Expert Witness

DVT Director, Dr Roxane Agnew-Davies is retired from legal work, however she continues to oversee and co sign reports written by DVT Associates. Dr Agnew-Davies and DVT Associate, Dr Tamany Baker, are both qualified to make clinical assessments of mental health; to use diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association and to offer therapeutic interventions. Since 2006 Dr Agnew-Davies has assessed and written expert reports for over 500 cases and has regularly appeared in court as an expert witness. The majority of our cases are heard in the Immigration and Asylum Chamber, but some are heard in Family Courts and others in Criminal Courts.

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A psychological assessment takes up to four hours to complete and we aim to submit the report four to five weeks after assessment.

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Summary example of time involved in writing Expert Court Report

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• Examination of background information & relevant documents in bundle 4hrs

• Semi-structured interview and administration of psychometric questionnaires 4hrs

• Analysis of interview notes including non-verbal behaviours 2hrs

• Scoring, analysis & interpretation of psychometric measures of mental health 2hrs

• Diagnosis and reporting of DSM Axis 1 disorders 4hrs

• Analysis of experiences of violence & abuse 2hrs

• Impact of violence & abuse on vulnerability 2hrs

• Prognosis and treatment recommendations 1hr

• Likely impact of removal from UK & return to country of origin on mental health 2hrs

• Psychological factors impacting on capacity to give account/follow proceedings 2hrs

• Basis for conclusions; likelihood of fabrication 1hr

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