Court Expert (Expert Witness)

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Office of the Tribunal is seeking a compassionate and skilled professional to serve as a Court Expert in marriage nullity cases. The Court Expert serves as a technical/clinical consultant to the Tribunal. This role is essential in helping the Church understand the human story behind a marriage by using psychological expertise to help a Judge determine if a person had the emotional and mental capacity to enter into a valid marriage at the time of their wedding.

As a Court Expert, you provide a professional "bridge" to translate complex psychological data into actionable reports. You will provide a vital service that helps individuals find clarity and closure through a collaborative, truth-seeking judicial process. This is a unique opportunity to apply your clinical skills within a meaningful, mission-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Review Case Files: Read through written testimonies and the history of a marriage to identify patterns in behavior or personality.
• Conduct Interviews: Occasionally meet with parties to listen to their story and assess their current and past mental state.
• Write Clear Reports: Synthesize complex histories into a narrative report that explains why certain conditions or traits impacted the ability to handle the pressures of marriage.
• Explain Complex Ideas: Act as an educator for court staff regarding personality disorders and how they affect human choices.
• Collaborate: Work as part of a team with judges and court staff to ensure every case is handled with both truth and compassion.

Job Functions

• In marriage cases heard on the grounds of Defect of Discretion, the judge should use the assistance of an expert to determine, among other things, whether a mental health condition is actually present, what specific diagnosis should be assigned to it, and what its impact on the person might be, especially concerning the marital relationship.
• The Court Expert will, most often, have access to the acts of a case and be asked to assess the Petitioner and/or Respondent and the case information and submit a report. An interview with one of the Parties may be necessary and so the Court Expert must have some clinical experience in order to interview and assess the Party.
• The report of the Court Expert must include the method and manner they used to conduct their investigation, the scientific method used to reach conclusions, the arguments for the conclusions reached by the expert, etc.
• The Court Expert will also be asked to describe traits of certain personality disorders and how these would affect the ability to form consent. The Judge or other court officials may always ask the Court Expert for a professional opinion regarding a specific disorder.
• The Court Expert is to agree to participate in Tribunal training and get a deep understanding of marriage cases and Tribunal work. The Court Expert must possess honesty and ecclesial integrity which allows for an appreciation of the purpose of the ecclesiastical marriage nullity trial.
• The Court Expert will work closely with the Moderator of the Tribunal as well as with the judge assigned to the case. They will interact also with the case instructor assigned to the case. The Court Expert must have strong computer skills, excellent grammar and spelling, and ability to write well. The Court Expert must be a team worker with excellent skills in interpersonal communication.

Qualifications

• Respect for and awareness of the Catholic Church's teachings on marriage and a commitment to the mission of the Tribunal.
• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree and State Licensure (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or Licensed Psychologist) are strongly preferred to meet the expert testimony standards of the Tribunal Court.
• Experience in counseling and an interpersonal skillset designed for sensitive interviews.
• Proven ability in argumentative writing (the ability to move beyond clinical shorthand to build a logical, written case).
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is highly preferred; must demonstrate competency regarding Hispanic cultural.
• A willingness to attend additional training in Tribunal matters and Canon Law (Church law) applications.
• Successful completion of criminal background and reference checks, and completion of Diocese-sponsored Safe Environment Training, are conditions of employment.