
Register of Expert Witnesses
A register of Chartered Psychologists who have the specialist knowledge and competences required of an expert witness
What is the Register of Expert Witnesses?
The Register of Expert Witnesses has been created to meet the courts' specific requirements for expert witnesses and to protect the public by ensuring that legal professionals and the public can easily locate psychologists who are competent to act as an expert witness.
All registrants are Chartered Psychologists, demonstrating the highest level of education and training as a psychologist, who have additionally demonstrated the specialist knowledge and competences required of an expert witness including:
- Understanding the role, responsibilities, and ethical considerations of expert witness work
- Differentiating between the clinical role and expert witness work
- Producing reports and presenting evidence that complies with court requirements
- A commitment to continuous professional development (CPD)
For services of clinical assessment for the courts, you will be able to find an HCPC-registered psychologist who is accountable to the regulator.
The register offers an overview of each registrant's expertise and the legal contexts within which they offer their services, meaning that people can quickly identify the right expert for their case.
Guidance for Psychologists as Expert Witnesses
The society is proud to collaborate on guidance for courts on using psychologists as expert witnesses.
Our work demonstrates our commitment to promoting best practice and ensuring that experts meet the high standards expected by the judiciary.
- Psychologists As Expert Witnesses - Best practice guidelines for psychologists (2021)
- Psychologists as Expert Witnesses in the family courts in England and Wales (2nd ed. 2023) prepared with the Family Justice Council
- Psychologist Expert Witnesses undertaking Remote Psychological Assessments (2020)
These publications reflect the society's recognition of the importance of the expert witness role and the requirement for specialist expertise to undertake it successfully. The register has been developed to address public protection concerns that arise from the use of expert witnesses who are not suitably prepared for the work.
The Register of Expert Witnesses is a dedicated service that promotes qualified professionals to courts, ensuring the availability of appropriate psychological expertise in legal proceedings in line with the society's guidance that "Courts should expect that all psychologists based in the UK providing evidence in family proceedings are regulated by the HCPC (if they are practitioners) and/or that academic psychologists have Chartered membership with the BPS."
Coming soon
The register is not currently available to search, we will be opening it for searches in the coming weeks.
The register is open for applications, please see the join the register section for details.
For courts and legal professionals
This register can help you to quickly locate a suitable psychologist who is both knowledgeable and experienced in expert witness work across a range of legal contexts, including:
- Civil, Family, or Criminal proceedings
- Magistrates' or District courts
- Tribunals and panel hearings
What is an expert witness?
Although there is no legal definition of an expert or expert witness, the society's definition is:
"An expert is a person who, through specialist training, study, or experience, is able to provide a court, tribunal, or hearing with relevant scientific, technical, or professional information or opinion, based on skills, expertise, or knowledge, that is likely to be beyond the experience and knowledge of the representing lawyers, judge, jury or panel."
- Psychologists as Expert Witnesses: Best practice guidelines for psychologists (2021)
What is a psychologist in this context?
Here, "psychologist" refers to:
- Practitioner psychologists: Psychologists who are registered with the HCPC. HCPC registration authorises the use of a protected title (including "Practitioner Psychologist") and provides governance regarding the professional practice of registered individuals (see Why your registration matters | The HCPC). For this register, HCPC regulation gives assurance that a psychologist is accountable for their practice in offering clinical assessments.
- Academic psychologists: Chartered by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and recognised for their research expertise, though not necessarily involved in clinical assessments.
When choosing an expert witness, note that HCPC-registered psychologists bring clinical experience essential for clinical assessments, while chartered academic psychologists offer specialised research insights.
This register allows only HCPC-registered psychologists to offer clinical assessments in their biographies to ensure that people have recourse to the regulator (HCPC) where there are concerns about the fitness to practise of members listed on the register.
This distinction between research expertise and psychological services is in keeping with the Re C judgment (EWHC 345 (Fam) 2023) and in line with the Family Procedure Rule Committee proposals (currently in consultation) to require the courts to engage regulated psychologists as experts.
All experts are responsible for the accuracy of their profiles on the Register.
Application Requirements
To join the Register of Expert Witnesses, you must:
- Be a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society
- Demonstrate the specialist knowledge and competences required of expert witnesses as defined by the society's Expert Witness Advisory Group
Ready to gain recognition for your expertise?
To complete the application form you will need to:
- Provide your personal and professional details
- Include a brief profile detailing your domain-specific expertise as a psychologist, your expert witness qualifications and experience, and the legal contexts and services that are within your scope of competence
- Submit the documents required to evidence your competence either through Route A - Industry standard recognition, or Route B - Validated competence – see below for details
- Submit evidence of your CPD activities from the last three years (or since qualification if that is less than three years ago) that is relevant to expert witness work, using the CPD record template
You will also need to declare that you:
- Hold current indemnity insurance covering your expert witness work
- Have no adverse findings or unresolved complaints of relevance from an employer, HCPC, the courts or other competent authorities
- Commit to maintaining the standards required by the register
If you wish to offer the services of assessment, formulation and diagnosis to the courts:
- Enter your HCPC registration number
Upload either:
- Certificate of successful completion of the BPS Psychologists as Expert Witnesses workshop
Or
- A reference from a Chartered Psychologist endorsing your understanding of the difference between clinical and expert witness work, you must use the services reference template
Application routes
Route A - Industry standard recognition: evidence of competence required
We accept one of the following as evidence of industry standard recognition:
- Cardiff University Bond Solon (CUBS) Expert Witness Certificate
- University of Aberdeen Bond Solon (UABS) Expert Witness Certificate
- Certificate or Letter of acceptance for membership of the Expert Witness Institute:
- Member of the Expert Witness Institute (MEWI)
- Certified Member of the Expert Witness Institute (MEWI(Cert))
- Fellow of the Expert Witness Institute (FEWI)
- Certified Fellow of the Expert Witness Institute (FEWI(Cert))
- Certificate or Letter of acceptance for membership of The Academy of Experts:
- Member of the Academy of Experts (MAE)
- Fellow of the Academy of Experts (FAE)
- Certificate of successful completion of BPS: Essential knowledge for the Expert Witness programme (Full series) and certificate of successful completion of the BPS Psychologists as Expert Witnesses workshop
Route B - Statement with a reference: evidence of competence required
We accept the following as evidence of validated competence:
- A competence statement detailing your expert witness knowledge, supported by a reference from a relevant professional, you must use the competence statement template
- A relevant professional to act as your referee is a solicitor listed on the SRA's Solicitor's Register, or a barrister listed as practising on the Barristers Register, or registrant on the Register of Expert Witnesses
Fees
- Application Fee Route A: £50 - reduced to £37.50 until 31 August 2025
- Application Fee Route B: £100 - reduced to £75 until 31 August 2025
The application fee is a one-off fee payable at the time of application and is non-refundable.
For a limited period ending on 31 August 2025, application fees are discounted by 25% from the standard fees.
- Annual Fee: £72 -The annual fee is payable after your application is approved and before you are added to the register. Renewal fees align with your main membership grade.
Apply to join the register
Complete the application form to apply to join the register.
Application guidance
Guidance for completing the Route B competence statement template
In your competence statement you are asked to address the following competences that have been identified by EWAG and approved by the Practice Board:
- Knowledge of the role and responsibilities of an expert witness in the courts - Including knowledge of the relevant court rules and current case law, the purpose of the expert witness, contractual obligations, and the ethical challenges and liability risks.
- The Expert report - Including knowledge of the court's distinction between fact and opinion, and the ability to construct a compliant report.
- Post-report activity, including the experts' meetings - Including knowledge of the purpose of the meeting of experts and addendums, and how to prepare a joint report.
- Presenting courtroom evidence - Including knowledge of court protocols and the ability to give effective oral evidence.
- Commitment to CPD - Including the importance of being up to date with relevant court rules changes and case law that may impact on expert witness activity.
Download the competence statement template.
You should describe the evidence that you have to show you are competent in these areas, for example education and training, informal learning opportunities, for example mentoring, conferences, professional discussion or experience acting as or observing an expert witness.
You should also explain how this training or experience has helped you to develop the knowledge and skills that you need. You can then discuss your statement with your referee so that they fully understand the claims that you are making. They can then complete their portion of the template if they are satisfied that you are competent in all the areas.
Guidance for completing the Route A and Route B CPD template
In this document you should provide details of any formal training and other continuing professional development that has enabled you to develop your expertise and maintain currency.
Download the CPD record template.
Your informal learning might include, for example, reading, peer observations, conferences, professional discussions, or other opportunities relevant to expert witness work that you believe enable you to show that you have kept your knowledge and skills up to date.
The topics you have addressed should include being up to date with relevant court rules changes and case law that may impact on expert witness activity.
You should not only describe your activities, but also the impact on you and the benefits for your work and clients, the courts. The template guides you with questions to make sure you address the effectiveness of your learning activities.
Guidance for completing the services reference template
If you are HCPC registered and wish to offer clinical assessments for the courts, then you must either have completed the BPS Psychologists as Expert Witnesses workshop or you must complete the services reference template as part of your application.
Download the services reference template.
In order to act as an expert witness offering clinical assessments, it is important that registrants are aware of the difference between the role of a psychologist in a therapeutic relationship, and the role of a psychologist in providing evidence for the courts. In the services reference template you should outline how your referee can be assured that you understand this difference.
You might, for example describe how your conduct in the two roles would differ in particular situations and explain why in terms of the expectations of an expert witness. Circumstances of relevance should include the role and presentation of psychometrics and acting appropriately when errors occur.
You can then discuss your statement with your referee so that they fully understand the claims that you are making. They can then complete their portion of the template if they are satisfied that you are competent.
Your referee must be a chartered psychologist who is in a position to endorse your understanding of the difference between clinical and expert witness work.
Enhance your professional identity
Joining the Register of Expert Witnesses offers you significant professional benefits:
- Enhanced Professional Recognition: Your expertise is formally acknowledged, aligning with recent court guidance and revised BPS training.
- Adherence to High Standards: Evidence that your practice aligns with the industry standards, reflecting specialised knowledge of court expectations.
- Credibility & Trust: Being a registered member shows that you work within an ethically and empirically sound framework.
- Ongoing Professional Development: The register supports your continuous learning and development through clear CPD guidelines and close liaison with the Society's Expert Witness Advisory Group.
- Visibility and Promotion: Your profile is promoted to courts and potential service commissioners as a trusted, high-quality source.
Maintaining your registration
The requirements to maintain registration are in place to ensure that registrants continue to meet the eligibility criteria, and are up to date with developments relevant to expert witness work.
Registrants must:
- Hold current indemnity insurance covering your expert witness work;
- Have no adverse findings or unresolved complaints of relevance from an employer, HCPC, the courts or other competent authorities;
- Maintain HCPC registration (for those offering the services of assessment formulation and diagnosis);
- Engage in CPD relevant to your expert witness activities
You'll receive a reminder one month before your registration is due for renewal. If we don't receive your renewal payment your registration will lapse and you'll no longer appear on the register. We operate a no refund policy. Once registration is paid for the period of one year it's non-refundable.
By paying your registration fee and when renewing your registration each year you confirm that you continue to meet the eligibility requirements to be registered on the Register of Expert Witnesses.
If at any point you cease to meet these requirements, you should notify the Membership team by emailing [email protected] for advice. In the case of receiving a complaint you should contact the complaints team by emailing [email protected] for advice. We will assess the situation and if you no longer meet the requirements for registration, you may be removed from the register.
These requirements not only keep your skills current but also strengthen the overall value and trust in the register.
Continuing professional development (CPD) requirements
Acceptable CPD includes conferences, workshops, supervision, research, service development, and court advisory roles.
All activities should demonstrate learning outcomes and practical implementation of learning. Registrants should pay particular attention to changes in court procedures or the issuing of judgements that may impact on how an expert witness is expected to make their contribution to the courts.
As members of the society, you can access the BPS MyCPD platform to record your CPD. The MyCPD platform supports you to plan your development and record activities, including the upload of evidence e.g. certificates and reflect on your learning. You can also generate reports on all of the content
Annual declarations and audits
At renewal of their annual subscription, registrants must declare that they still meet the requirements to maintain their registration.
- On an annual basis, 20% of randomly selected registrants will be asked to provide evidence of their indemnity insurance
- On an annual basis, 20% of randomly selected registrants will be asked to provide evidence of CPD activities and reflection on those activities for review by peers from the register
Making a complaint
We encourage an informal approach to resolving any concerns as the quickest route in the first instance, where it is appropriate. If you have any concerns about a registrant's conduct, we recommend speaking directly with the individual where possible. However, if the matter requires further action:
- Immediate Danger - Please call the police.
- Professional Conduct Concerns - If you suspect unprofessional behaviour please raise the matter with the registrant's employer, if applicable.
- Quality of Expert Reports - Concerns regarding the quality of an expert report should be addressed through your legal representative and brought to the attention of the court.
- Clinical Practice - Any concerns related to the clinical practice and services of assessment, formulation and diagnosis should be reported directly to the HCPC.
Complaints submitted to the Society will be reviewed by our Complaints Team, who will determine whether the matter should be handled by the HCPC, the courts, or under our Member Conduct Rules. You can raise your concerns through our complaints process.
Upholding excellence through robust governance
Our register is maintained with strong oversight to ensure that expert witness practice remains of the highest standard.
Key governance features include:
- Standards and Competencies - The required areas of expertise (from understanding court procedures to producing compliant reports) have been approved by the Practice Board and are regularly reviewed by the Expert Witness Advisory Group.
- Continuous Improvement - Annual audits and renewal declarations ensure that registrants meet the required standards. Any shortfall in CPD, indemnity insurance, or supervision may result in removal from the register.
- Transparent Reporting - The annual renewal process is reviewed by the Member Board, informing any necessary adjustments to admission criteria, CPD expectations, and audit processes.
- Collaboration and Accountability - Oversight is provided by the Member Board, Practice Board, and EWAG. This collaborative approach guarantees that the register stays current, inclusive, and aligned with both legal expectations and best practices in psychology.
For more details on our governance bodies, please visit the Member Board, Practice Board, and the Expert Witness Advisory Group.