Citation

Samuels AH. Australas. Psychiatry 2018; 26(3): 248-251.

Affiliation

District Clinical Director Mental Health, Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Wagga Wagga, NSW, and; Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales Rural Clinical School, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1039856217753815

PMID

29400548

Abstract

OBJECTIVEs This paper provides an overview for general and forensic psychiatrists of the complexity and challenge of working in the civil medico-legal arena. It covers expert evidence, ethics, core concepts in civil forensic psychiatry and report writing.

CONCLUSIONS Civil forensic psychiatry is an important sub-speciality component of forensic psychiatry that requires specific skills, knowledge and the ability to assist legal bodies in determining the significance of psychiatric issues.

Language: en

Keywords

civil forensic psychiatry; class actions; negligence; psychiatric injury; torts