Medico-legal and Court-ordered reports
Dr Janina Szyndler has extensive experience of assessing parents and children, writing reports, and providing testimony before the Court particularly relating to parenting matters, family law, and allegations of abuse. She also provides specialist reports in relation to individuals, children, and young people with developmental disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, or other special needs.
Michelle Tanious, Elizabeth Byron, and Mabel Hui all undertake assessments of parents’ mental health, adaptive functioning/cognitive ability, and other factors that impact their parenting when these are requested in family law, child protection proceedings or, by DCJ.
Staff at Apex Psychology are also able to complete reports in relation to Criminal Court, Guardianship issues, and Immigration.
If you require a report for any legal matters, the formal request should come through your solicitor. Once they contact us, we can establish whether we can provide a report and agree on the fees. The fees for reports vary.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Dr Szyndler can provide Single Expert Reports, which are ordered through the Court.
Parents and children (and sometimes grandparents or new partners) may need to have a Family Report to assist the Court in working out where the children should live and how they spend time with the parent that they do not live with. Referrals should come through the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia or via lawyers representing individuals.
Children’s Court
In the Children’s Court parents or caregivers, and children may need to be assessed regarding possible allegations of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or neglect of children. Referrals should come through the NSW Children’s Court Clinic, Community Services, or occasionally from legal representatives of the parties involved.