Training to be a safe expert to the courts - child mental health expert witness course

Thursday - Friday  1 - 2 July 2010

Venue: Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, LONDON, W1G 0AE

This is a continuation of the course that has been run at the RSM annually for the past 10 years. The two-day course for child mental health professionals concentrates on the techniques involved in acting as an expert witness.

The course has four components

Part 1 - lectures on what is required :
- The law pertaining to children
- The Role of the Mental Health Professional / Receiving instruction.
- Assessing children
- Assessing parenting and families

Part 2 - lectures on presenting an opinion:
- Writing a report
- Giving evidence

Part 3 - Seminars based on 'a case'
Before the course, participants are sent details of a case with a set of instructions. At the end day 1 a seminar is held to go through the case to help participants write a report (to be prepared over night if not already prepared). At the start of day two a second seminar examines the issues raised and manner of presentation.

Part 4 - The mock court

On the second afternoon barristers from a good set of chambers hold mock courts at which each participant is invited to give evidence. This is a safe venue in which to practice and participants are given advice about their technique.

Course organizers Dr Claire Sturge
Mr Peter Harris
Dr Johan Redelinghuys
Prof Harry Zeitlin
Mr Charles Prest

Registration Details:
RSM Associate: £210
Exhibitor: Free of charge
RSM Fellow: £280
Social Worker: £230
AHP/Nurse/Midwife: £230
Trainee: £230
Consultant/GP: £340
RSM Trainee: £210

Meeting ref: PYA07

CPD: 10 credits