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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Hannah Summers

New guidance aims to restrict use of unregulated psychologists as expert witnesses in court

Joint consultation of lawyers and services to clients at the lawyer office
The guidance is designed to ensure that psychologists acting as expert witnesses in court are practising professionals rather than academics or researchers. Photograph: AmnajKhetsamtip/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Family judges who appoint unregulated psychologists as expert witnesses in the courts should issue a judgment to explain their decision, according to updated guidance designed to protect the public from inadequately trained professionals.

Crucially, additions to existing joint guidance from the Family Justice Council and the British Psychological Society (BPS) also set out the distinction between a psychologist who is registered with the regulator, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and an academic psychologist who would not have the same clinical competencies.

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