Independent expert evidence
Litigation reports and expert assessments
Nellie Supports provides independent expert evidence on mental capacity, care needs, future care costs and life expectancy for legal proceedings and complex disputes.
We work with solicitors, deputies, insurers and families across England and Wales, matching each instruction to the right professional and a clearly defined question.
Clear instructions. Evidence-led analysis. Independent professional opinion.
Your instruction at a glance
Who we support
Solicitors, deputies, insurers and families
What we assess
Capacity, care needs, future costs and life expectancy
How we work
Assessment, records review or a coordinated package
Fees and timing
Confirmed against the scope before instruction
England & Wales
Coverage
Case-specific
Scope and quotation
Independent
Expert opinion
Agreed in writing
Report deadlines
Understanding expert evidence
Expert evidence that answers the question in your case
An expert report is a reasoned professional opinion addressing a defined question within the author's expertise. It should make the evidence and reasoning clear enough for others to examine.
The right report depends on the issue before the court or the decision being considered. A capacity opinion, a projection of care costs and a review of an existing report answer different questions and may require different expertise.
We clarify the purpose, relevant date, evidence available and intended use before work begins. The report then explains the material considered, the method used and the reasoning behind the opinion, including gaps or limitations that affect the conclusion.
Independence comes first
Where CPR Part 35 applies, the expert's duty to assist the court overrides their obligation to the party instructing or paying them. We explain what the evidence supports, including findings that may not favour the instructing party.
Find Your Mental Capacity Assessment in 60 Seconds
Not sure which assessment you need? Our quick finder helps you identify the right mental capacity assessment for your situation. Answer a few simple questions about the decision type, and we'll recommend the most appropriate service. Or browse all assessment types below.
Care needs and future costs
1 service
Evidence of the support a person needs and the costs of meeting those needs over time.
Future Care & Costings Report
Assessment of current and future care needs, the support required and the associated costs.
Quotation on request
Life expectancy
1 service
Individualised life expectancy analysis for cases where future duration matters.
Life Expectancy Report
An individualised expert opinion on life expectancy, with the evidence, assumptions and reasoning explained.
Quotation on request
Capacity in legal proceedings
1 service
Assessment of the person's ability to make the decisions involved in their legal matter.
Capacity to Litigate Assessment
Assessment of the person's ability to conduct the legal proceedings in question.
Quotation on request
Disputed and historical capacity
3 services
Detailed assessment, historical analysis and scrutiny of existing capacity evidence.
Enhanced Mental Capacity Assessment
A detailed assessment for complex or disputed decision-making where more extensive enquiry is needed.
Quotation on request
Mental Capacity Critical Review
Independent scrutiny of an existing report's evidence, methodology and conclusions.
Quotation on request
Retrospective Mental Capacity Assessment
An opinion on capacity at a specified time in the past, based on the historical evidence available.
Quotation on request
Personal injury capacity
1 service
Decision-specific assessment following injury, where cognition or communication may affect decision-making.
Personal Injury Capacity Assessment
Decision-specific capacity evidence following injury, tailored to the questions in the instruction.
Quotation on request
Statutory will evidence
1 service
Coordinated assessment evidence for a Court of Protection statutory will application.
Statutory Will Assessment Package
Coordinated capacity, care and life expectancy evidence for a statutory will application, with the components agreed at instruction.
Quotation on request
Choose the right report
Choose the evidence your case needs
Start with the question that must be answered, then select the type of instruction.
Report or assessment | Suitable for | What is included |
|---|---|---|
A current capacity assessment | A person's ability to make a defined decision now | Direct assessment; relevant background evidence; decision-specific findings |
A retrospective capacity opinion | Capacity at a particular date in the past | Historical records; witness material; analysis of evidential limitations |
A critical review | The quality of an existing capacity report | Review of methodology, evidence and reasoning; identified gaps and points requiring clarification |
Care needs and future costs | The person's support needs and likely care expenditure | Needs assessment; care recommendations; cost assumptions and projections |
Life expectancy evidence | The duration relevant to future planning or loss | Individual circumstances; medical evidence; transparent methodology and uncertainty |
A statutory will package | Coordinated evidence for an application | Agreed combination of capacity, care and life expectancy evidence |
Discuss the case
Tell us the issue, who the report concerns, the stage of proceedings and any deadline. We identify the report or combination of services that may be appropriate.
Agree scope and fees
We confirm the questions, relevant dates, required records, professional expertise, deliverables and timescale in writing before the instruction proceeds.
Assessment and evidence review
The allocated professional reviews the relevant material and, where needed, meets the person with appropriate support for communication and participation.
Analysis and report preparation
The report separates evidence from opinion, explains the reasoning and identifies any limitations. Our internal review checks clarity, structure and evidential reasoning.
Secure delivery and follow-up
The report is delivered to the agreed recipient. Any further clarification, expert discussion, additional report or court attendance is scoped according to the needs of the case.
From enquiry to report
How to instruct an expert report
Transparent reporting
What your expert report should make clear
The precise format follows the instruction and applicable procedural requirements.
The instruction, questions and relevant dates
The author's qualifications and scope of expertise
Records, information and sources considered
Assessment methods and support for participation
Findings and the distinction between fact and opinion
Reasoning, assumptions and alternative explanations
Conclusions, limitations and further evidence needed
Required declarations and supporting appendices
A single report or review
Add a Title
A focused instruction to answer a defined question, assess a particular decision or review existing evidence.
The quotation confirms the report type, records, assessment arrangements, VAT and any travel charges.
A coordinated evidence package
Add a Title
Several related questions may require complementary reports, such as care needs, costs, capacity and life expectancy.
We agree which elements are needed and how they fit together. Additional work is scoped separately.
Scope and fees
Fees reflect the work your case requires
A written quotation sets out the agreed scope. We do not apply one generic assessment fee to every expert report.
Preparing your instruction
Information to send with an enquiry
A short, clear instruction helps us identify the right professional and avoid gaps.
The question and legal context
State what the report must address, the relevant date and the intended use. Include a letter of instruction or relevant directions where available.
The evidence available
Identify records, prior assessments, medical opinions and other material already held. Tell us about material that is missing or disputed.
The person and practical arrangements
Provide the person's location, communication needs and any arrangements necessary for an appropriate assessment.
Dates and deliverables
Tell us the required report date, any hearing or filing deadline, and whether further expert work may be needed.
For individuals and families
We explain which assessment may help, what information is needed and what the report can address. Where legal proceedings are involved, we can coordinate with your solicitor so the instruction is clear.
For solicitors, deputies and insurers
We scope the evidential question, relevant records and deadline at the outset, allocate an appropriately qualified professional and provide a structured report with transparent reasoning.
Who we support
Support for families and instructing professionals
The same commitment to clear, independent evidence applies whoever makes the enquiry.
Why instruct Nellie Supports?
Defined professional scope
The instruction is matched to the question and the expertise needed to answer it.
Evidence you can follow
Reports explain how the information considered leads to the professional opinion.
Independent conclusions
Opinions reflect the evidence and acknowledge uncertainty or gaps.
Coordinated communication
Scope, practical arrangements and deadlines are agreed through one practice.
In a personal injury matter, a solicitor may need to understand both whether a person can conduct proceedings and what support they will require in the future.
A capacity assessment addresses the person's decision-making ability. A care needs and costings report addresses support and expenditure. Where duration is material, a separate life expectancy opinion may also be needed. Agreeing these questions early helps keep each report focused.
Illustrative scenario only; this is not a client case or a claimed outcome.
How reports fit together
One case can need more than one kind of evidence
Your questions
Litigation and expert report FAQs
What types of expert reports do you provide?
Our services include capacity to litigate assessments, enhanced and retrospective capacity assessments, critical reviews, personal injury capacity assessments, future care and costings reports, life expectancy reports and statutory will evidence packages.
Are reports prepared for court use?
We confirm the intended use and required format at instruction. Where CPR Part 35 applies, the report is prepared to those requirements. Different proceedings may have different rules and directions; a report does not itself guarantee permission to rely on expert evidence.
Who can instruct Nellie Supports?
We receive enquiries from solicitors, professional deputies, insurers, case managers and families. Where proceedings are underway, a clear instruction coordinated with the legal team helps define the questions and evidence required.
How do I choose between a new assessment and a critical review?
A new assessment gathers evidence about the person's decision-making. A critical review examines the quality of an existing report. We can discuss which task matches the question you need answered.
What does a retrospective capacity assessment consider?
It considers capacity at an identified date in the past using the material available from that period. The opinion must explain the quality of that evidence and any limits on the conclusion.
Does an enhanced assessment guarantee a particular finding?
No. An enhanced assessment allows more detailed enquiry where complexity warrants it. The conclusion remains independent and follows the evidence.
How much will the report cost?
The fee depends on the report type, complexity, records and work required. We confirm the quotation, VAT treatment, travel and any additional work in writing before instruction.
How long does a report take?
Timescales depend on the instruction, records, assessment arrangements and complexity. Tell us any deadline at the first enquiry so we can confirm what is achievable.
Can several reports be coordinated?
Yes. Some matters require complementary evidence, such as capacity, care costs and life expectancy. We agree the necessary components and responsibilities before work starts.
What happens after delivery?
Further clarification or additional expert work can be discussed with the instructing party. Any expert meetings, supplementary reports or attendance requirements should be identified and scoped.
Our professional standards
How professional governance and report quality are supported within the practice.
Meet the team
Learn about the people delivering our assessments and reports.
CPR Part 35
The official Civil Procedure Rules on experts and assessors.
Further reading
Guidance and professional standards
Mental capacity assessments
Explore the wider range of decision-specific capacity assessments.
Social care and case management
Independent social care assessment and ongoing support.
NHS Continuing Healthcare support
Support with CHC assessment and review processes.
Related Nellie Supports services
Discuss your case
Tell us what your case needs to establish
Send us a brief outline of the case, the questions to be answered, the records available and any deadline. We will confirm the appropriate service, professional, scope, fee and timescale in writing.
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