Vision statement
"To assist the court with clear pathways for people with mental health/intellectual disability issues."

Mission statement
"To provide timely assessment, advice, intervention, liaison and care co-ordination for people appearing before the court with mental health and/or intellectual disability issues."

Values

• Communication: In all our dealings, clear, accurate and professional communication is vital
• Diversity: We value diversity because it enhances our education and because it provides tools to be culturally respectful, professionally competent and civically responsible
• Excellence: We consciously set standards for excellence and take steps to achieve them. We are aware that the only criterion for success is excellence
• Integrity: We conduct ourselves with uncompromising integrity and honesty as individuals, as a team and as an organisation
• Partnership: Working in partnership is paramount in all that we do, in our relationships with clients, with stakeholders and with each other
• Presence: We always maintain a high profile by being visible, accessible, professional and approachable in the workplace
• Respect: We show respect to all people without regard to race, religion or gender, and treat each individual with human dignity
• Transparency: All our actions and decisions on an ongoing basis must be ethical and able to withstand public scrutiny
• Uniqueness: We provide value to our clients in ways no one else can.
   

Regional coverage

The region covered by Regional Forensic Psychiatry Services - Court Liaison, includes the Auckland High Court, the District Courts at Pukekohe, Papakura, Manukau, Auckland, North Shore and Waitakere. It also covers the District Courts in the Northland region; Whangarei, Dargaville, Kaikohe and Kaitaia. 

Court liaison nurses provide an initial assessment of offenders or alleged offenders appearing before the Courts where there are questions about the alleged offenders fitness to stand trial by reason of mental impairment. Court liaison nurses will also identify whether the defendant has a significant likelihood of an intellectual disability, and if so, to refer to, and liaise with, agencies who can support that person.

Initial assessments are furnished to the Court with a written summary and recommendations.

Court Liaison facilitates appropriate access to formal psychiatric or psychological reports pursuant to Section 38 Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003.

Court ordered psychiatric reports are made available to the Court, and report writers are available at future legal junctures to provide expert evidence.

Court liaison nurses also have a role in diversion of persons into Mental Health Act processes through statutory authority as Duly Authorised Officers (DAO) under the Mental Health Act (MHA). Court liaison nurses liaise with other agencies located at the Court such as community probation and the police as well as providing a link to community based services such as general mental health services.

The general objectives of Court liaison are:

• To provide liaison and consultation with Courts, corrections, police, community mental health services and community agencies on matters of mental health and management of associated problems within the identified agency
• To act as a mental health resource and provide an advisory role for co-ordination of health care (as it relates to mental health issues)
• To provide informal written assessments for the Court on whether a defendant is fit to be placed before it, if they are suffering from a mental illness and/or a intellectual disability, and whether they pose a risk to self or others. 

Contact

Northland

Whangarei District Court	Phone (09)983-5460  Fax (09) 438-5704
Dargaville District Court	(09) 439-3160
Kaikohe District Court	(09) 401-5020
Kaitaia District Court	(09) 408-9060

Auckland

Auckland District Court	Phone (09) 916-9169  Fax (09) 916-9069
North Shore District Court	Phone (09) 916-5763  Fax (09) 916-5817
Manukau District Court	Phone (09) 916-2653  Fax (09) 916-2619
Papakura District Court	As for Manukau DC
Pukekohe District Court	As for Manukau DC
Waitakere District Court	Phone (09) 916-5249  Fax (09) 837-7934