Specialist Capacity Assessment for Legal Professionals and Organisations in New Zealand

The Capacity Clinic provides independent, evidence-based capacity assessments and medicolegal reports for lawyers, health providers, and the Family Court. Assessments are conducted by a consultant Psychiatrist with specialist training in cognitive disorders, complex presentations, and a thorough understanding of medicolegal standards. We offer structured, defensible assessments that align with New Zealand legislation and accepted clinical practice.

  • The Capacity Clinic services include:

    • Enduring Powers of Attorney (appointing or revoking)

    • Welfare guardianship and property management orders

    • Testamentary capacity

    • Retrospective capacity assessment

    • Capacity to litigate

    • Other legal or clinical capacity questions

  • What is provided with your service:

    • Access to a specialist

    • Independent and impartial

    • Comprehensive clinical assessment

    • Structured, legally aligned reporting

    • Suitable for use in court proceedings

    • Nationwide coverage

  • What a typical assessment includes:

    • Review of medical, psychiatric, and cognitive factors
      affecting decision-making

    • Evaluation for reversible contributors - such as delirium,
      mood disorders, medical and psychiatric problems, or medication effects

    • Review of available investigations (blood tests, imaging, specialist reports)

    • Comprehensive clinical interview

    • Standardised cognitive assessment using validated tools

    • Collateral interviews with family, caregivers, or involved professionals

    • Home-based assessment, or clinic rooms by arrangement

  • A detailed medicolegal report is provided at completion. Reports are structured and depending in the purpose may address:

    • The relevant legal test(s)

    • Clinical findings

    • Cognitive assessment results

    • Analysis of functional impact on decision-making

    • Opinion on capacity expressed in clear, defensible terms

    Reports are suitable for submission to legal practices, medical services, trustees, and the Family Court.

  • $550 per hour + GST

    This rate applies to:

    • Assessment time

    • Cognitive testing

    • Collateral interviews

    • Review of medical records and investigations

    • Preparation of the medicolegal report

    Travel time may be billed where applicable. A typical assessment including report preparation generally requires 3–6 hours, depending on complexity. A written estimate can be provided on request.

Who We See
The Capacity Clinic accepts referrals from:

  • Solicitors and law firms

  • Hospitals and medical specialists

  • The Family Court

  • Government or statutory agencies

We are unable to accept direct referrals from members of the public. While we are based in Christchurch, assessments are available nationwide, with travel or remote consultations arranged as required.