Issues related to psychological and psychosocial expertise: judges' point of view

Child custody assessments (CCA) are determinant pieces of evidence in judicial decision making. However, no Canadian study has yet to clarify judges' points of view on CCAs. As part of this study, eight judges of the Quebec Superior Court took part in a qualitative research interview on CCAs. Analysis of the interviews helps describe the context of the request for CCAs and reveals the outcomes expected by judges, the disadvantages of CCAs, judges' expectations with respect to experts' conducts, as well as their perceptions of issues related to this field of practice. The results of this study support reflections regarding the challenges and issues faced by social workers and psychologists working in the psychojudicial services sector. The results also reveal the tensions that can arise between the responsibilities of judicial officers and their professional duties, as well as the importance of offering training in this area of practice and of promoting it.