Setting up psychiatric liaison schemes to magistrates' courts: problems and practicalities

Guidelines are set out to aid those wishing to establish psychiatric liaison services to magistrates' courts, as recommended by the Home Office. The account is based upon 20 months' experience of running such a scheme at Clerkenwell magistrates' court in inner London. The practical problems in initiating such a service are explored together with difficulties likely to be encountered in its running. These include questions of personnel, interviewing facilities, relations with other disciplines, legal issues concerning the Mental Health Act and problems encountered in negotiating with catchment area services. Suggestions are given as to how difficulties may be overcome. The future of liaison schemes to magistrates' courts is discussed.