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How to instruct a medical expert witness through us.

Send us the issues and your deadline, and choose from each expert’s CV, fee and availability. The search is free, we take legally aided cases, and nothing is agreed until you instruct.

0121 752 6061 info@medicalexpertsforlawyers.co.uk Submit an enquiry

  1. 1Send your enquiry
  2. 2We match it to our experts
  3. 3Compare CVs, fees and availability
  4. 4Permission and funding
  5. 5Instruct the expert
  6. 6Receive the report

How to find an expert witness.

Start with the medical question the court needs answered. If you are not sure which specialty is appropriate, describe the issues and we will match you with the right expert.

We check experts for registration and insurance, and the choice is yours: each CV comes with the fee, appointment availability and estimated report date. The Civil Justice Council’s guidance lists the other points to check before you name them.

Guidance for the Instruction of Experts in Civil Claims 2014, para 16. For the registers each profession sits on, see medical expert witness services.

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The six steps.

  1. 1Send your enquiry
  2. 2We match it to our experts
  3. 3Compare CVs, fees and availability
  4. 4Permission and funding
  5. 5Instruct the expert
  6. 6Receive the report

Send your enquiry

Send the form below or give us a call.

We match it to our experts

We contact registered, insured experts whose expertise fits the issues and who can meet your deadline.

Compare CVs, fees and availability

Side by side. Nothing is agreed until you instruct.

Permission and funding

The CV and fee quote provide the expert’s name, field of expertise and estimated cost for the application. Preliminary enquiries need no permission, so the enquiry can come first.

Instruct the expert

Send the letter of instruction and the records (in children proceedings, once the court permits); a case manager arranges the appointment.

Receive the report

A named case manager manages the instruction through to delivery of the report, and passes any Part 35 questions to the expert.

1 to 2 weeks, urgent 2 to 3 days (estimates)
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What we need.

No client details and no records with the first enquiry. In children proceedings, case information goes only to an expert the court has permitted, apart from preliminary enquiries (PD 25C paras 3.3 and 3.4).

With the enquiry

  • The type of case, and the court or tribunal
  • The medical issues, or the specialty
  • Your deadline
  • How the case is funded
  • Where your client is, if they need to be seen

Once you instruct

  • The letter of instruction
  • The medical records, including the GP records
  • The key case documents, such as orders and statements

How fees are quoted, and the legal aid rates: fees and legal aid.

Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6061

Permission to rely on expert evidence.

You make the application; we help you identify a suitable expert and provide the CV and fee quote needed to set out their name, field of expertise and estimated cost.

WhereWhat the rule saysRule
Civil claims, England and WalesPermission is needed to call an expert or put in a report. The application gives a cost estimate, the field and the issues, and the expert’s name where practicableCPR 35.4(1) and (2)
Children proceedings, England and WalesPermission comes before instructing an expert, and before a child is examined or assessedChildren and Families Act 2014, s13
Children proceedings issued on or after 20 July 2026Permission only for a regulated expert, unless an exception applies. The application must say whether the expert is regulatedFPR 25.5A (inserted by SI 2026/699); PD 25C, para 3.10(aa)
All family proceedings, England and Wales (when to apply)As soon as possible, and no later than: in public law children cases, the Case Management Hearing; in private law children cases, the FHDRA; in adoption and placement, the first directions hearing; in financial remedy, the first appointmentFPR 25.6
Criminal cases, England and WalesNo permission rule: serve the report as soon as practicableCrimPR 19.3(3)
ScotlandAdmissibility rather than permission; the expert gives evidence as a skilled witnessKennedy v Cordia [2016] UKSC 6, para 44
Northern Ireland, children casesNo child may be examined or assessed for expert evidence without the leave of the courtFamily Proceedings Rules (NI) 1996, r4.19

More on family applications: family law expert witnesses.

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Part 35 questions to the expert.

Written questions to the other party’s expert or a single joint expert, to clarify the report. Send them through us: the case manager passes them to the expert and returns the answers.

ProceedingsTime limitRule
Civil claims, England and Wales28 days from service of the report, once only, unless the court or the other party allows moreCPR 35.6(2)
Family proceedings, England and Wales10 days beginning with the date the report was servedFPR 25.10(2)(c)
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Joint instructions, discussions and court.

If the instruction will be joint, or the expert may need to attend, say so in the enquiry: the quote and the availability then cover it.

A single joint expert’s quote is prepared for the parties to put to each other, and attendance dates are checked before you instruct.

What each report must contain, court by court, is on our medico-legal reports page.

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Questions about instructing an expert.

For anything else about your case, call us.

Call 0121 752 6061
How do I find an expert witness for my case?

Start from the medical question the court needs answered, and tell us by when. We match the specialty, check who can meet your deadline, and send you each expert’s CV, fee and availability.

What is a single joint expert?

One expert instructed by both or all parties on an issue (CPR 35.7). Tell us at the start: the quote is prepared for the joint instruction, with the fee shown for the parties to apportion.

What are Part 35 questions?

Written questions to clarify an expert’s report in a civil claim, put once, within 28 days of service (CPR 35.6). Send them through us and the case manager returns the answers.

Do I need permission before instructing an expert?

In children proceedings in England and Wales, yes: permission comes before the instruction (Children and Families Act 2014, s13). In civil claims, you need permission to call the expert or put in the report (CPR 35.4). Criminal cases have no permission rule.

Our deadline is tight. Can you help?

Yes. Put the deadline in the enquiry: each quote shows who can meet it. Reports usually take 1 to 2 weeks, or 2 to 3 days when urgent. Timescales are estimates and depend on expert availability, the appointment and receipt of the relevant records.

Send the case. We find the experts.

  • The type of caseFamily, personal injury, criminal, immigration, employment…
  • The specialty, or the issuesIf you are not sure who you need, describe the medical questions
  • The court or tribunalAnd any directions already made about expert evidence
  • Your deadlineHearing, filing or limitation date
  • How the case is fundedLegal aid, private, CFA or insurer
Call0121 752 6061

Send a case enquiry, obtain CVs and quotes in minutes

Fields marked * are required.

Urgent case?0121 752 6061info@medicalexpertsforlawyers.co.uk

Tell us your deadline.

We send you the CVs, fees and availability of experts who can meet it.

Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6061