Expert Witness Journal Issue 63 October 2025 - Flipbook - Page 41
Commenting on the fact that the expert had already
been paid by the local authority and legal aid agency,
the judge also said, “I am satisfied the fees of [the expert] should not in principle be met from the public
purse […]. I would invite her to consider whether she
should out of good will return her fee to those public
bodies.”
https://www.bondsolon.com/courses/family-law-and-procedure-england-and-wales/
To discuss this course or to place a booking, please
contact expertwitness@bondsolon.com or
+44 (0) 20 7549 2549.
What can expert witnesses learn from this case?
While the expert’s evidence may not have materially
altered the outcome of this case, which was to return
the boy to his father’s care, it is a clear example of how
important it is for experts to fully understand their
duty to the court and to follow legal process.
This case has been heard against a changing landscape
of increased scrutiny of family court experts. The
government has recently closed a consultation on the
standards required for psychologists as expert
witnesses in family courts, after concerns were raised
about the reliability of unregulated expert evidence,
particularly in the context of accusations of “parental
alienation”.
Medico legal assessment of
claimants suffering traumatic brain
injury and psychological injury
arising from accidents and clinical
negligence.
Consulting rooms: London,
Birmingham, Exeter, Thames
Valley, Bristol & Manchester.
To stay up to date with the procedural framework in
the family courts, consider enrolling on our two-day
Family Law and Procedure – England and Wales
course – the next date is the 23-24 October 2025. Delegates will understand how law is made and enforced;
the court structure; the stages through which a case
in court must pass and the different types of proceedings heard within the family courts. In response to recent criticism of expert witnesses operating in the
family courts, the course will also cover family experts’
duties to the court and compliance with Part 25 of the
Family Procedure Rules 2010.
Co-editor and Author of Brain
Injury Claims, published by
Sweet and Maxwell.
Psychological Expert Witness and Treatment Service
Personal Injury I Clinical Negligence I Employment
Dr Aftab Laher
BA (Hons.) MSc PhD C.Psychol. AFBPsS CSci.
Consultant Chartered Clinical & Health Psychologist (BPS)
Registered Practitioner Psychologist (HCPC)
Accredited Cognitive-Behavioural Psychotherapist (BABCP)
Expertise: PTSD I Adjustment Disorders I Anxiety I Phobia I Depression I Sexual Abuse I Chronic Pain I Physical Disability
Acquired Brain Injury I Body Dysmorphia I Workplace Well-Being I Rehabilitation I CBT
Experience: Over 30 years in clinical and medico-legal work I Additional medicolegal training.
Regular attendance at court/ tribunals I The quality of my reports/oral evidence has been commended by lawyers and judges.
Medico-Legal Service:
Consulting Rooms:
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Quotes within 24 hours.
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Contact Details:
Linford Suite, 12 The Crescent, King Street, Leicester LE1 6RX
t: 0116 212 9995 I f: 0116 212 9300 I m: 07900 916 857 I e: al@psyworks.co.uk I w: www.psyworks.co.uk
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
39
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2025
