Mental Health Views

Dr Katy Briffa

Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist

Expert Witness | Medico-Legal Reports

Dr Katy Briffa is a Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who specialises in the diagnosis and management of mental disorders.

She has worked extensively with health and social care practitioners, Ministry of Defence service personnel and veterans, asylum seekers and refugees and the general public.

She is an established psychiatric expert witness, with extensive experience of providing expert witness reports since 2010.

Dr Briffa achieved her Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificate in civil proceedings from Cardiff University, in 2017. She is an Approved Clinician and Section 12(2) approved under the Mental Health Act. She has given verbal evidence in Mental Health Act Tribunals.

Dr Briffa is a reliable, hard-working clinician, with utmost integrity, and a continuous goal to strive for excellence in each and every piece of work.

Please note all consultations are offered online, with clients anywhere in the UK at the time of the assessment.

Your claimant/defendant/joint instructions are welcome, in civil law, in the following areas:

• Personal injury

• Employment law (individual and business)

• Military claims

• Immigration and human rights

• Clinical negligence (community/outpatient services)

• Public and housing law

Please note that we are unable to undertake Legal Aid work at this time.

What might you be able to focus on with a personal injury or clinical negligence report?

Typically, you may instruct Dr Briffa to focus on whether there is a psychiatric condition, and if so- causation, prognosis and quantum. Psychiatric diagnoses include a functional impact for example in relationships, education and work. Causation can consider the interface between the condition and for e.g, index events and breach of duty. Prognosis can consider the potential for recovery from the condition, potential timeframe for recovery, disability and work. Dr Briffa can assist with some aspects of quantum, for example potential treatment costs.

What index events might be relevant in a personal injury claim?

There is no exhaustive list. The case may for example, relate to any type of harm, abuse, assault, neglect, discrimination, bullying, harassment.

What might you be able to focus on with an employment law report?

Typically, you may instruct Dr Briffa to focus on whether there is a psychiatric condition and an opinion on disability within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010.

What might you be able to focus on with an immigration law report?

Typically, you may instruct Dr Briffa to focus on whether there is a psychiatric condition, and if so causation, recommended treatment, prognosis, fitness to be detained, fitness to be deported, fitness to fly, any impact of family separation.

Can you help with the new 20 page limit for intermediate track claims?

Please let us know at the point of instruction if the limit shall apply, and we will advise you if we can help the Court, within the page limit. Dr Briffa aims to produce a comprehensive report, written clearly and succinctly.

What can your client expect?

Dr Briffa is a focused and hard-working expert witness. She understands the obligations of the Civil Procedure Rules Part 35 and the different skills required to perform assessment on behalf of the Court- including impartiality whilst ensuring the party being examined is comfortable, understands what they are being asked and encouraged to answer as fully as possible.

What can we offer?

If you are a solicitor and would like to instruct me as an expert witness, please make an enquiry using the button below.