Queensland Health Court Liaison Service

Chief Psychiatrist policy

This page includes information about the following Chief Psychiatrist policy.

This policy is mandatory for all authorised mental health services (AMHSs). An authorised doctor, authorised mental health practitioner, AMHS administrator, or other person performing a function or exercising a power under the Mental Health Act 2016 must comply with this policy.

You can also find additional fact sheets, forms and resources that are available for this policy under the relevant subtopics on this page.

About the service

The Court Liaison Service supports the Magistrates Court with the:

• identification, assessment and referral of people with mental illness within police watch houses and the courts
• provision of advice regarding issues of unsoundness of mind, fitness for trial, and treatment needs.

The Court Liaison Service is part of Queensland Health.

Read our Role of the Court Liaison Service in the Magistrates Court fact sheet (PDF 127 kB) to learn more.

Support for people charged with offences

If a person has been charged with an offence and has or may have a mental illness or intellectual disability, they may be referred to see the Court Liaison Service.

A Court Liaison Officer, who will be a psychologist, psychiatrist, nurse, social worker or occupational therapist, will talk to the person about their mental illness or intellectual disability.

The Court Liaison Officer will make an assessment regarding the person's mental condition which may include an assessment of their state of mind at the time of allegedly committing an offence and fitness for trial.

The Court Liaison Officer may refer a person to a care provider or an authorised mental health service (AMHS) for treatment and care.

They may also prepare a report for the Magistrates Court which will provide advice about the person's mental illness or intellectual disability and may provide advice in relation to unsoundness of mind and fitness for trial.