Handbook

The course provides an introduction into the development of the Australian legal system; legislation, the administration of the law; rules of evidence; contempt of court; the courts and sentencing in Australia. The course provides an overview of Mental Health Legislation in Australia such as relevant sections in the NSW Mental Health Act 1990 and NSW MH (Criminal Procedures) Act 1990. The course also briefly reviews mental health legislation in New Zealand, U..K., Canada and the United States. A summary of the history of forensic psychiatry in England, and America will be provided; crime and its classification; the measurement of crime; social factors in criminal behaviour; mentally disordered offenders.