Tribunals

Valerie specialises in mental health cases. Since 2004 she has sat as a part-time First Tier Tribunal Judge (Mental Health) where she sits as an appointed panel member on child and adolescent cases.

She regularly represents the Responsible Authority at First Tier Tribunal hearings in relation to restricted cases involving patients convicted of serious sexual offences, murder or manslaughter.

Cases involve the need to cross-examine independent experts instructed by the patient, including challenging the evidence on diagnosis and/or whether the patient should continue to be detained in a high or medium security hospital. Valerie is often called upon because of her skill at cross-examining expert witnesses, and her ability to elicit evidence about patients’ dangerousness.

Valerie has also acted for the Responsible Authority before the Upper Tribunal.

She contributed to the consultation paper for proposed changes to the legislation regarding unfitness to plead on behalf of the Bar Council and the Criminal Bar Association. She has responded on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association and South Eastern Circuit to consultations by the Crown Prosecution Service and Sentencing Council on mental health issues.