MedicoLegal

What This Entails

The Assessment Process

Each assessment involves a detailed, independent evaluation carried out with professional neutrality. The skin condition and scarring are carefully examined, and colour-matching is conducted using a wide range of specialist camouflage products. Skin texture and tone are reviewed under varied lighting to ensure accurate matching. Where appropriate, the client may receive guidance in product use and application techniques; however, in some medicolegal cases, the assessment may focus solely on evaluating existing camouflage suitability rather than providing a practical demonstration.

Following the assessment, a comprehensive report is prepared, outlining suitability, recommended products, and estimated quantities required. All findings are presented impartially to assist the court, whether instructed by claimant or defendant representatives.

Medicolegal instructions are accepted from solicitors, medico-legal agencies and rehabilitation providers throughout the UK.

Expert Witness Gateway
Premex Plus
Speed Medical
UK Expert Medical

Instructions and enquiries from other solicitors, agencies and rehabilitation providers are also welcome.

Consultation Options and Locations

Where possible, a face-to-face consultation is recommended. This allows for:

Obtaining all relevant information required for the CPR 35 compliant report
Assessment, measurements and detailed description of scar texture and tone under varying lighting conditions.
Accurate colour matching using a wide range of camouflage products
Hands-on teaching of application techniques, where appropriate
Immediate feedback and reassurance for the client

Remote consultations are available where face-to-face meetings aren’t feasible, though these have limitations regarding colour matching precision and hands-on instruction. These sessions can still provide valuable assessment of general suitability and discussion of client concerns, and estimating quantum based on photographic evidence.

An in-person consultation is strongly recommended if the case is progressing to a Joint/Single Expert Statement, or where accurate colour matching is required for treatment. These are offered on Saturday mornings at our Bristol Clinic. However, Home visits and appointments at solicitor offices may be arranged throughout the week, with additional travel and accommodation fees.

What To Expect

The Consultation Report

Following the appointment with your client, you will receive a comprehensive report, typically within two weeks. The type of report provided depends on your specific needs:

* Rehabilitation/Treatment Report: This detailed document includes an overview of your client’s assessment, specific product recommendations matched to their skin tone, step-by-step application guidance, estimated costs, and supplier information for trusted sources. It is ideal for rehabilitation purposes, and your client will also receive a version of this report as it provides details of the chosen products and step-by-step guides.

* CPR35-Compliant Medicolegal Report: For those requiring evidence-based documentation for legal purposes, this impartial and comprehensive report details suitability assessment, recommended techniques, and product quantities. A treatment report is often, but not always, included as an appendix. Your client will receive a copy of this for their reference when using/purchasing the chosen skin camouflage products.

The professional time spent in preparing the consultation and reports can take several days, depending on the quantity or medical report documents to be read prior to arranging an appointment, hence allowing a turnaround time of reports being returned within two weeks of consultation.

Remote/Desktop Reports

Whilst desktop (non-examination) reports can be provided, they are not the preferred method. However, for young children who will not be using skin camouflage for several years, a remote/desktop report may be preferable.

A colour match is not of significant benefit as the scar/s may change in terms of size, colour and texture over time due to the scar maturation processes.

Desktop/remote reports can also be very effective when distance is an issue. Many skin Camouflage practitioners are available around the country but do not carry out expert witness work, therefore the remote option can be helpful here, though the quantum is an estimate and will be based on high quality photographs sent via the client and/or solicitors. The report will advise a local appointment with a skin camouflage practitioner.

We strongly recommend communicating directly with the client and/or their Litigation Friend via a remote appointment. This allows us to gather the necessary information to produce a high-quality and effective report, and to discuss the potential value of skin camouflage with the client.

If a remote appointment is not possible, a detailed questionnaire can be sent for the client to complete. However, this limits the depth of exploration possible, particularly around:

Understanding the client’s needs and likelihood of future camouflage use

Explaining camouflage principles, limitations, and potential benefits

Demonstrating product types or assessing suitability

As no accurate colour match can be conducted remotely, this will be clearly stated in the report. Clients will be advised to attend a local appointment for product matching and further education.

If the case proceeds (e.g. requiring a Joint or Single Statement or Court appearance), a face-to-face consultation will be essential to ensure the information provided is accurate, current, and reflective of the client’s latest presentation. This also ensures parity with other experts involved.

Packages

Fees for skin camouflage medicolegal reports are based on the time required to conduct a thorough assessment, review documentation, and prepare a detailed, court-compliant report. These fall into three categories, with a fixed fee, depending on the complexity of the case.

The package will be determined by the expert dependent on the Fee Structure questionnaire.

Package 1

Single Scar

Short records (<100 pages)

Single, straightforward scar or small area

Up to 3 hour consultation

Up to 12 hour report preparation

Package 2

Moderate Case

Moderate records (100-250 pages)

Multiple scars

Up to 3 hour consultation

Up to 16 hour report preparation

Package 3

Complex Case

Extensive records (>250+ pages)

Multiple areas of scarring, or particularly complex impact (eg visible areas, donor sites, hair/scalp involvement)

Up to 5 hour consultation

Up to 20 hour report preparation

Clients or legal teams are welcome to enquire directly to establish which level of service they require. This ensures transparency and fairness while reflecting the time and expertise involved.

Typically, report preparation includes time for:

Reviewing medical documents
Conducting the consultation
Compiling the report, including evidence-based product recommendations and quantum calculations

Payment is required within 60 days of receipt of the report.

As we understand the nature of court proceedings, we are able to offer a deferred payment of up to six months, at the discretion of Skin Camouflage Bristol, upon seeing the case. However, invoices must be settled within this period, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

If longer deferment is essential due to the nature of the case or funding arrangements, we are happy to be instructed via an agency such as Premex+ or Speed Medical. Please note that these agencies may have their own timelines and procedures which can be significantly slower than direct instruction.