Principal Nevena Brown is participating in the LawSense Report Writing Essentials for Mental Health Practitioners series. She will present the following session online at 11.30 am (Sydney time):
Understanding how your report could be challenged, optimising court appearances, and dealing with cross-examination
Understanding Court Processes and Expectations: Producing Files or Documents and What the Court Expects of Witnesses
- Reviewing common Courts and Tribunals practitioners may interact with
- Understanding key court processes – evidence in chief, cross-examination, re-examination and submissions
- Producing files and documents to the Court – examining your obligations and the extent of your rights to limit or prevent disclosure
Responding to Reports from Opposing Practitioners – How Does the Court Navigate Contradictory Opinions?
- Reviewing how evidence is taken from expert witnesses
- Dealing with concurrent expert evidence – “hot tubbing”
- Understanding how a Court considers and weighs up expert evidence – learning from case studies
Exploring How Reports Have Been Opposed or Discredited in Court Proceedings and Dealing with Cross Examination
- Learning from case studies – what aspects of reports have been criticised or attacked including:
- lack of specific qualifications or experience relevant to the issues
- the evidence used for your diagnosis, treatment, or opinion.
- selection and use of testing
- expressing concerns in reports or identifying issues without direct evidence, or commenting on parties you have not directly assessed/treated
- assumptions made or reflected in the report
- advocacy or lack of independence
- evidence adduced from other experts
- Effectively preparing for cross-examination, including dealing with solicitors and barristers
- Understanding what the Court expects from you in cross-examination
- Tips for dealing with cross-examination and re-examination
For further information and to register, please visit: LawSense Report Writing Essentials for Mental Health Practitioners