Solicitors who need to instruct a psychologist in a family matter may be wondering what to do after recent media coverage of the report from Professor Jane Ireland.

It would be easy if there were one simple marker of an appropriately qualified professional. Unfortunately, the situation for psychologists is complicated. In July 2009, the Health Professions Council (HPC) was given statutory responsibility for the registration of applied psychologists. From August 2012, only psychologists who are registered with the HPC may use a protected title. There are nine such titles, including clinical psychologist and forensic psychologist. The British Psychological Society (BPS) confers the title of ‘chartered psychologist’ on those who meet appropriate professional qualifications and experience. Both of these qualifications can very quickly be checked online at the websites for the HPC and the BPS.

Note that neither the HPC nor the BPS is able to protect the basic title of ‘psychologist’. A psychologist who is registered with the HCP and/or a chartered member of the BPS is definitely a fully qualified psychologist and currently in practice. But it is possible for a psychologist to be fully qualified and in practice without either being registered by the HPC or chartered by the BPS. Furthermore, registration by the HPC or chartered status with the BPS does not qualify a psychologist as an expert witness.

When reviewing the CV of an expert you are thinking of instructing, look for: publications in peer-reviewed journals on topics of relevance to your case; evidence of ongoing continual professional development; teaching and supervision of other psychologists; representation on professional committees; membership of related professional bodies such as the Expert Witness Institute; and continuing professional practice that relates to the case. This practice does not have to be in an NHS or local authority post.

We are all hard pressed for time in these days of cuts to legal aid but what really helps is a quick telephone call to the expert and some discussion with them about the case. Describe what you need and why it is needed and ask the expert whether they have acted in similar cases. Sometimes this discussion can really narrow the issues for the letter of instruction - and it should give you an answer as to whether this psychologist is right for this case.

Dr Kari Carstairs, clinical psychologist, Carstairs Psychological Associates, Bromley, Kent