Areas of expertise
The questions our consultant forensic psychiatrists are instructed to answer, in criminal, civil, family and tribunal proceedings.
Fitness to pleadWhether a defendant can participate in their trial, assessed against the Pritchard criteria.Psychiatric defencesAn overview of fitness to plead, insanity, automatism and diminished responsibility.InsanityMental state at the time of the offence under the M'Naghten Rules, and the special verdict.AutomatismWhether the act was involuntary, and whether the cause was internal or external.Diminished responsibilityThe partial defence to murder under section 2 of the Homicide Act 1957, as amended in 2009.
Mens rea and capacity to form intentWhether a mental disorder bore on the defendant's capacity to form the intent the offence requires.
Sentencing and hospital disposalsReports for sentence, including hospital, restriction and hybrid orders under sections 37, 41 and 45A of the Mental Health Act 1983.Risk and dangerousnessStructured risk assessment, including for the dangerousness provisions at sentence.
Effective participation and special measuresWhat a vulnerable but fit defendant or witness needs in order to take part fairly.
Parole BoardPsychiatric reports on risk and treatment needs for parole proceedings.
Mental Health TribunalIndependent psychiatric reports for the First-tier Tribunal (Mental Health).
Family court and Court of ProtectionParental mental health in care proceedings, and capacity questions before the Court of Protection.
Civil and personal injuryPsychiatric injury, causation and prognosis in civil claims.
Professional disciplinary hearings and extraditionPsychiatric evidence for regulatory panels and extradition proceedings.
Not every expert in the group covers every area. When you make an enquiry we allocate the case to the consultant best placed to take it, and tell you who that is with the quote. Each expert's practice areas are listed on their profile.
Not sure whether we can help?
Informal enquiries are welcome before a decision to instruct is taken.