Legal proceedings can be a difficult and traumatic experience that asylum seekers frequently face.

This conference will explore the process of writing court reports and the emotional and psychological impact on professionals and their clients.

The role of the expert in such proceedings is complex but the evidence can be of the greatest importance.

This seminar will also discuss the areas that need to be addressed in reports and will offer suggestions as to the way this kind of evidence can be presented, particularly focusing on issues of credibility and predicted psychiatric and psychological consequences of forced return.

Appropriately anonymised examples of reports will be distributed which will then be a basis for more general
discussion.

This conference is suitable for all professionals working with refugees and asylum seekers, including clinical psychologists, social workers, counsellors, psychotherapists and psychiatrists.

David Bell, a Consultant Psychiatrist in the Adult Department, has considerable experience as a psychiatric expert in immigration tribunals and is regularly instructed by leading Human Rights lawyers. His evidence has been highly praised in immigration courts and has been crucial in many determinations. He has also lectured to Immigration Judges on the assessment of psychiatric evidence.

Chair
Jo Stubley, Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy and Head of the Adult Trauma Service

Convenor
Linda Young, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Psychoanalyst and Head of
the Adolescent Trauma Service

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