Get ready to step into the courtroom and sharpen your skills as a mental health expert witness in this interactive workshop.

Many mental health professionals understand the theory of expert witness work, but far fewer have had the opportunity to practice these skills in a realistic setting. This immersive two-day workshop is designed to bridge that gap by offering a fully simulated court experience within the prestigious Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh.

Led by Dr Ahmad Allam, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, alongside Bruce Langlands, Senior Advocate and Director of Training and Education at the Faculty of Advocates, the workshop will take participants through the full process of expert witness work.

What you'll learn:

Master courtroom etiquette - navigate the specific protocols and formalities of the Scottish Courts with professional poise.

Handle cross-examination with precision - develop techniques to remain objective, calm, and consistent when facing a range of cross-examination tactics.

Translate clinical complexity - explain complex clinical concepts accessibly to a Judge or Jury without compromising clinical integrity.

The art of pre-trial preparation - conduct effective pre-trial consultations with legal teams to ensure your evidence is presented clearly and logically.

Video-assisted self-review - use recorded footage of your own testimony to identify and address non-verbal cues, filler language, or defensive posturing that can undermine expert credibility.

Who should attend?

This workshop is designed for clinicians with a working knowledge of the foundations of expert witness work in Scotland who are ready to develop and stress-test their skills in practice. It is suitable for:

Psychiatrists – including specialist residents, SAS doctors, and consultants

Psychologists – including trainee and qualified clinical or forensic psychologists

Other mental health professionals involved in medico-legal expert witness work

Places are limited to 10 delegates to ensure the quality of feedback and the fidelity of the simulation experience.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided on the day.

Trainers

Dr Ahmad Allam MB BCh, MRCPsych, MAcadMEd, PGDip Medical Education

Dr Allam is an NHS Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist with a private clinical practice encompassing second opinion and expert witness services. He also holds an honorary post as Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. He led the development of an expert witness simulation workshop delivered in partnership with Scottish Law Schools, which has since been formally integrated into the national training programme for Scottish forensic psychiatry residents.

Bruce Langlands, Senior Advocate - Faculty of Advocates

Bruce is instructed by pursuers and defenders in all areas of personal injury litigation, with a predominant focus on medical negligence, historical child abuse, sexual harassment, and other similar claims.

He maintains a practice in general personal injury litigation, including road traffic, employers’ liability, occupiers’ liability, and public liability. In addition, he has acted for pursuers and defenders in claims for damages arising from breaches of data protection legislation.

As well as personal injury litigation, Bruce also represents parties in fitness to practice proceedings, such as those before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service and the Scottish Social Services Council. He also has experience of Fatal Accident Inquiries.

Bruce is the Faculty’s Director of Training and Education, giving him responsibility for the provision of advocacy training to all members of Faculty as well as those training to become advocates. He has extensive experience of teaching advocacy skills both domestically and internationally.

Please note: the refund policy for this event is 7 days before. No refunds will be processed after the event has taken place.

Description supplied by the event organiser.