Terms & Conditions

Medicolegal Fees; Terms and Conditions: Agreement to these forms a private contract between ourselves and the solicitor(s).

Re:

I will write an independent, Expert report in the best interests of the child.

Qualifying work (including reasonable travel) and writing of the Report will be charged at £195.00 per hour. Travel and administrative expenses will be charged at cost.

Court attendance as an Expert Witness (including reasonable travel) will be charged at £780.00 per half day (i.e. up to four hours); and at £195.00 per hour thereafter, plus Travel expenses and subsistence at cost. Cancellation of work at less than seven working days notice will incur 50% of expected fees.

If appropriate, setting up any subsequent clinical work through the National Health Service, for children local to our Service, would be based purely on our own clinical judgment, and would not be charged for. Subsequent private clinical work would again be based purely on our own clinical judgment, and is subject to negotiation and agreement.

In line with BMA guidelines, our fees will not be subject to later taxation by the Court.

Fees are due within 45 days of the completion of the Report. The due date is specifically not dependent on when payment is made by the Legal Services Commission or other third parties. In the case of joint instructions, wither each Representative should agree terms in writing, or the Representative writing directly to me assumes responsibility for ensuring payment of the fees. In the case of non-payment we reserve the right to charge interest at the rate of 2% of the amount owed, per month or part thereof after the due date, plus recovery of costs incurred following up non-payment.

I would be grateful if you would confirm your acceptance of these Terms and Conditions in writing as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Malcolm Bourne
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist