Terms of engagement

These terms apply to every medico-legal instruction accepted by Dr Yameen Qureshi (GMC 4771627) unless varied in writing before the instruction is accepted. They are published so that instructing agents can see the basis of the engagement before sending a letter of instruction.

1. Overriding duty to the court

The duty of the expert is to the court or tribunal and overrides any obligation to the instructing agent or to the party paying the fee. Opinion is given independently and is not adjusted to suit the instructing party's position.

2. Acceptance and conflict check

An instruction is accepted only after a conflict check against the examinee, the pursuer, the defender, treating clinicians and any institution involved. Where a conflict or a previous treating relationship exists, the instruction is declined.

3. Scope

The report answers the questions posed in the letter of instruction. Questions outside general adult or addiction psychiatry — for example forensic risk formulation requiring a current NHS forensic caseload, neuropsychological testing, or orthopaedic causation — are identified and referred on rather than answered outside competence.

4. Records

Opinion depends on the records supplied. Where material records are missing the report will say so and will identify the limits this places on the opinion. A supplementary report may be required once further records are produced.

5. Fees and payment

Fees are charged on the basis agreed in writing before the instruction is accepted, and are payable by the instructing agent whether or not the action succeeds and whether or not expenses are recovered. [CLIENT TO CONFIRM: payment terms in days, interest on late payment, VAT position, Legal Aid / SLAB position.]

6. Cancellation

An appointment cancelled or postponed at short notice may attract a cancellation fee, and a report cancelled after records have been reviewed is charged for work done to that date. [CLIENT TO CONFIRM: notice period and cancellation charges.]

7. Attendance at proof or tribunal

Attendance is charged separately, on a basis agreed in advance, and requires reasonable notice of the diet. Where a diet is discharged at short notice, reserved time may be charged. [CLIENT TO CONFIRM: attendance rates and notice periods.]

8. Consent and confidentiality

The examinee's informed consent is taken at the assessment and is recorded in the report. The examinee is told at the outset that the assessment is not treatment, that no doctor–patient treating relationship arises, and that the report goes to the instructing agent.

9. Risk disclosure

Where an assessment discloses a material risk to the examinee or to others, the usual professional duties apply and disclosure may be made to the appropriate clinician or authority, so far as GMC guidance requires.

10. Data protection

Records and reports are handled as set out in the privacy policy, in accordance with UK GDPR and the practice's ICO registration.

11. Copyright and use

Copyright in the report remains with the author. The report is prepared for the instruction stated in it and may be used for the purposes of that action or matter only.

12. Limits of the instruction

The report is an opinion on the material available at the date of writing. It is not a treatment plan, not a diagnosis for clinical purposes, and does not carry an ongoing duty to review unless a supplementary instruction is accepted.

Fee levels and turnaround are set out on fees and timescales. Last reviewed: 1 September 2026.