The Mental Health Act 2016 (Queensland) commenced in March 2017. It allows Magistrates to resolve a significant proportion of matters previously referred to the Mental Health Court. The Act thus places greater responsibility on lawyers appearing before Magistrates. In this workshop you will be able to observe and, if you choose, to participate in:
- A Panel discussion about Magistrates’ powers to determine fitness for trial;
- A Panel discussion about Court Liaison Officers and their reports;
- A Panel discussion about the clinical and legal issues relevant to fitness for trial; and
- A Moot where a barrister cross-examines an experienced forensic psychiatrist, acting in the role of a Court Liaison Officer or psychiatrist who has prepared a court report on fitness for trial, about a report on “fitness for trial”.
Panel
- Dr Jane Phillips – psychiatrist, Court Liaison Service, Queensland Health;
- Dr Velimir Kovacevic, psychiatrist, Court Liaison Service, Queensland Health;
- Joseph Briggs, Counsel, LAQ; and
- Dr Russ Scott, psychiatrist, Prison Mental Health Service, Queensland Health
