Questions from instructing parties.

Yes. A suitably qualified and trained Hand Therapist can act as an expert witness on injuries and conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. The practice's founding expert, Ms Michelle Razo, holds Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) status and the Cardiff University Bond Solon Civil Expert Witness Certificate, gained through the full suite of Bond Solon Expert Witness training. Reports are prepared in accordance with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules and oral evidence at court is available.

Yes. Every report is prepared in accordance with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules and the associated Practice Direction. The overriding duty is to the court rather than to the instructing party. Opinions are formed on objective clinical assessment and evidence-based specialist knowledge.

The practice reports on the full spectrum of hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder injury. Common conditions include fractures, tendon injuries, nerve injuries, amputations, crush injuries, repetitive strain injuries (RSI), hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), carpal tunnel syndrome and the outcomes or complications of surgery. The full conditions list is set out on the Conditions page.

Not always. The practice is led by a Consultant Hand Therapist with advanced differential diagnosis skills, and can often be instructed as the first port of call for a hand or upper limb injury. Diagnosis, function, rehabilitation and prognosis are all addressed within one expert opinion. Where the question does not turn on surgical management, this can avoid the cost and delay of a separate surgical opinion. Where a surgical opinion is required, that will be flagged.

Yes. An Advisory Report is a short, focused opinion at the start of a case. It helps an instructing party decide whether the hand, wrist or arm injury, causation and prognosis are likely to support a claim before commissioning a full CPR Part 35 report. Where a full report is then warranted, the advisory work informs its scope and saves time downstream.

A Functional Capacity Assessment measures and quantifies the impact of an injury on range of movement, manual dexterity, sensation and strength. It documents pain and fatigue and their effect on the Claimant's ability to perform occupational and daily living tasks. An expert witness report sets those findings within an independent, CPR Part 35-compliant opinion that is admissible in legal proceedings, addressing causation, prognosis and the duty owed to the court. The practice provides both, and functional findings can be presented within a report that meets the standards required for litigation.

Both options are available. In-person examination at one of the scheduled clinics is appropriate where the case turns on clinical findings that must be made first-hand. Records-based opinion is suitable for desk-based review, supplementary opinion, or where the Claimant cannot reasonably travel. The decision is made at the point of instruction and confirmed with the instructing party.

The practice accepts instructions from across the United Kingdom. Scheduled in-person clinics run in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Belfast. Where in-person examination is not required, records-based reports can be provided anywhere in the UK.

Turnaround is agreed at the point of instruction and varies with the complexity of the case. Urgent reports can be completed in as little as fourteen days. Contact the practice for exact timings on a specific instruction. Supplementary questions can be addressed by addendum.

Yes. The practice is independent, with no institutional conflicts of interest. Instructions are accepted from Claimant solicitors, Defendant solicitors and insurers alike. Opinion is formed solely on objective clinical assessment, in keeping with the duty owed to the court.

Yes. The practice's founding expert, Ms Michelle Razo, is available to attend Court or tribunal to give oral evidence. Expert joint discussions and joint statements under CPR Practice Direction 35 are part of the work. The Bond Solon Expert Witness training held by the practice covers Court procedure and cross-examination.

Yes. Most instructions come from solicitors and insurers, but initial enquiries from individuals and litigants in person are welcome. The same duty to the court and the same CPR Part 35 standards apply regardless of who instructs.