Clinical Neuropsychology plays a significant role in the Australian legal system.
Neuropsychologists have for many years provided expert opinion in civil personal injury claims, particularly in terms of the impact of transport and work related head injuries on memory, cognition and behaviour.
Neuropsychological opinions may also be sought in other civil matters, as examples, in guardianship and administration disputes, discrimination in education claims, family law disputes, and employment matters. Neuropsychologists contribute to the assessment of competence to practise in the health professions, regulated by AHPRA. Neuropsychologists make significant contributions in the field of sports concussion. Neuropsychologists also contribute expert opinions in criminal jurisdictions.
There is the potential for neuropsychologists, as a health professionals, to themselves be the subject of legal and/or regulatory proceedings.
Issues to be reviewed in this presentation will include: the role of an expert; the provision of evidence; considerations in the different legal jurisdictions; and the neuropsychologist as a defendant.