Question 1

What types of expert reports do you provide?

Accepted Answer

We coordinate country condition reports, medico-legal and psychological assessments (including MLRs and Istanbul Protocol reports), and linguistic and document authentication evidence for UK asylum and immigration proceedings.

Question 2

Which UK tribunals and courts do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We provide expert evidence for the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), Upper Tribunal (IAC), High Court judicial review, Family Court proceedings where FPR Part 25 applies, and Home Office pre-decision submissions throughout the United Kingdom.

Question 3

Are your fees compliant with Legal Aid Agency rates?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Quotes and instructions are structured for LAA prior authority and certificate funding. We provide CCMS-ready quotes formatted to reduce administrative burden for legal aid caseworkers.

Question 4

How does LAA prior authority work for expert witness fees?

Accepted Answer

Solicitors typically obtain prior authority before instructing an expert. We provide itemised quotes aligned to LAA codified rates so you can submit them directly through CCMS or your firm's prior authority process.

Question 5

How do I commission a report?

Accepted Answer

Complete our Commission a Report form with case background, funding type, tribunal stage, report deadline, and the specific questions for the expert. You may request a quote first if prior authority is still outstanding.

Question 6

How quickly will I receive a quote?

Accepted Answer

We aim to return LAA-compliant quotes within one working day of receiving a complete instruction or quote request, subject to case complexity, discipline required, and expert availability.

Question 7

Do you work with privately funded or NGO cases?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In addition to legal aid matters, we support privately funded instructions and NGO or charity referrals where expert evidence is required for vulnerable clients.

Question 8

Are your experts independent under CPR Part 35?

Accepted Answer

Expert evidence is prepared in line with CPR Part 35 and FPR Part 25. Experts owe a duty to the court to provide independent, impartial evidence regardless of who instructs them.

Question 9

Can you provide Istanbul Protocol assessments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. GMC-registered medical experts can conduct Istanbul Protocol-compliant assessments documenting physical evidence of torture and ill-treatment, alongside HCPC psychological trauma assessments where required.

Question 10

Do you accept Exceptional Case Funding (ECF) instructions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Where standard legal aid limits are insufficient, we can provide detailed hour breakdowns and justification narratives to support ECF applications.

Question 11

How is client confidentiality protected?

Accepted Answer

All instructions are handled in strict confidence. Case materials are shared via secure channels and processed in accordance with UK data protection legislation.

Question 12

How do I contact you about an instruction?

Accepted Answer

Email cases@legalaidexpertwitness.com or use our contact, quote, or commissioning forms. The commissioning form captures the information needed for prior authority and expert allocation.

Send a formal expert briefing.

What to have to hand.

Report commissioning form

Questions solicitors usually ask.