Instructing Dr Simpson
Instructions, appointments and reports
Dr Simpson’s medico-legal practice is managed by her PA, Mrs Sorelle Hartley, who is the first point of contact for solicitors and claimants.
How a case runs
Contact Mrs Hartley
Send the letter of instruction by email, or phone to discuss the case, timescales and fees. Brief informal advice on a potential case is available free of charge.
Send the records
Mrs Hartley will confirm what is needed. Medical records and other documents are handled as set out in the terms of business and privacy notice.
Examination at Spire Leeds
For condition and prognosis reports, Dr Simpson examines the claimant in person at Spire Leeds Hospital. Urgent appointments can usually be arranged.
The report
A CPR Part 35-compliant report is sent to the instructing solicitor.
After the report
Dr Simpson answers Part 35 questions, attends conferences, meets other experts to prepare joint statements and gives evidence in court.
Types of report
| Report | How it is prepared |
|---|---|
| Condition and prognosis | Always includes a face-to-face examination at Spire Leeds Hospital. Dr Simpson does not prepare condition and prognosis reports from the records alone. |
| Causation only | Can often be prepared from the medical records, without an examination. |
| Supplementary reports, Part 35 answers and joint statements | Prepared from the papers following the main report. |
Dr Simpson does not carry out home visits.
Attending an appointment
Dr Simpson’s consulting rooms are at Spire Leeds Hospital, Jackson Avenue, Leeds LS8 1NT. The hospital is easy to reach by car or public transport, with ample parking and good facilities for people with disabilities. Directions to Spire Leeds Hospital
For claimants travelling a long way, we suggest coming to Leeds the night before, as many people with chronic pain find this less tiring. Mrs Hartley can advise on transport, directions and local accommodation.
Medical reporting organisations
Dr Simpson accepts instructions through medical reporting organisations that keep their mark-up within the level recoverable from the other side. She does not accept instructions through organisations that charge experts a levy on their fees. Recovering that levy would mean charging some solicitors more than others for the same work.
If you normally instruct through an agency, please check with Mrs Hartley first, or instruct Dr Simpson directly.
Court availability
Dr Simpson keeps an online calendar of her availability for court. Mrs Hartley keeps it up to date and can send instructing solicitors a link, so you can check dates at any time.
Terms and privacy
The terms of business, which apply to instructions accepted from 1 November 2026, set out how records and documents are handled, standard waiting times, usual report turnaround, appointment arrangements, and all fees and expenses, including cancellations. Fees are reviewed annually.
Contact
Mrs Sorelle Hartley
PA: appointments, instructions, records and invoicing
- Mobile
- 07850 207468
- Direct
- 0113 218 5674
- Spire
- 0113 269 3939
Dr Karen H Simpson
Consultant in Pain Medicine