Funding your expert instruction
The appropriate funding route should be clear before an expert starts work. We work with solicitors on legally aided and privately funded matters, providing the information needed to define the proposed instruction and agree the scope.
For a Legal Aid instruction, the applicable Legal Aid rates and processes depend on the case and expert category. For a privately funded instruction, the fee is agreed in advance according to the defined work required. In both cases, the estimate should match the scope of the letter of instruction.
Legal Aid instructions
We accept Legal Aid instructions at the applicable Legal Aid rates. We provide a clear, itemised estimate and the expert’s CV to support the relevant Legal Aid route where these documents are required.
Privately funded instructions
We also accept privately funded instructions. Fees are agreed in advance with the instructing solicitor and expert, based on the scope, complexity, records and court timetable for the case.
Funding documentation
For either route, we can provide the information needed to define the proposed work: the expert’s CV, an itemised estimate, and case-specific scope information.
What an expert fee estimate should cover
A clear estimate allows solicitors to assess proportionality, plan the case timetable and, where applicable, use the appropriate Legal Aid process.
Review of the papers, instruction and supporting material before the expert accepts the work.
The clinical, scientific or technical work needed to address the questions in the instruction.
Preparation, review and finalisation of an independent court-compliant report.
Addendum reports, meetings of experts, conferences or court attendance where they form part of the agreed scope.
Prior authority and Legal Aid guidance
Where advance approval is appropriate, it must be addressed before the work is undertaken. Criminal and family matters use different Legal Aid routes, and the current Legal Aid Agency guidance should be checked for the relevant case type.
Expert Witness UK can provide an itemised estimate, expert CV and case-specific scope information to support the relevant process. We do not publish a rate table on this site; applicable Legal Aid rates are confirmed for the individual instruction.
Read the prior authority guide