavement and learning disability, discrimination at
work.
For further information please visit:
Website: www.ppcsltd.co.uk
Telephone: 0207 935 0640
Email: medico.legal@ppcsltd.co.uk
Address: 85 Great Portland Street
London, W1W 7LT
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
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Briefing on difficult topics at the highest level, e.g. senior politicians, senior
defence leaders, and members of the Royal Family.
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RCPsych College Lead for Veterans’ Mental Health.
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Delivering multi-professional health care to vulnerable patients outside the
NHS, including but not limited to Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational
Therapy, SLT, & Dietetics.
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Specialised Medical Screening of Army potential recruits, with a turnaround of
less than 10 days from referral to concrete opinion & recommendation.
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British Army Consultant Advisor in Psychiatry (Colonel), 1990-2013. Delivered
a clinical service, while heading up the whole cadre of Army Mental Health
Provision, around 150 full-time clinicians. Lead on all new Mental Health
Policies, and advice. Frequent engagement with Media, Government
Ministers and the Third Sector on the issue of Mental Health.
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Instructed as a Psychiatric expert on a number of large scale class actions,
as well as high-profile criminal cases involving veterans.
Email: milmentalhealth@outlook.com
DX Number: GMC Number: 3582350
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JUNE 2026
