Approved alcohol and other drug report writers' service

On this page:

• Overview
• Find an approved AOD report writer
• Information for lawyers
• Information for AOD report writers on the panel
• How to apply to join the AOD report writer panel
• Make a complaint about the AOD report writers' service
• Procurement questions and answers

Overview

The Ministry of Justice established the approved alcohol and other drug (AOD) report writers’ service (the service). The service launched on 28 August 2026. 

AOD reports are ordered by judges or requested by lawyers to assist with sentencing decisions. They provide specialist assessments that help inform sentencing decisions and identify treatment and rehabilitation options. As part of the assessment, AOD report writers interview the person about their alcohol and other drug use and willingness to engage with rehabilitation services. They may also speak with other people who know the person.

The service provides access to a nationwide panel of qualified and approved AOD report writers. The panel is used for court-ordered AOD reports and is also available to Legal Aid and Public Defence Service lawyers

Find an approved AOD report writer

Search for an approved AOD report writer using this finder tool: Approved AOD report writer finder

Information for lawyers

Legal aid and Public Defence Service (PDS) can use the approved AOD report writers' panel. Guidance to support legal aid lawyers engaging and working with panel report writers is available here: Guidance for legal aid lawyers - AOD service [PDF, 182 KB]

Information for AOD report writers on the panel

For information for the approved AOD report writers on the panel, including invoicing and rates visit: Information for AOD report writers on the panel

How to apply to join the AOD report writer panel

For information on how to apply to join the AOD report writer panel, visit: How to apply to join the AOD report writer panel

Make a complaint about the AOD report writers' service

For information on how to make a complaint about the AOD report writers' service, visit: Make a complaint about the AOD report writers' service

Procurement questions and answers

Questions submitted to the Ministry and the Ministry's responses are published on Procurement questions and answers, so that everyone has access to the same information.