Personal Injury and Medicolegal Assessments

Lucerna Opinions, founded and headed by HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist Dr Alexander Drake, accepts instructions from both claimants and defendants, insurers and counsel in low- and high-value civil law cases. I am equally comfortable acting on either side or on a jointly instructed basis. My professional duty is to the court, and one of my core personal values is a commitment to the truth – wherever it leads and whomever it favours.

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"I have always found Dr Drake’s reports to be easy to understand and concise. He makes the effort to travel to see clients and will put himself out to see them around their availability. He is always polite and courteous to clients and makes them feel at ease, which is important to them at a difficult time for them. Dr Drake, in my view, addresses the issues requested of him and ensures that his reports reflect what is asked."

Chris Evans Senior Paralegal, Tozers LLP

"I have used Dr Drake both at my current firm and previous firm and have always found the quality of his reports to be fantastic. They are helpful and clear, and he is always willing to answer any queries that arise. The recommendations are always useful and concise. His work is thorough, whilst also keeping client’s limitations in mind. Clients always seem to be at ease talking to Dr Drake. Instruction is always straight forward, with reports being delivered on time. I would have no hesitation in recommending Dr Drake and will continue to instruct him on cases to come."

Jessie Allen Solicitor, Rosie Bracher Solicitors LLP

"We often instruct Dr Drake and will continue to do so in the future. He is very professional and approachable throughout. He carries a compassionate nature immediately making clients feel very at ease which is reassuring for all especially when dealing with very vulnerable clients. Dr Drake’s turnaround times are very competitive and his reports are thorough, clear and concise with recommendations that are of great assistance. He is always willing to answer any questions and share his exceptional knowledge. We would have no hesitation in recommending Dr Drake to anyone seeking a psychological expert."

Michelle Brailey Paralegal, Rosie Bracher Solicitors LLP

"I have instructed Dr Drake on many occasions for the completion of psychological assessments, cognitive assessments, and capacity assessments. He was professional, approachable, and thorough throughout. Assessments are always provided to a very high standard. He is supportive and professional throughout, and the reports were clear, well-reasoned, balanced, and easy to follow. His work was genuinely helpful in informing decision-making and I would not hesitate to recommend him."

Emilie Collis Solicitor, Rosie Bracher Solicitors LLP

"Dr Drake is prompt. He files good clear reports. He comes to our office even though we are 40/50 miles away from civilisation. I cannot speak for his bed side manner as I rarely meet him but I think he is always very friendly and clients seem to like him."

Rose Bracher Solicitor and Partner, Rosie Bracher Solicitors LLP

"Dr Drake has been our “go-to” expert, clients appear to like him and feel comfortable with him. He is always very professional and willing to travel. His reports are clear and precise and always timely. I would highly recommend him."

Lisa McLaughlin Chartered Legal Executive, Rosie Bracher Solicitors LLP

What I assess

I provide independent clinical psychology expert assessments addressing the questions that matter in litigation:

Diagnosis and differential diagnosis (mapped clearly onto diagnostic criteria)
Attribution and contribution (what the evidence supports, and what it does not)
Severity and functional impact (work, daily living, relationships, independence)
Prognosis (evidence-based, with clear caveats where the data is limited)
Treatment need and rehabilitation recommendations (best-practice, proportionate, and realistic)

Where indicated, I can also provide cognitive and neuropsychological assessments.

validity considered as standard

My reports are evidence-based, methodologically clear, and designed to be defensible under scrutiny. At the core of my routine approach, I consider symptom and performance validity – rather than treating them as optional extras or included only as a superficial ‘credibility paragraph’ within the report.

Some psychological presentations can be – and at non-trivial rates are – easily imitated or exaggerated; questions of validity are too often under-explored in personal injury psychology reports, especially in lower-value cases. I address these issues carefully and fairly, distinguishing between inconsistency, non-credible performance, and clinical diagnosis, and I state precisely what the evidence does and does not show.

What you can expect from my reports

A transparent process: what I reviewed, what I did, why I did it, and how I reached my conclusions.
Findings clearly mapped onto diagnostic criteria, including where criteria are not met and why.
Balanced reasoning: I consider alternative explanations and the limitations of the available evidence.
Evidence-based prognosis: grounded in established clinical knowledge and the specifics of the case, not assumption.
Best-practice treatment recommendations: practical, proportionate, and linked directly to formulation and need (often written so they can be implemented without ambiguity).

How I Work

Scope And Questions

I clarify the legal questions, timescales, and what would make the report most useful.

Records Review

I examine the relevant documentation and identify any key gaps.

Assessment

Interview plus psychometrics where indicated, with explicit attention to validity.

Analysis And Report

A structured opinion linking evidence to diagnosis, causation, functional impact, prognosis, and recommendations.

Court

If required, I provide clear, robust oral evidence focused on the issues before the court.

Coverage

Based near Exeter, Lucerna Opinions provides in-person expert psychological assessments across the Greater South West and along the M4 and M5 corridors. Remote assessments are available for more distant cases and where appropriate.

Instructing me

To proceed efficiently, please provide:

Letter of instruction and the specific questions to be addressed
Relevant records (GP/therapy records, prior reports, occupational history/absence data where relevant, witness statements as applicable)
Key dates (incident, onset, treatment chronology, litigation timetable)
Any areas of dispute (diagnosis, causation, severity, prognosis, validity)