LAW7207

Psychiatry, psychology and the law

(LAW)

Dr Bernadette McSherry

Synopsis: 1. Civil law: examines the involvement of psychiatrists and psycologists in assessing mental conditions arising from personal injuries in tort law as well as mental competency for the purposes of guardianship and civil commitment legislation and in relation to consent to treatment. 2. Psychiatrists' and psychologists' involvement in the criminal law: assessments for the purposes of law relating to fitness to stand trial, insanity, automatism, infanticide and sentencing. 3. Evidentiary issues pertaining to psychiatrists and psychologists giving expert testimony in the courtroom; admissibility of expert evidence, the ultimate issue rule and use of psychological syndrome evidence.

Assessment: Research assignment (3000 words): 40% + Class participation: 10% + Take home examination (3750 words): 50%