The role of an expert witness in parenting matters is to assist the court as a neutral. This paper reviews the rules governing psychologists as expert witnesses and identifies the different roles of psychologists. It also highlights the limitations of the psychologist expert, and provides tips for retaining a psychologist in a family law matter. As well, parenting assessments are also discussed, including preparing a client for an assessment, the components of an assessment, and post-assessment preparation for trial.

This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law Trial Fundamentals program in Calgary on November 17, 2016 and in Edmonton on November 22, 2016.