A judge has made a scathing attack on psychiatrists who charge “exorbitant” fees to provide reports in straight forward cases.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said it was time to ask psychiatrists “what planet they were living on?” after hearing quotes of more than £1,000 were being given to provide a report in the case of a man who is waiting to be sentenced for handling stolen goods.

“I am horrified and distressed to hear psychiatrists in a fairly straightforward case seem to be holding for exorbitant sums which no head of the legal team would possibly expect to receive,” said Judge Durham Hall.

“It is absolutely time, I’m afraid, to say to these distinguished people in the medical profession ‘which planet are you living on?’ Get a grip and move into the real world.

“There just isn’t the money to pay these exorbitant fees.”

Judge Durham Hall, sitting at Bradford Crown Court yesterday, was told by barrister Simon Myers that the Legal Services Commission had refused to pay more than £600 for the defence report, but the quotes given were all around the £1,000 mark.

“The Legal Services Commission, I hope the Bar will forgive me for saying, are entirely right,” said the judge.

Mr Myers had requested the court order a report in his client’s case, but the judge rejected his application.

The judge said a figure of far less than £600 was “perfectly adequate”.

“I’m sorry it will not wash,” he said.

“People are going to be losing their jobs... and £1,000 for a report that doesn’t go to the central issue in the case is outrageous.”

Mr Myers pointed out that £1,000 was four times the amount which the solicitors instructing him would be paid.

Judge Durham Hall said he was extremely disappointed and irritated by the situation. The sentence hearing is due to take place in February.

Peter Nelson, regional director of the Legal Services Commission, said work was being done to try to reduce the costs of medical reports.

He said: “We are planning to run a joint pilot with the Department of Health that aims to agree the use of expert medical witnesses teams so as to improve the availability and cost of these important witnesses.”