In the context of criminal law and the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983, there remains much confusion in the wider legal profession regarding the differences between forensic mental health sections, including Hospital Orders (Section 37), Restriction Orders (Section 41), and Hybrid Orders (Section 45A). In this article, we will outline the difference between each order, […]
Read moreThere is a significant burden of mental health disorders within the prison population. Typically about one in seven prisoners in western countries have psychotic illnesses or major depression. Frequently those suffering an acute episode of a mental illness have limited inside into the nature of their condition or the need for therapeutic intervention. The provisions […]
Read moreWhat is expert witness evidence? Expert witness evidence is not needed in all legal proceedings but it plays an important part in many cases. Instructing an expert witness is not unusual—there are many much-publicised cases where the role of expert evidence has been significant. The involvement of expert witnesses in famous expert witness cases often […]
Read moreIn this post, we explain what an expert witness report is and why you might need one An Expert Witness Report (also known as a medico-legal or medico-legal) report, is a report which is written by a doctor or another health professional for legal proceedings. A medico-legal report is the written evidence of a medical or […]
Read more“Working as an expert witness psychiatrist is a varied, demanding and rewarding job” For a forensic psychiatrist, it is an expected outcome of one’s training. When a psychiatric expert trains as a forensic psychiatrist, there is specialist training for in the preparation of expert testimony. Forensic psychiatrists learn how to prepare written and oral evidence. […]
Read moreThe psychiatric expert is one of the most commonly instructed professions when seeking expert witness testimony. As a psychiatric expert, you are often called to give evidence in criminal proceedings, civil proceedings and family proceedings. There are actually very few proceedings that will not require an expert psychiatrist at some stage so it can be […]
Read moreIn this post, our expert Dr Stephen Attard talks about what it is like to work as a prison psychiatrist. With the media spotlight very much on mental health in prisons, we speak to one of our experts about his own experiences working as a prison psychiatrist. Dr Attard leads the prison mental health in-reach service […]
Read moreHow situational crime reduction helped Scotland with reducing knife crime Dr Andrew Iles shares his thoughts on reducing knife crime in Scotland through the use of situational crime reduction. The annual conference of the forensic faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists is an important date in the calendar for many forensic psychiatrists. In March […]
Read moreIn 2019, The Court of Protection handed down two linked judgements which set out the considerations when assessing mental capacity to use social media and the internet. What to consider when assessing an individual’s Mental Capacity When our experts assess capacity, they are required to assess the person’s capacity for a particular decision. Guidance for […]
Read moreDuring court cases, expert testimony is often required to build a strong case. If you think you need to hire an expert witness this post can help. Who can be an expert witness? An Expert Witness is a person who has specialised knowledge which qualifies them to give expert opinions in legal proceedings. In mental […]
Read moreIn spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to support our customers and clients during this unprecedented time. Our experts will continue to provide high quality expert witness services. We have technology in place to support video assessments to ensure that we can maintain our service. Please call if you have any questions about our contingency plans.
