2022-23 Criminal Law CPD Series:

The Work of the Mental Health Review Tribunal

Professional Skills
CPD Points: 1.5

About

Balancing the competing priorities of offenders with mental health diagnoses, the community, and the criminal justice system more broadly, is complicated. At the intersection of those interests sits the Mental Health Review Tribunal. The Tribunal endeavours to acknowledge and respect the dignity, autonomy, diversity and individuality of those whose matters it hears and determines. But how are these outcomes achieved? What are the characteristics of those best-practice features in a rapidly developing criminal justice system? – especially as it grapples with growing rates of mental illness and more complex mental health questions. District Court Judge and President of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Paul Lakatos SC considers these questions, as well as the balancing of priorities between the criminal justice system and the health system as a point of focus that is rapidly taking on greater importance and, indeed, engaging more resources. This presentation will assist legal practitioners practising criminal law with an interest in mental health, as well as those practitioners with a lived experience of mental health.

Presenter

Judge Paul Lakatos SC commenced his professional career working as a solicitor for the Aboriginal Legal Service in 1977. He continued his work in the Sydney metropolitan area representing indigent clients with the Public Solicitor’s Office from 1978. In 1982 Judge Lakatos SC led a team of investigators including the AFP, ATO investigators and forensic accountants, investigating bottom of the harbour tax schemes at the Special Prosecutors Office. In 1984 he was admitted as a Barrister, practising in Criminal Law; Administrative Law; Appellate Law; Coronial inquiries and before ICAC and the Police Integrity Commission – and as counsel assisting ICAC and the State Coroner. In 2005, Judge Lakatos was appointed as senior counsel and, in 2008, was appointed as a Judge of the District Court of NSW. Judge Paul Lakatos SC commenced as the President of the Mental Health Review Tribunal in 2019, where he oversees its functions. He also sits on Tribunal hearings in both forensic and civil jurisdictions. Most recently, he was appointed an ICAC Commissioner. This appointment will take effect in mid-September 2022.