Where a person is detained under the Mental Health Act, the Mental Health Tribunal provides an independent review of whether detention, a community treatment order or guardianship should continue.
These hearings turn on careful clinical questions about the nature and degree of any mental disorder, the risk a person may pose, and whether the legal criteria are met.
The clinical and forensic psychologists and consultant psychiatrists at Psychology and Psychiatry Experts provide clear, independent assessments, working to Legal Aid rates.
Mental Health Tribunal
Independent psychological and psychiatric evidence for mental health tribunal proceedings.
How we support tribunal decisions
Need help finding the right expert?
Psychologist or psychiatrist? The right expert depends on the questions in your case. Speak to our team and we'll guide you to the most appropriate discipline and expert - usually the same day.
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What our tribunal assessments cover
- Adult, child and adolescent mental health
- Forensic mental health, including restricted and secure patients
- Severe and enduring mental health problems
- Complex or co-occurring personality disorder
- Risk to self or others
- Neuropsychological assessment where relevant
Meet our Mental Health Tribunal experts
Indira Josling
Psychologist
London and surrounding counties
Indira Josling is a Consultant Clinical & Forensic Practitioner Psychologist, a BPS Chartered Psychologist and a BPS Associate Fellow. She is a BPS Registered Expert Witness, and has over 7… Read more
Dr Oladimeji Kareem
Psychiatrist
Wales
Dr Kareem is a Consultant Psychiatrist currently working with the Herefordshire Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT), in a specialist neurobehavioural rehabilitation setting for people with Acquired Brain Injury, a specialist… Read more
Ms Gail Dee
Psychologist
South East, London, Surrey
Ms Gail Dee is a registered Counselling Psychologist registered with both the Health Professions Council and British Psychological Society. She has over 16 years’ experience working as a Psychologist and… Read more
Dr Natalie DeWeever
Psychologist
Manchester plus 1 hour
Dr DeWeever is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health Care Professionals Council with over 10 years’ experience working in the field of mental health. She has a wealth… Read more
Dr Nomir Ahmed
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Ahmed is a highly qualified and skilled Chartered Counselling Psychologist with over 15 years’ experience working within the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS). His current role is as… Read more
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr. Sonia Borghino is a Chartered and HCPC-registered Psychologist with over 20 years of experience working across a range of forensic settings. These include prisons, the NHS, the probation service,… Read more
Dr Prakash Raviraj
Psychiatrist
Cheshire and Surrounding Counties
Dr Raviraj is an independent consultant forensic psychiatrist based in Manchester. He is hospital medical director at Cygnet Hospital, Wyke, Yorkshire. He is a medical member of the First Tier… Read more
Dr Rebecca Slinn
Psychiatrist
Bristol and Surrounding Counties
Dr Slinn has 25 years’ experience practicing in general adult and old age psychiatry; She has been a consultant for 17 years with a wide range of experience in hospital,… Read more
Dr Chris Ainsworth
Psychologist
South England
Dr Ainsworth is a consultant clinical psychologist with who has worked extensively in forensic mental health, adult mental health and adolescent services. He provides reports for criminal and forensic courts,… Read more
Dr Thomas MacEwan
Psychiatrist
Scotland
Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist for 20 years. Experienced in medico legal assessments in Old Age Psychiatry, including Testamentary Capacity. Experienced in giving evidence in court. Read more
Dr Sara Simblett
Psychologist
London and the South East
Dr Simblett is a clinical psychologist and director of her Neurocognitive Clinic in London. She is committed to the provision of neuropsychological assessment, neurorehabilitation, and psychological therapy that is offered… Read more
Dr Peter Lydon
Psychologist
North West England
Dr Peter Lydon has been qualified as a clinical psychologist since 2013, and has worked in the NHS in the field of child and family mental health for 15 years,… Read more
Dr Elena Makovac
Neuropsychologist, Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr. Elena Makovac is a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology and an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist specializing in neuropsychological assessments and rehabilitation. With a focus on neurological conditions such as… Read more
Mr Seshagiri Nimmagadda
Psychiatrist
Middlesex and Surrounding Counties
As a Forensic Psychiatrist Mr Nimmagadda as the expertise in assessing the risk of harm to others. He regularly conducts assessments and gives his opinions to various Courts and Tribunals… Read more
Dr Lisa Nolan
Psychologist
North East England and Midlands
Dr. Lisa Nolan has over 20 years’ experience working in the field of adult mental health and is skilled in conducting specialised psychological assessments and delivering integrative assessments to a… Read more
Dr Chike Okocha
Psychiatrist
Kent and Surrounding Counties
Dr Okocha has been a consultant psychiatrist for nearly 25 years and prior to his appointment spent several years as a clinician and academic researching various aspects of mental illness.… Read more
Dr Sara Morgan
Psychologist
South Wales and Surrounding Counties
Dr Sara Morgan is a Clinical Psychologist. She currently works in a locked rehabilitation hospital with patients who are detained under the Mental Health Act, where she is employed as… Read more
Dr Nisha Gupta
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Gupta has been working as a qualified clinical psychologist for over 15 years. During this time, she has worked in a variety of specialisms – adult mental health, psychological… Read more
Dr Amna Salman
Psychologist
Essex and Surrounding Counties
Dr Amna Salman is an HCPC registered Forensic Psychologist who has been working in the field of mental health for over 15 years. She has specialised in working with adults… Read more
Dr Livia Pontes
Psychologist
South of England
Dr Livia Pontes is a Clinical Psychologist with a multicultural background. She specialises in the assessment and treatment of a wide variety of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorders,… Read more
Dr Niollie Brown
Psychologist
Northampton and Surrounding Counties
Dr Niollie Brown is a Clinical Psychologist and Systemic Family Psychotherapist with over 15 years’ experience working with individuals of all ages. She has worked in a number of clinical… Read more
Dr Alexander Drake
Psychologist
Exeter and Surrounding Counties
Dr Alexander Drake is an HCPC registered clinical psychologist who specialises in expert opinion. He has worked in adult and older adult mental health, substance misuse, learning disability, neurorehabilitation, functional… Read more
Dr Rachel Edwards
Psychologist
Bedford and Central England
Dr Rachel Edwards is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with eleven years post-qualification experience in mental health, forensic mental health and prison settings. She specialises in assessments and interventions for adults… Read more
Dr Samuel Newton
Psychologist
Sheffield and Surrounding Counties
Dr Newton is a Clinical Psychologist & CBT Therapist with over 15 years’ experience in the NHS and working privately. He has worked across the lifespan with people experiencing depression,… Read more
Dr Sarah Hartley
Psychologist
South of England
Dr Sarah Hartley is a Clinical Psychologist and expert witness specialising in adult mental health, personality disorders, developmental trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, non-accidental injury and failure to thrive. She has… Read more
Dr Tracy Rydin-Orwin
Psychologist
South West England
Dr Tracy Rydin-Orwin specialises in perinatal psychology and trains and lectures in parent-infant attachment. She specialises in the assessment and treatment of children and parents with complex needs including mental… Read more
Dr Vidyah Adamson
Psychologist
Lincolnshire
Dr Vidyah Adamson has worked within the NHS since 2002. She is the current East Midlands Regional Lead for Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) Services for NHS England and is… Read more
Dr Lydia Rodney
Psychologist
Kent and Surrounding Areas
Dr Lydia Rodney is an HCPC registered Consultant Clinical Psychologist with 15 years post-qualification experience working in both adult mental and physical NHS services. Her experience in severe and enduring… Read more
Dr Faisal Mir
Psychologist
Birmingham and Midlands
Dr Faisal Mir is an Independent Chartered Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years qualified experience working with adults presenting with mild, moderate, and severe mental health problems. He has significant… Read more
Dr Dominique Newsome
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Dominique Newsome is a Clinical Psychologist with experience of working within a variety of multidisciplinary CAMHS and Child Development services. She works predominantly in ethnically diverse and low socioeconomic status regions… Read more
Dr Heather Dyson
Psychologist
Surrey, London, Reading
Dr Dyson is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with extensive experience working within the NHS and Charity sector. She provides comprehensive psychological assessments, formulation, and therapeutic interventions, for individuals whom have… Read more
Dr Sarah Kriakous
Psychologist
Wales
Dr Sarah Kriakous is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS), Division of Clinical Psychology and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). With… Read more
Dr Marc Desautels
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Marc Desautels is a clinical psychologist specialising in the assessment and treatment of adults with complex mental health and personality problems, routinely assessing forensic risk. He currently works with… Read more
Dr Emma Stevens
Psychologist
Worthing, Brighton, Eastbourne, Bognor, Hastings, Folkestone, Maidstone, Crawley, Guildford, Sevenoaks, Horsham
Dr Stevens is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with seven years of post-doctoral experience and over ten years of experience of working in mental health services. Dr Stevens currently works as… Read more
Dr Sunita Rajput
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Sunita Rajput is a Highly Specialist Counselling Psychologist with over ten years of experience working with adults and families in clinical, NHS and private settings. She has worked with… Read more
Dr Pardeep Grewal
Psychiatrist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Grewal has expertise in general psychiatry and addictions. He also has expertise in the specialist areas of ADHD and PTSD. His research interests include novel treatment for alcohol disorders,… Read more
Dr Mats Dernevik
Psychologist
London and Manchester and Surrounding Areas
Dr Dernevik has worked as a Clinical and Forensic psychologist for 30 years encompassing forensic mental health services, prison services, academic combining clinical with research and academic lectureships. He currently… Read more
Esther John
Psychologist
London and Southern Home Counties
Esther M. John is a clinical and forensic psychologist with over 19 years of experience working with individuals and groups, both locally and abroad. Her experience of work is within… Read more
Dr Sonia Nagi
Psychologist
Surrey and South East
Dr Sonia Nagi is a clinical psychologist with extensive experience in forensic, adult mental health and learning disability, working clinically for over 18 years in both in-patient and community services.… Read more
Dr Natalie Hiser
Psychologist
London, South East, South West
Dr. Natalie Hiser specialises in the psychological assessment of adults with complex difficulties and provision of clinical and risk assessments for both the criminal and family court. With over 20… Read more
Dr Louis Monaco
Psychologist
London, South East, South West
Dr Monaco has prepared many reports for the family/criminal courts in the United Kingdom and over 200 reports for court proceedings within the United States of America. He has considerable… Read more
Dr Donna Rooney
Psychologist
Midlands and North East
Dr Rooney is a Clinical Psychologist working with adults with mental health or personality difficulties who have experienced trauma or who have a diagnosis of PTSD. She has worked therapeutically… Read more
Dr Marta Lopez
Psychologist
South of England
Dr Marta de Madariaga Lopez is a chartered Clinical Psychologist specialising in the assessment of adults and parents within the family courts where there are concerns about parenting, mental health,… Read more
Dr Ana Reis
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Ana Reis is a Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years of experience with children, adolescents and adults in different settings including children and adolescents mental health, learning disabilities, paediatrics… Read more
Dr Chris Millar
Psychologist
Liverpool and surrounding areas
Dr Chris Millar is an HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist working across NHS and private-sector psychological services. He has experience in adult mental health, forensic and high-secure services, learning disabilities, physical… Read more
Dr Elizabeth Elliott
Psychologist
London and Greater London
Dr Elliott is a HCPC and BPS registered Doctor of Forensic Psychology with an interest and expertise in the assessment and management of high-risk offenders both in custody and in… Read more
Dr Charlie Brazil
Psychologist
Dr Charlie Brazil started working in the field of psychology in 2012. Since qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist she has specialised with children adolescents and families/parents and, at present, Dr… Read more
Dr Adam Jarvis
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Adam Jarvis specialises in the clinical assessment and treatment of adult mental health problems including trauma, psychosis, personality disorder, complex anxiety and depression. He also undertakes neuropsychological assessments of… Read more
Dr Fraser Smith
Psychologist
Scotland and Remote
Dr Smith is an HCPC registered counselling psychologist. He works with one to one and couples mental health in therapy and conduct expert witness clinical assessments. His experience has been… Read more
Dr Charlotte Whiteley
Psychologist
London + 1 hour
Dr Charlotte Whiteley is a chartered counselling psychologist specialising in adult mental health, physical health conditions, eating disorders, gender identity, anxiety and depression. She has worked within the NHS for… Read more
Dr Prasad Kalakala
Psychiatrist
Greater Manchester and Surrounding Counties
Dr Prasad Kalakala is a Consultant Psychiatrist, with specialism in Old Age Psychiatry. He gained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of NTR health sciences India. He… Read more
Dr Devika Colwill
Psychiatrist
London, Brighton
Dr Colwill is a general adult Consultant Psychiatrist, with over 18 years of clinical experience in mental health. She has been a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists since… Read more
Dr Sarah Dawes
Psychologist
Can travel between London, Manchester and Newcastle
Dr Sarah Dawes is a Forensic Psychologist who qualified in 2014. She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), Chartered with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and… Read more
Dr Elinor Sason
Psychologist
London and South East
Dr Elinor Sason is a Consultant Counselling Psychologist specialising in assessment and intervention of parents, children, couples and families. She works extensively with children with developmental and attachment disorders as… Read more
Dr Ashish Arora
Psychiatrist
Leicestershire and Surrounding Counties
Dr Arora has been a Consultant with the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust since August 2003. From January 2015 to July 2020, he has primarily had an outpatient responsibility after the… Read more
Dr Paul Lewis
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Paul Lewis specialises in the assessment and treatment of adults and adolescents with mental health problems, trauma and PTSD. He offers psychological interventions to individuals involved in catastrophic trauma… Read more
Dr Chris James
Psychologist
Wales
Dr. Chris James is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with 14 years’ experience working within a diverse range of NHS settings (Adult Mental Health, Youth Service, Specialist Sleep Centre) with adolescents… Read more
Dr Saad Al-Khalaf
Psychiatrist
Hampshire and Surrounding Counties
Dr Al-Khalaf has considerable experience gained in all branches of psychiatry. He has taken on a number of research projects particularly in depression and organic psychiatry, and is considered a… Read more
Dr Claire Ogilvie
Psychologist
Glasgow
Dr Ogilvie is a registered Clinical Psychologist and holds chartered status with the British Psychological Society. She is currently employed by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde as a Consultant Clinical… Read more
Mr John Dowsett
Psychologist
London and South East England
John Dowsett specialises in the assessment of individuals and parents within the criminal and family courts. He has specialised in the assessment of parental risk and is expert in the… Read more
Dr Miriam Naheed
Psychiatrist
North West England
Dr Miriam Naheed’s general professional training included all relevant experience, associated with a rotational training scheme centred upon a university department of Psychiatry. This included experience in the assessment and… Read more
Dr Elena Arora
Psychologist
Nationwide - except Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire
Dr Arora is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with a professional background in primary and secondary mental health care settings. She currently specialises in working with complex family and individual cases… Read more
Dr Andrew Derry
Psychologist
London, South England, Midlands
Dr Derry is a clinical psychologist, family therapist and expert witness specialising in the study and assessment of child development and its relationship to parental functioning, adult attachment, the parent-child… Read more
Dr Simon Draycott
Psychologist
London and South of England
Dr Simon Draycott has worked for the last thirteen years at Broadmoor Hospital. He regularly undertakes forensic risk assessments specialising in the assessment of violence, domestic violence and sexual risk. He has… Read more
Dr Ewan Perry
Psychologist
Greater Manchester / North West / Yorkshire
Dr Ewan Perry is a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in learning disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. He has worked for over ten years in the NHS developing… Read more
Joanna Ciesielska
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Joanna Ciesielska is a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist with expertise in providing psychological and therapeutic interventions to children, young people and adults with complex mental health needs. She works with… Read more
Dr Paola Carr-Walker
Psychologist
South of England
Dr Carr-Walker is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist who had worked since 2006 at Broadmoor Hospital in the Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder service and in the Personality Disorder Pathway.… Read more
Dr Hannah Farr
Psychologist
London, Bristol, Oxford and Surrounding Areas
Dr Hannah Farr is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with experience working with children, adults and families across diverse clinical settings including acute wards and medium-secure units. She specialises in providing… Read more
Dr Kai Wong
Psychologist
Surrey and surrounding counties
Dr Kai Wong is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with extensive experience in forensic, acute, and community settings. Dr Wong is skilled in psychological assessment, risk evaluation, and report writing for… Read more
Dr Muhammad Iqbal
Psychiatrist
London and Southern Home Counties
Dr Iqbal worked as a consultant psychiatrist at an NHS Low Secure hospital for twenty years until his retirement in January 2022. He now completes over 60 medical reports a… Read more
Dr Fanny Black
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Black is a HCPC registered Senior Forensic Psychologist currently running an established private practice. As an independent expert, Dr Black prepares around 50 reports per year for the Family… Read more
Dr Tosin Adekunle
Psychiatrist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Adekunle regularly prepares Tribunal Reports and attends Mental Health Act Tribunals on behalf of his clients, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice. He regularly operates as a… Read more
Dr Peter Schaapveld
Psychologist
London and South East
Peter Schaapveld is a Chartered Clinical and Forensic Psychologist specialising for 28 years in forensic mental health and criminal psychology. He has worked extensively with offenders in secure settings and… Read more
Dr Alessandra Cappai
Psychiatrist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Cappai is a fully registered medical practitioner, with over ten years of experience working in psychiatry. She is approved by the Secretary of State for the purposes of section… Read more
Shubhika Singh
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Shubhika Singh is a dual-licensed Clinical Psychologist (RCI India & HCPC UK) with 8+ years of clinical experience across NHS, forensic, health in justice, secondary mental health services and private… Read more
Dr Esther Borrett
Psychologist
Suffolk, Essex and London
Dr Esther Borrett specialises in psychological assessments of children and young people 0-25 years, interpretation of those findings and report writing, including psychological advice to inform statutory work in connection… Read more
Dr Chess Denman
Psychiatrist
Cambridgeshire and Surrounding Counties
In 2012 Dr Denman became medical director of Cambridge and Peterborough Foundation Trust. This is an NHS psychiatric service providing care to the population of Peterborough and Cambridge. As medical… Read more
Dr Olivia Doughty
Psychologist
London, Midlands, Wales and West Country
Dr Olivia Doughty is a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience working within the NHS and social care settings with adults, young people and their families. She specialises in court cases… Read more
Dr Marion Bates
Psychologist
London, South East, South West
Dr Marion Bates is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years experience in the NHS, forensic and prison settings. She specialises in the assessment of parents with personality disorder,… Read more
Dr Rachael Wheatley
Psychologist
Nottinghamshire & Surrounding Counties
Dr Rachael Wheatley is a HCPC Registered Practitioner (Forensic) Psychologist and a BPS Chartered Psychologist, with full membership of the Division of Forensic Psychology. Dr Wheatley is on the current… Read more
Dr Amy Aston
Psychologist
Midlands
Dr Aston’s primary interest is in the assessment and treatment of psychological trauma, including PTSD and complex trauma. She also has interest and experience in working with risk and forensic… Read more
Dr Paul Loughlin
Psychiatrist
Sussex and Surrounding Counties
Dr Loughlin prepares reports for personal injury, work related stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, fitness to work, mental capacity issues, Lasting Power of Attorney and Testamentary Capacity. Reports comply with Woolf… Read more
Dr Rashi Negi
Psychiatrist
Staffordshire and Surrounding Counties
Dr Negi is an old age psychiatrist currently working as substantive consultant at Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust since March 2014. She regularly performs risk assessments and management, writes Court reports,… Read more
Dr Abigail McCormack
Psychologist
South West England
Dr McCormack is a Clinical Psychologist and CBT Therapist who has extensive clinical experience within Mental Health across the lifespan and with clients on the Autism Spectrum. She is a… Read more
Dr Ashley Francis
Psychologist
Leicester - Online Only
Dr Francis is a Clinical Psychologist specialising in adult mental health services and chronic pain management services previously in the NHS and now in his own private independent practice. He… Read more
Dr Stephen Smith
Psychologist
Edinburgh + 5 hours
Dr Stephen Smith has been working in the field of Adult Mental Health since 2013, specialising in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of moderate to severe mental health disorders including… Read more
Dr Kevin Wright
Psychologist
London and Surrounding Counties
Dr Wright is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist and independent social worker with over 40 years of experience. He has worked extensively with children and families as an expert witness psychologist,… Read more
Dr Rosemary Gomes
Psychologist
Currently remote only
Dr Rosemary Gomes is a family specialist working with both parents and children therapeutically and within family proceedings in court. In her NHS work she has specialised in working with… Read more
Dr Matthew Kurian
Psychiatrist
Wolverhampton and Surrounding Counties
Dr Kurian has over 25 years’ experience preparing medico-legal reports. He commenced Psychiatric training in 1980 in the Rotational Training Scheme of Coventry Hospitals. After gaining Membership of the Royal… Read more
Dr Arun Gupta
Psychiatrist
North East
Dr Gupta has been a psychiatrist since 1984 and CBT Therapist since 2006. He specialises in assessment and management of ADHD in adults. He has been assessing and treating patients… Read more
Dr Michael Woodcock
Psychologist
London and Southern Home Counties
Dr Woodcock is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health Care Professionals Council, and has experience of working across both inpatient and community NHS services. He specialises in the… Read more
Dr Charlotte Piper
Psychologist
Manchester and Surrounding Counties
Dr Charlotte Piper is a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with experience across forensic, neurodevelopmental, and early intervention in psychosis services. She has worked in both NHS and independent settings, including secure… Read more
Dr Alexandra Antonesei
Psychologist
London and surrounding counties
Dr Antonesei works as a full-time clinical psychologist in private practice with adults with (chronic and severe) mental health issues (mainly) related to trauma and neurodivergence. She runs clinical mental… Read more
Ms Astri Elisa Gutierrez Arvidsson
Psychologist
Ms Gutierrez Arvidsson is an HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist with over five years of post-qualification experience across NHS, private healthcare and independent practice in the UK and Sweden. She is… Read more
Mental Health Tribunal News
Glossary.
- CTO
- – Community Treatment Order
- MHA
- – Mental Health Act 1983
- Nature and degree
- – The clinical test applied to a mental disorder in detention decisions
- Sectioned
- – Detained for assessment or treatment under the MHA