For lawyers, insurers and courts
Independent, impartial assessment you can rely on.
Expert neuropsychological assessment and reports for legal and insurance matters, written to be understood and to withstand scrutiny.
When a matter turns on a person's thinking, memory or capacity, you need an assessment that is independent, thorough and clearly reasoned.
Our duty in every matter is the same: to assist the court or decision-maker with an honest, independent opinion, owed to the matter rather than to either party. We set out our reasoning, our sources, and the limits of the opinion plainly. Assessments are conducted in Southport and across the Gold Coast, and by telehealth where appropriate.
What it addresses
What an assessment can address
A medico-legal neuropsychological assessment objectively measures thinking skills and addresses the questions a matter turns on. Depending on your instructions, an assessment can address:
- The cognitive effects of an injury or condition (for example traumatic brain injury, stroke, hypoxia, or toxic or occupational exposure), and which thinking skills are affected
- The relationship between an event and a person's current difficulties, including the contribution of other factors
- Decision-making capacity for a specific decision, where that is in issue (see our capacity assessment page)
- Fitness, function and prognosis, including implications for work capacity, care needs and future treatment
- The consistency and validity of presented difficulties, using recognised measures of effort and engagement, which is a routine and expected part of medico-legal practice
- A reasoned opinion on the questions posed, with its basis and its limits set out plainly
An assessment describes and quantifies cognitive function and provides a reasoned opinion. The matter itself is decided by the court, tribunal, insurer or parties, who weigh the report alongside other evidence. We are explicit about what the assessment can and cannot establish.
When it is sought
The matters we are engaged for
We accept instructions from either party and from courts directly.
- Personal injury and CTP (compulsory third party motor accident) claims involving head injury or cognitive complaint
- Workers' compensation matters, including WorkCover Queensland and self-insurers
- Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) and military-related matters
- Total and permanent disability (TPD), income protection and life insurance assessments
- Capacity, guardianship and estate matters, including testamentary capacity
- Family law matters where cognitive function or capacity is relevant
- Criminal and forensic matters where a neuropsychological opinion is sought
- Requests for an independent opinion or a review of an existing report
What is involved
From instruction to report
- Instructions and documents. You provide a clear letter of instruction with the questions to be addressed, and the relevant records (medical, imaging, prior reports, statements). We confirm scope, timeframe and fee before proceeding, and we raise any conflict of interest at the outset.
- Assessment. A clinical interview and a session of standardised testing, including recognised measures of effort and engagement. We document the conditions of testing.
- Analysis. Scoring and interpretation set against appropriate normative data, and consideration of the records and the alternative explanations.
- Report. A clearly reasoned written report that addresses your questions, states the basis for each opinion, and sets out the limits of the assessment.
Plan for a morning or an afternoon for the assessment, sometimes longer in complex matters. Where required, we are available for conferences, to answer supplementary questions, and to give evidence.
“An expert's duty is to the court, not to the party who instructs.”
What you receive
A report written to withstand scrutiny
A structured, clearly reasoned report that sets out the instructions, the records reviewed, the assessment conducted, the findings, and a reasoned opinion on each question posed, with its basis and its limits stated plainly. The report is written to comply with the relevant expert-evidence requirements and to be understood by a non-clinical reader. We address validity and effort directly, and we are explicit where the evidence does not allow a firm conclusion.
Cost & funding
Quoted against your instructions
Medico-legal and forensic work is charged at the current Australian Psychological Society recommended hourly rate, calculated against your letter of instruction and the material to be reviewed. Time for conferences and to give evidence is charged at the same rate. Fees are the responsibility of the instructing party and are confirmed in writing before we proceed.
Discuss a matter
To discuss a referral or request a quote, call 0452 452 262 or use the Request a quote form, and tell us the type of matter and the questions to be addressed. Letters of instruction and records can be sent to referrals at brainandmind.com.au, or shared securely once we confirm the matter.
Request a quoteSources: Federal Court of Australia, Expert Evidence Practice Note (GPN-EXPT) and the Harmonised Expert Witness Code of Conduct. Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld), expert-evidence provisions and the relevant court rules on the expert's duty to the court. Australian Psychological Society, Ethical guidelines on reporting and providing expert opinion / forensic assessment. Bush SS, et al., Symptom and performance validity assessment in neuropsychology.