What a forensic report writer does

A forensic report writer conducts a mental health assessment of individuals involved in criminal proceedings.

Under sections 23, 35 and 38 of the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003, and section 88 of the Sentencing Act 2002, courts are enabled to order and consider forensic reports.

These reports help the court to determine one or more of the following:

  • whether a person is fit to stand trial
  • whether a person is insane within the meaning of section 23 of the Crimes Act 1961
  • the type and length of sentence that might be imposed on a person
  • the nature of any requirement that the court may impose on a person as part of, or as a condition of, a sentence or order
  • whether preventive detention should be imposed.

Forensic reports are written by registered psychiatrists and psychologists.

Refer to the ‘Forensic reports guidance sheet [PDF, 151 KB]’ for information for health assessors working with adults.

Panel of Forensic Report Writers

The Ministry's Panel of Forensic Report Writers service (the Panel) is a list of approved forensic report writers from across the country for court staff to use. The Panel is referred to by court staff when a Health NZ – Te Whatu Ora report writer is unable to provide a forensic report under sections 23, 35 and 38 of the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003, and for reports under section 88 of the Sentencing Act 2002.

From July 2026, the Ministry of Justice is looking for new psychologist and psychiatrist report writers to join the Panel. A tender will be advertised on GETS, in July, on how to apply to join the Panel.

Frequently asked questions about the Panel

Does the assessment of the defendant need to be in person?

Assessments can be conducted in person or, with the prior written approval of the court, remotely (e.g. Audio Visual Link). The Ministry is looking for report writers from any location in Aotearoa New Zealand.

What type of contract will be used?

The Ministry has established Website Terms for forensic report writers on the Panel. Once you are approved by the assessment panel, the Ministry will offer you a place on the Panel. Acceptance of a Service Order issued under the Website Terms (which is a request for specific services) is acceptance that you will provide the required services in accordance with the Website Terms. However, you must have a current approval before you accept a Service Order and before you can receive payment.

Why has this demand arisen?

Through custom and practice, the majority of section 38 and around half of section 88 reports have been provided to the courts by Te Whatu Ora. However, due to the shortage of psychologists and psychiatrists, additional report writing resource is required.

 What is the hourly rate?

There is no hourly rate. Instead, there is a fixed fee per completed forensic report. In exceptional circumstances, the report writer can submit a request to the court registry for additional fees to be paid, including where the report is expected to be more time-consuming due to complex circumstances. 

For more information about the fixed fee, refer to the Website Terms.

Is there a chargeable fee for when a defendant does not attend scheduled appointments? (Commonly known as a defendant non-attendance (DNA))

 

Yes, an approved forensic report writer can request a one-off fixed payment when a defendant fails to attend a scheduled appointment or if you have not been able to arrange an appointment, if certain criteria are met. More details about the defendant when a non-attendance fee may be payable are outlined in the Website Terms.

Can I claim expenses?

 

An approved forensic report writer can apply for certain allowable expenses that may be incurred during the report writing process, such as mileage. Written prior approval must be sought for some expenses, so we encourage you to discuss this with the court registry that requests your services. More details about allowable expenses are outlined in the Website Terms. 

Can I claim for travel time?

 

Travel time over and above the first hour can be claimed in some circumstances. More details about allowable travel time are outlined in the Website Terms.

What happens after I’m approved and added to the Panel?

 

The Ministry will place your name and contact details on the Panel registry for the court registry to access and if you have indicated to write for the Parol Board, your details will be shared with the Parol Board.

The Panel has been established to assist the court to select an appropriate report writer. The court staff will use the prioritisation framework to determine if a report should be produced by either Te Whatu Ora or a Panel report writer. If a forensic report writer from Te Whatu Ora is unable to provide a report, court staff will use the Panel to find a report writer.

The Ministry cannot guarantee any future work for the approved forensic report writer by being on the Panel.

 

For more information, refer to the Priority Guidelines for Forensic Reports. [PDF, 151 KB]

 

What if I am not in a region where these reports are needed, will I still be asked?

 

The Ministry is open to people completing reports remotely and so we are looking for people in all regions of Aotearoa New Zealand.

 

Am I obliged to complete all report requests?

 

If you are contacted about providing a report and at that time you are not available, you can decline to complete the report. However, we expect you to advise the court as soon as possible if you are unable to do the report, for example due to a conflict of interest or unavailability. Some timeframes are legislative and have significant consequences if they are not met, so the court needs to know immediately if it needs to make alternative arrangements.

What’s the expected turnaround time to complete the report?

 

The court will set an expected time for when the report is required in its request for services (engagement request), and the completion date will be agreed via the finalised Service Order. If a case is complex, the due date should be discussed with court staff.

Please note that for specific reports, such as reports ordered under section 23 and section 35 of the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003, these reports must be completed within 30 working days of the order made by the court.

For more information, refer to the Priority Guidelines for Forensic Reports [PDF, 151 KB].

 
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