Understanding medico-legal report fees and timescales

Before you agree a fee

Ask for an estimate that connects the proposed work, likely total cost and delivery date. A published hourly rate or an available appointment does not, by itself, tell you the total price or when a report will be ready.

• Check what the estimate includes and which later tasks would be charged separately.
• Confirm who will pay, when payment is due and what happens if the work changes.
• Give the report deadline as well as any hearing date, and ask for the agreed timetable in writing.

Look at the whole task

A psychiatric report involves more than the time spent in an appointment. Before comparing quotes, check which work each one describes. The assessment, consideration of records and preparation of the written opinion may be priced together or separately. A later request for additional work may change the scope.

PsychCare lists an hourly rate for medico-legal psychiatric reports on its Fees page. An hourly figure is not a total report price. Ask for an estimate for the proposed instruction, the assumptions behind it and how any change would be agreed. The Fees page is the place to check the current published rate.

Make two quotes comparable

Consider this planning example: one estimate covers an assessment and initial report, while another also allows for a substantial bundle and a follow-up response. A lower headline figure alone cannot tell you which covers the work you need. Compare the included tasks before comparing totals.

A useful question is: 'What work does this estimate cover, and what would need a separate agreement?' Keep the answer with the instruction so there is a shared reference if the case develops.

• Are records review, assessment and report preparation included?
• How would additional records, questions or a supplementary report be charged?
• If an experts' discussion or attendance at a hearing is needed, is that available and separately priced?
• Are any applicable taxes, travel or other expenses included?
• What payment, cancellation and rescheduling terms apply?

Work back from the date the report is needed

Tell the provider when the report is required, not only when a hearing takes place. Allow time for the legal team to consider the report and complete the next step in the proceedings. Ask which dates can be confirmed and what information must be available first.

For your own planning, distinguish the date an instruction is accepted, the assessment date and the agreed delivery date. Ask what could affect that sequence, such as missing records or a change to the questions. Do not treat a general website timescale or an initial enquiry response as a commitment for a particular case.

Separate the price from funding and cost recovery

Who pays an invoice and whether a cost can later be recovered are separate questions. If public funding, an insurer or another payer is involved, confirm the applicable approval and payment arrangements before work starts. This guide does not confirm that PsychCare accepts a particular funding arrangement.

In civil proceedings in England and Wales, the court can limit the expert fees recoverable from another party. An agreed quote is not a guarantee of recovery. The instructing legal team should check the applicable procedure, funding terms and any budget restrictions.

Keep changes and next steps in writing

If new documents arrive or a further question is added, explain what has changed and ask whether the estimate or delivery date needs updating. Keep a clear record of what has been agreed, rather than assuming the original quote covers every later stage.

For an initial enquiry, give a brief, non-identifying outline of the report sought and the relevant deadline. Ask for the next step in obtaining a case-specific estimate. An enquiry does not confirm an instruction, assessment slot or report delivery date.