Expert Witness Journal Issue 65 February 2026 - Flipbook - Page 46
4. Understand the threshold for reassessment:
Fresh evidence must make it ‘more likely’ that
a signi昀椀cantly di昀昀erent conclusion would be
reached; general observations from professionals
with limited contact will not su昀케ce
Ms. Kam Kaur
Independent Social Worker
& Expert Witness
5. Ensure Merton compliance from the outset:
A robust, well-documented initial assessment
protects against successful challenge and
reduces the likelihood of costly judicial review
proceedings
MA Social Work
I am an Independent Social Worker and Expert Witness with over 20 years’
experience across Public and Private Family Law. My background includes work in
Local Authorities, the NSPCC, therapeutic services, and court-directed
interventions. I specialise in high-conflict cases, safeguarding, domestic abuse,
child resistance/avoidance, and complex co-parenting assessments.
The case demonstrates that thorough, well-reasoned
initial assessments that properly consider and
document all evidence will withstand legal scrutiny,
even when fresh evidence emerges.
I provide clear, evidence-based assessments and balanced recommendations
rooted in trauma-informed and systemic practice. My approach is direct,
child-focused, and grounded in established social work foundations. I hold
advanced training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Systemic
Practice, Attachment Narrative Therapy, NVR, sexual-harmful behaviour
assessments, and domestic abuse risk work.
I regularly prepare Section 7 reports, Parent Assess assessments, parenting
capacity assessments, and risk assessments in cases involving emotional harm,
neglect, domestic abuse, and allegations of alienating behaviours. I also undertake
contact observations and provide reunification planning, as well as direct work
with children when instructed.
If you would like to learn more, contact Browne
Jacobson or view their other age assessment article
guides.3
My expertise is strengthened by my role as Senior Social Worker at the Parenting
Apart Programme, a nationally recognised intervention evaluated by the Anna
Freud Centre. I train social workers, provide case consultation and supervision on
reducing parental conflict, child mental health, and safe co-parenting in separated
families.
References
1
F, R (On the Application Of) v Manchester City
Council [2019] EWHC 2998 (Admin) - www.caselaw.
nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2019/2998?query=R
%28F%29+Manchester+City+Council+%5B2019%5D+EWHC
+2998+%28Admin%29#download-options
2
Children Act 1989 - www.legislation.gov.uk/
ukpga/1989/41/section/20
3
Age assessment article guides - www.brownejacobson.com/
insights?tab=Articles&type=&search=age+assessment
I have given evidence in the Family Court and my evidence has been described as
reliable, balanced, and helpful to judicial decision-making.
Languages: English, Punjabi
Email: Kam.isw@outlook.com | Alternate Email: Kam.Kaur@ibasw.uk
Telephone: 0796 879 5761
Area of work: Midlands & National Coverage
Agewise
Medicolegal
Experts
Agewise Medicolegal Experts provide geriatricians, old age psychiatrists, general
practitioners and elderly care nursing experts to instructing solicitors and barristers
to assist the Courts in matters of liability, causation, condition and prognosis,
professional negligence, personal injury and issues around mental capacity and in
particular testamentary capacity.
Our consultants, GPs and nursing experts all have a long experience of working in
the NHS and are fully up to date in current practice. Dr Dan Lee is the Principal
Geriatrician and has over 20 years of working as an NHS consultant in the Royal
Free Hospital, London, a busy London teaching hospital, as well as working in
community based multidisciplinary frailty teams. He now works in the Cleveland
Clinic London as a consultant on the Acute Medical Assessment Unit.
Dr. Pavan Chahl
Consultant Psychiatrist
MBBS, MRCPsych, CCT (General adult psychiatry),
Section 12(2) approved
All our clinicians have many years of experience in managing acute illness and
disability in older people as well as experience of producing medicolegal reports.
They have also all also received formal training in medicolegal report writing. In
addition, we have subspecialist expertise in life expectancy estimation, dementia,
depression, mental capacity, care home standards of care and stroke. We take
instruction both nationally and internationally and will assess clients in their own
residence should they be too frail to travel to our private rooms.
I work as a Consultant Psychiatrist working in independent sector in
Locked Rehabilitation. I have previously been on the Council of the
Birmingham medico-legal society and the Birmingham medical institute.
I have worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist since 2002 and have
undertaken expert witness work since 2009. I have significant experience
of dealing with cases that relate to Personal Injury, Dangerousness, Fitness
to Plead, Family law, Assessment of Capacity & Chronic Pain Syndrome
the Disability Discrimination Act and Clinical Negligence. I have written
reports for the Defendant, Claimant and also joint instructions.
Contact: Ruth Kriegel
Telephone: 020 7117 2551 | Email: admin@agewiseml.co.uk
Website: www.agewiseml.co.uk
Address:
London Office, 184 Southstand
Highbury Stadium Square
London, N5 1FJ
Tel: 07985 883 549
Email: pchahl@yahoo.co.uk
Dr Pavan Chahl, Consultant Psychiatrist
PO Box 18213, Birmingham, B13 3QZ
Alternate Address:
Cardiff Office
10 Heol Y Felin
Cardiff, CF5 4BT
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
44
FEBRUARY 2026
