East of England School of Psychiatry Forensic Psychiatry Training Day
Criminal Justice Process Workshop at the Peterborough Combined Court
(for East of England Psychiatry Higher and Core Resident Doctors only)
The Criminal Justice process and expert report writing
“From a homicide in a Psychiatric ward to a Crown Court murder trial”
Date: Thursday 16th October 2025 from 09:30 to 16:00
Venue: Peterborough Combined Court, Crown Building, Rivergate, Peterborough PE1 1EJ
Lead: Dr Nick Hallett nick.hallett@nhs.net
The East of England School of Psychiatry has kind permission from His Honour Judge Spinks to hold this event at Peterborough Combined court.
Professor Keith Rix will be providing a teaching session on Court procedure and report writing.
The morning will consist of a dramatic unfolding of the Criminal Justice Process, beginning with a homicide in a Psychiatric ward and ending in a Crown Court murder trial, complete with outrageous costumes, fake blood, handcuffs and real horse-hair wigs. No acting talent is needed, just the ability to read from a script and a sense of fun. Do come prepared to participate.
In the afternoon, you will take part in a report-writing exercise and learn what a Psychiatrist needs to do to ensure that when the Court needs their assistance they are as helpful as possible. Please bring paper and writing materials.
Professor Keith Rix is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and former Visiting Consultant Psychiatrist at HM Prison, Leeds. He established the Leeds Magistrates’ Court Mental Health Assessment and Diversion Scheme and the city’s forensic psychiatry service. He has provided expert evidence to the courts for over 40 years, including evidence on a pro bono basis in capital cases in the Caribbean and Africa, and he is an editor of Rix’s Expert Psychiatric Evidence (2nd ed.) and lead author of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ report ‘Responsibilities of psychiatrists who provide expert evidence to courts and tribunals’. He is now Visiting Professor of Medical Jurisprudence, School of Medicine, University of Chester, and Honorary Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist in the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
Places have been funded for EoE Psychiatry Resident Doctors and there are 25 places on a first come first served basis.