Psycho-legal Services - Practice as a Forensic Psychologist in Northern Ireland

Since inception of M.V. Psychology Consultancy Ltd. in 2006 and throughout trading as S.G.P. Psychology Associates Ltd., FACET Forensic Psychology Services Ltd. and FAR DORCHA Forensic Psychology Services Ltd., the companies have offered psychological services in forensic arenas for Courts, Solicitors, Barristers and other organisations in a range of areas including;

• Criminal cases – both Prosecution and Defence
• Risk Assessment of Offenders (9 years experience of working as a Consultant for the Lifer Management Unit, Northern Ireland Prison Service, from 2000-2009; 28 years working with offenders in Secure Units, Special Hospitals, prisons and secure psychiatric facilities; specialising in offenders who have committed violence offences and homicide, sexual offences, arson, domestic violence and stalking/harassment offences)
• Civil cases
• Family & Child Care cases
• Mental Health Tribunal cases
• Personal Injury cases
• Employment/Occupational Health cases (6 years experience as a Consultant for the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland, from 1999-2005)
• ‘Case Review’ in Negligence cases
• Specialist Assessment of Survivors of Childhood Abuse and Domestic Violence
• Psychological Autopsy/Inquiry cases

The Company provides both psychological opinions via reports, professional and expert witness testimony for Court Proceedings and consultations with organisations about case management. Furthermore, Dr. Pollock has experience of working in forensic settings and arenas since 1990 and has been a member of the United Kingdom Register of Expert Witnesses for 21 years. A list of Court Judgements whereby Dr. Pollock has given evidence can be obtained on request.

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PROCEDURE FOR INSTRUCTION

An ‘instruction’ request for psycho-legal services can be made via the ‘Contact Us’ link. Once the request has been;

• The Company Secretary/Clinical Lead will contact the instructing party to clarify the nature of the work requested, the context of the case and provide details of financial issues and time-scales for completing the work itself
• A ‘Terms of Engagement’ contract [which adheres to the recommendations and guidelines of the U.K. Register of Expert Witnesses’ guidance] will be offered which defines the financial status of the work and agrees terms for the work itself between instructing party and the Company. In this way, the expectations, roles and obligations of the parties are concretely agreed
• The Company Secretary will make request for formal Letter of Instruction/Referral, process the case to appointment and communicate with the Instructing party’s offices to obtain all case materials that will be necessary to complete the work as agreed
• At all times, the Company will respond to enquiries about the case within 3 working days by telephone or email (dependent upon special circumstances such as holidays etc.).
• The finished report will be provided both by email in the first instance and the ‘hard copy’ and fee note will be sent by post within 24 hours after completion of the report to the instructing party
• Attendance at Court, Hearing or Tribunal will be agreed in advance with 2 weeks notice