[Medicine and law. Legal aspects of the epilepsies]

In this paper we review the relation between epilepsy and the law, more precisely with regard to penal and civil law. Since the new Spanish penal code came into effect in 1996, and especially in view of recent advances in medical knowledge, it is important for doctors and lawyers to make an effort to develop a language which is common to both professions. We particularly refer to the psychiatric comorbidity of epilepsy, especially the association between violence and epilepsy, in the context of psychotic changes in epilepsy. The subject is still under discussion. In the future a consensus must be reached between all the professions involved to ensure correct practice when managing the psychiatric comorbidity of epilepsy.