Expert Witness Testimony Workshop

Overview Senior lawyers and clinicians will provide skills and knowledge to attendees to excel as, or engage with, expert witnesses About this event Psychologists and psychiatrists acting as expert witnesses are tasked with forming and communicating an expert opinion, grounded in clinical expertise, to assist a decision-maker (such as a court or a legal tribunal) regarding a matter of dispute in which mental health factors are potentially relevant. In this two-day workshop, senior lawyers, psychologists, and psychiatrists will provide attendees with the skills and knowledge to become confident in the role of expert witness, or to examine, cross-examine, or otherwise engage expert witnesses, based on the relevant literature and their experiences in law and forensic psychiatry. Day 1 - Hear from seasoned expert witnesses, a senior barrister, and a Supreme Court Justice on what makes effective mental health expert witness evidence and how to prepare and approach oral testimony under examination-in-chief and cross-examination. Topics include • Preparing for and handling cross-examination • Formulating clinical opinions to assist with sentencing • Managing the lawyer/expert interface • Application of relevant Supreme Court Expert Evidence Notes Day 2 - Participants will have opportunity to both observe and practice giving oral evidence and be cross-examined by real barristers in mock court, using a case example from which you will derive your own opinion and recommendations. (See below for further details)* Time and location Graduate House, 220 Leicester St Carlton, VIC 3053 Day 1 (Friday 23/10) 9.30 for 10 am - 4 pm. Day 2 (Saturday 24/10) 10 am - 3 pm. Catering is provided. Please email us at [email protected] for more information. *Day 2 details: The format of Day 2 has changed from previous iterations of this workshop to enhance opportunity for experiential learning. It is intended that all attendees will have opportunity to practice oral testimony, in as real-world a scenario as possible. To achieve this, mental health practitioner attendees will be expected to develop their own written opinion (based on a supplied case study) in advance of the workshop, on which they will be cross-examined. How will this work? • After enrolling in the workshop, you will be provided with your choice of either pre-sentence, mental impairment, or fitness to stand trial case study, in which the main body of the report is complete. • You are asked to complete your own opinion and recommendations section in advance of the workshop. Completed opinions must be submitted no later than 10/10/2026 to allow volunteer barristers sufficient time to prepare their cross examination. • Bring a copy of your opinion on the day, as you would to court. And while it might feel realistic, remember that it is better to practice in a mock setting than to miss the opportunity!