David Kraft PhD: Experienced Medico‑Legal Advisor
David Kraft PhD has spent many years working in medico‑legal settings. In that time, he has established himself as a knowledgeable and trusted specialist in providing background analysis, expert insight, psychotherapeutic support, and forensic opinions to legal professionals. He is fully available and happy to work with barristers, solicitors and judges throughout the process.
How Psychotherapists / Psychologists Contribute in Medico‑Legal Contexts
1.
Background information and case formulation
- Gathering detailed case histories, psychological “life‑timeline” reviews, trauma or stress exposures, developmental records, medical and social history.
- Identifying psychological vulnerabilities, resilience factors, relevant diagnoses, or cognitive/emotional sequelae of injury or trauma.
- Providing narrative formulation that helps the legal team understand the individual’s mental health profile.
2.
Specialist support and consultation
- Advising solicitors or barristers on likely psychological impacts, what further assessments are required, or the realistic boundaries of mental health testimony.
- Guiding instructions on psychometric testing, medico‑legal interview approaches, or treatment planning as mitigation or rehabilitation input.
3.
Specialist witness / expert witness testimony
- Producing forensic‑standard reports compliant with UK legal frameworks (e.g. Civil Procedure Rules Part 35, Criminal Procedure Rules, Family Procedure Rules).
- Attending court to give oral evidence, explain findings, diagnoses, or risk assessment results, and respond to cross‑examination.
- Ensuring impartiality and objectivity; avoiding over‑statement or supplanting the jury’s decision‑making role.
- Clarifying how specific psychological phenomena (e.g. memory, trauma, suggestibility) may affect credibility, but without telling the court what the verdict ought to be.
4.
Report writing
- Structuring independent expert reports that present assessment methods, observations, diagnoses, test results, risk formulations and clinical opinions clearly and professionally.
- Offering Single Joint Expert (SJE) reports or opposing‑party assessments as needed.
- Including recommendations for treatment, rehabilitation or capacity support when appropriate.
5.
Multi-disciplinary team work
- Collaborating with medico‑legal solicitors, barristers, neurologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, occupational therapists, social workers or other allied professionals.
- Participating in multi-disciplinary meetings to integrate psychiatric, psychological, cognitive and social perspectives on complex cases such as brain injury, sexual abuse, or trauma.
- Serving as a psychological consultant within larger medico‑legal teams or rehabilitation programmes.
6.
Psychotherapeutic support and rehabilitation
- Providing direct therapy (e.g. CBT, trauma-informed psychotherapy, EMDR, supportive counselling) to individuals before, during or after legal proceedings.
- Supporting clients coping with ongoing distress, trauma-related symptoms, PTSD, anxiety or depression triggered or exacerbated by litigation, compensation proceedings, family or criminal court processes.
- Helping clients to manage stress, preparation anxiety or giving testimony, improving overall well‑being and engagement with the legal process.
The Value of David Kraft PhD for Legal Teams
- Experience and expertise: Dr Kraft brings an established track record of medico‑legal report writing, expert testimony, and multi-disciplinary liaison in civil, family, immigration or personal‑injury cases.
- Flexibility: He can assist in stages ranging from initial case formulation through full psychological assessment, therapy, multi-disciplinary consultation, and court testimony.
- Support to legal professionals: He works collaboratively with barristers and solicitors, advising on client strategy, questions to ask, and psychological implications of evidence.
- Judicial support: Judges benefit from having a clear, fair, objective psychological voice explaining issues such as mental capacity, trauma, recovery prognosis, risk, or vulnerability in vulnerable witness cases.
Table: Roles for Psychologist with Legal Representatives
| Role | What the Psychotherapist Offers |
| Background / formulation | Detailed case history, trauma, psychological narratives |
| Specialist consultant | Advising legal teams on areas like diagnosis, testing |
| Expert witness | Court‑compliant report writing, oral testimony |
| Report preparation | Independent assessment, clear findings and recommendations |
| Multi‑disciplinary teamwork | Liaising with lawyers, medical and rehab professionals |
| Therapeutic support | Psychotherapy to support coping, testimony readiness |
In Conclusion
David Kraft PhD has demonstrated long‑standing involvement in medico‑legal work—producing expert reports, advising legal teams, working within multi‑disciplinary frameworks, offering specialist witness testimony, and providing therapeutic interventions when needed.
He is fully available and happy to offer his services to barristers, solicitors and judges, helping ensure that psychological and psychotherapeutic expertise is fully integrated into the pursuit of just and informed legal outcomes.
Please do not hesitate to contact Dr Kraft if you’re seeking informed psychological input—from initial case analysis through therapy and courtroom testimony.