Since the introduction of mental cruelty as grounds for divorce in Canada, psychiatrists have become involved as expert witnesses in divorce cases. While the psychiatrist should decline when it conflicts with his ethics, personal and professional reputation, it is possible and desirable for him to distinguish when there is just reason for giving testimony. The practical assessment list provided may be useful for this purpose.
References
1.
BohannanPaul: “Divorce and After” in The Six Stations of Divorce. Editor: Paul Bohannan, Garden City, New York, Doubleday & Co., 1970.
2.
Department of Justice, Central Divorce Registry, Ottawa.
3.
A Digest of Cases under the Divorce Act of Canada. Eds:. KowarskyJ. B. and StephensH. A.. Vancouver, K. S. Publishing Co., 1969.
4.
Divorce Act, Statistics Canada, C.24, 1967-68.
5.
G.A.P. Report #45 “Confidentiality and Privileged Communication”. In The Practice of Psychiatry, p. 97New York. 2nd Ed. 1966.
6.
G.A.P. Report #45 “Confidentiality and Privileged Communication”. In The Practice of Psychiatry, p. 100, New York, 2nd Ed. 1966.
7.
GravenorColin A.Jr.: The physician as a witness in court.Canadian Doctor, 37. p. 53, 1971.
8.
Knollv. Knoll, 10 D.L.R. (3d)199, 1970.
9.
Lauderv. Lauder 12 D.L.R. (3d) 544, 1970.
10.
MacDonaldJames C.: Canadian Divorce Law and Practice, Toronto, Ont., Carswell & Co. Ltd., 1969.
11.
PaykelE. S., PrusoffB. A. and UhlenhuthE. H.: Scaling of life events, Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 25: 340-347, 1971.
12.
Public Health Service, National Center for Health Statistics, Washington, D.C.Divorce Statistics Analysis1964.
13.
Report of the Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons on Divorce, 1967.
