Are your experts familiar with the AFCS tariff?

Yes. The veterans subset of our panel routinely writes AFCS reports, applies the tariff levels in the report, and gives evidence in the First-tier Tribunal (War Pensions).

How quickly can a report be delivered?

Standard turnaround is 1–2 weeks from receipt of the bundle and access to the assessee. Urgent reports can be delivered in 2–5 working days where a Crown Court trial date, tribunal listing or interim hearing requires it. We will tell you on day one whether the deadline is realistic.

How are fees calculated?

We agree a fixed fee for the report and any addendum, joint statement work and CMC/court attendance up front. Fees reflect the complexity, the volume of records and the urgency. We will provide a written quote that supports a Legal Aid prior authority application where required.

Can the expert be instructed as a Single Joint Expert?

Yes. The majority of our consultants accept SJE instructions and are experienced in dealing with joint letters of instruction, Part 35 questions from both sides, and joint reports with experts of like discipline.

Is in-person assessment essential?

Most assessments can be conducted by secure video, which keeps costs and timescales down and avoids travel. In-person assessment is arranged where the case calls for it, for example where capacity, malingering, or a child or learning-disabled assessee is involved, and across all the UK regions we cover.

What happens if the report is challenged at court?

The instructed expert remains responsible for the case end-to-end, including responding to Part 35 questions, attending the joint experts' discussion, signing the joint statement, and giving live evidence. There is no handover to a different expert at trial.

Case type

Military & Veterans

Military and veterans claims include AFCS appeals, civil claims against the MoD, noise-induced injury claims with psychiatric overlay, and complex PTSD presentations from operational service. Reports require an understanding of military culture and of the AFCS scheme.

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Use this category when…

You need to map a court order or letter from counsel to the right report
You're confirming whether a psychiatric expert (rather than a psychologist) is the right discipline
You want a fixed quote and a realistic deadline before instructing

What to send with your enquiry

A short summary plus the items below is enough for us to match an expert and confirm the deadline — you don't need the full bundle to get a quote.

Short case summary and the questions you want answered
Hearing or listing date and jurisdiction
GP and psychiatric records (full set where available)
Witness statements, schedules of loss or threshold documents
Any prior expert reports
Court order granting permission to instruct (family / Court of Protection)

Overview

Military and veterans claims combine civil claims against the MoD with appeals under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pensions Scheme. The expert needs an understanding of military culture, the AFCS tariff, and the natural history of combat-related PTSD and complex PTSD.

We instruct consultants with clinical experience of veterans' services and substantive experience of AFCS appeal work in the First-tier Tribunal (War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber).

Legal framework

AFCS reports are prepared under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011; civil claims are prepared under CPR Part 35.

Psychiatric issues addressed

Combat-related PTSD and complex PTSD
Moral injury and adjustment disorders
Substance misuse in veterans
Psychiatric overlay to physical injury and noise-induced hearing loss

Questions you can put to the expert

Drop any of these straight into your letter of instruction.

Does the claimant have a psychiatric disorder attributable to service?
What is the appropriate AFCS tariff level?
What is the prognosis and treatment recommendation?

Military & veterans: areas we cover

AFCS and War Pension appeals

Reports apply the AFCS tariff and the standard of proof under the scheme, with reasoned opinion on the appropriate tariff level and on the interim award provisions.

Civil claims against the MoD

Reports for Snatch Land Rover-type civil claims and for combat immunity-affected matters apply the standard CPR Part 35 framework with the additional military context.

Combat-related PTSD and complex PTSD

Reports address the diagnosis, the link to qualifying service, and the AFCS or civil quantum, with attention to the long-latency presentations common in this population.

Moral injury and adjustment disorders

Reports address presentations that fall short of PTSD but reflect the moral and existential impact of operational service, with attention to how those presentations engage the AFCS scheme.

What's in the report

Part 35 / FPR Part 25 / CrimPR statement of compliance, as applicable
Expert's CV and statement of independence
Detailed list of materials considered (records, statements, scans, prior reports)
Full history, mental state examination and collateral information
Diagnostic formulation referenced to ICD-11 / DSM-5-TR
Reasoned opinion on causation, apportionment, prognosis and treatment
Indicative treatment costings where requested
Statement of truth signed in the prescribed form

How we help

Same-day shortlist of suitable consultants once we receive a brief instruction
Choice of male or female assessor, and of sub-specialty, on every instruction
Fixed fees agreed up front; Legal Aid prior authority figures supported
Standard turnaround 1–2 weeks; urgent reports inside 5 working days where the diary allows
Joint reports, addendum reports, Part 35 questions and CMC attendance handled by the same expert
Remote (secure video) or in-person assessment across the UK

Frequently asked questions

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Need a psychiatric expert witness?

Tell us about your case and we'll match you to the right consultant, usually within 24 hours.

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