Yes, we work on Legal Aid cases and also offer a Legal Aid rate.
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Frequently
Asked Questions
When it comes to family and criminal law cases, the expertise needed to make sense of the evidence can only be achieved by highly qualified experts with years of first-hand experience in their respective fields and in court.
What does
Expert Defence Services do?
It’s our aim to help you save time and work more efficiently by taking on the laborious, time-consuming task of sourcing the most suitable, highly qualified and highly experienced expert for your case.
Does EDS work on Legal Aid cases?
Does EDS work within LAA guidelines?
Absolutely. We provide a fully itemised quote that adheres to LAA expert guidelines.
Does EDS work for the defence or prosecution?
We work for solicitors, the Crown Prosecution Service, barristers and private clients. Our experts are totally impartial, as you would expect, no matter who instructs them.
What geographical area does EDS cover?
We work for solicitors, the Crown Prosecution Service, barristers and private clients. Our experts are totally impartial, as you would expect, no matter who instructs them.
Does EDS work with with solicitors across the UK or just the nort-east
Our solicitor clients are based across the UK – from the south west to the north east and everywhere in between.
What if i need more than one expert in different disciplines?
No matter the case or discipline, our experienced Account Managers are capable of managing multiple reports and will source all the necessary experts for your case.
Are EDS's experts qualified to give evidence in court?
Always. All of our experts are experienced in giving evidence in court, and all have a wealth of experience in doing so. We adhere to a robust vetting procedure to ensure that all of our experts are leaders in their field and have appropriate experience in assessments and reports for court proceedings.
What if i need further information?
If at any stage you need further information or assistance, our Account Managers are on hand to answer any questions.
How do i secure an expert and their report?
After briefing an Account Manager, and upon receipt of a signed purchase order, we will instruct the relevant expert/s.
How do i make a payment?
Most clients generally use BACS but we also accept cheques. We do not accept credit cards.
Will i have to be present for a client assessment?
You do not generally need to be present when the expert/s carries out their assessment, but on certain matters a third party might be required to attend. We will organise all travel and appointments and ensure that the expert is aware of what is expected of them.
What if i need further information?
If at any stage you need further information or assistance, our Account Managers are on hand to answer any questions.
The Benefits
Of Expert Defence Services
How do i secure and expert and their report?
After briefing an Account Manager, and upon receipt of a signed purchase order, we will instruct the relevant expert/s.
Where will the assessment take place?
Assessments of clients who are not incarcerated can take place at a number of locations including solicitor’s offices, home visits or local healthcare centres.
What are the EDS's timescales?
We pride ourselves on delivering a fast and effective response to all expert witness requirements. Our experts can file reports between two to four weeks from formal instruction. On occasion, we have turned around reports within 24 hours.
How quickly will EDS find an expert for me?
We aim to send you a quote and details of an appropriate expert/s within 24 hours.
How long will take from start to finish?
We will always work within your timescales, so assessments will be carried out and reports sent to you within the time you require them.
What sort of experts can EDS provide?
Our experts work across a broad range of disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, medicine, forensic IT and forensic accountancy. We also have experts in general practice, paediatrics, toxicology, forensic medicine, forensic science, veterinary science and handwriting. However, this list is not exhaustive as we can find an expert in any discipline for your case.
What if i'm not sure about the type of expert(s) i need?
Our Account Managers are skilled in assessing each case to determine the type of expert/s required and will guide you in making a decision. As we provide thousands of reports each year, we’re highly experienced in a variety of cases, including those similar to your own.
Are EDS's immigration experts familiar with the Instanbul Protocol 2004 on torture victims?
We have a number of experts for whom immigration is their area of expertise and all of them are familiar with the Istanbul Protocol 2004.
Are EDS Psychiatry Experts Section 12 qualified?
All of our Psychiatry Experts are Section 12 qualified.
How do i begin getting a report?
Call us on 020 4538 7231 or email [email protected] and we will be happy to source a suitable expert for your case.
What happens once I've instructed EDS to find me an expert?
When we receive your enquiry, we aim to respond within 24 hours with a quote and suitable experts. When you have chosen your expert and sent through a purchase order, we will instruct the expert for your case, making a note of your timescales. You will need to send through any relevant paperwork for the case. Our Account Managers are here to keep you informed and will guide you throughout the process.
How do i know that information i send to EDS will be treated in confidence?
We use the Criminal Justice Secure eMail service in order to receive and send sensitive data in a secure way. EDS is also registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) under the registration reference ZA105571.
What happens when the assessment has taken place?
We will liaise with you at every step of the process to ensure that you are fully informed at all stages. Once the expert has completed the report we will then proofread it and send it over to you.
